Puzzling: Cowboys/Patriots Revisited

I have yet to figure out several things in life. I’m not good with algebra, can openers, and women. I also have a hard time understanding evil. What brings a man to acts of darkness? Is it a lust for gold? Power? What makes a seemingly sweet father of a man throw a deep bomb to Randy Moss? Why does the goodly Tom Brady play for evil?

I am completely dumbfounded by the Dallas Cowboys, as well. On the first two offensive series against the mighty Patriots, Tony Romo and the ‘Boys looked like they couldn’t whip a regional theatre troupe in flag football. Austin’s own Rude Mechanicals are more offensive (depending on your political leanings) than the Cowboys first-quarter running game. Then with two minutes left in the first half, the Red Bull kicks in and the ‘Boys offense becomes splendid, tremendous, and down right impressive throwing the ball to tight end Jason Witten, and wide receiver Terrell Owens.

The offense begins to jive and groove in the second half as the running game explodes on the Pats. Offensive coordinator and former ‘Boys backup quarterback Jason Garrett made specific adjustments at halftime to create mismatches going to speed formations, and using undersized running back Julius Jones to stump the Pats defense.

The Pats have yet to be challenged this season, winning by an average of 17 points going into this game against pathetic foes. And the Cowboys push them. They do their best to mystify. Yet, no amount of adjustment seems to phase the Pats for long, and the fourth quarter was owned by New England. The game becomes a prizefight, and the Cowboys are knocked out. I question if many will figure out how to beat the Patriots this year.

Tom Brady is more than impressive. He is calm, cool, and collected even as the Cowboys took a brief lead in the third quarter. Brady ended the game with a mind-blowing five touchdowns and is my current vote for league MVP. I can’t see this team being contested until November 9 when they travel to Indianapolis for a face-off with the Colts.

Although the Cowboys lost, they still represent the best in the NFC. Keep an eye open for the ‘Boys game against the upstart Redskins on November 18. Hopefully I will have figured out why the Cowboys can’t start strong. Hopefully, they will too. It was a tough loss to the team I call “evil."

I’m just glad the goodly Tom Brady is my fantasy quarterback.

Five Easy Pieces (a quintet of other football matters on my mind)

1) The trade deadline is in a few short days. Just a thought, but why don’t the brain boys in Green Bay offer a draft pick to the ‘Bolts for running back Michael “The Burner” Turner. San Diego will lose him in the offseason anyways, and Green Bay is a runner away from an NFC Super Bowl birth.

2) I think the two tragedies in Denver’s offseason (two players died) have had a lasting impact on this struggling squad.

3) No one is seriously talking about the Colts, but they hammered the Bucs last week with their JV gang. The Colts are playing with a no-frills, no-nonsense way that must make The Pats nervous.

4) Football karma has comeback to kill the Jets season for ratting out the Pats and their cheating ways.

5) It’s official. We can throw dirt on Cincinnati.

Coda: For those of us who watch copious amounts of football; we get the same eight commercials repeated, usually involving airlines, life insurance, automobiles, or brew. One of the more dominating series this past weekend where the new AT&T spots directed by filmmaker and Texan Wes Anderson. Like his flicks, Anderson’s cell phone spots are personal and artistic and make those TV timeouts between blitzes and Hail Mary’s as pleasurable as they can be.