The Jason Garrett era in Dallas has been defined by excruciating, inexplicable losses. At times it feels like the Cowboys are constructing games carefully in order to inflict the most pain on their fans and themselves.
It's going to be tough to top Sunday's loss.
On NFL Network
NFL Replay
will re-air the
Green Bay Packers' 37-36 win over the
Dallas Cowboys from Week 15 on Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 9 p.m. ET.
The Green Bay Packers overcame a 23-point halftime deficit to stun the Cowboys 37-36 in the house that Jerry Jones built. The result was mind-numbing in so many ways:
- The Packers scored touchdowns on all five of their second-half possessions before kneeling the ball at the end of the game. A reminder: Matt Flynn remains their quarterback.
- The Cowboys set a franchise record with 332 yards in the first half, jumped out to a 26-3 advantage -- and they still lost.
- Dallas took a 12-point lead with just over eight minutes left after one of the greatest touchdown catches you will ever see by wide receiver Dez Bryant. And they still managed to lose.
- Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was intercepted on Dallas' final two drives. He made a terrible throw on a pass to Miles Austin that set up the Packers to take the lead. (Give Packers cornerback Sam Shields a ton of credit for making a terrific play, but it was a brutal throw and decision by Romo.) On Romo's next interception, there was a miscommunication with slot receiver Cole Beasley.
- Everyone will kill Cowboys coach Jason Garrett for throwing the ball so much late in the game. But Romo had two chances to end the game and he missed throws. If he completes a deep pass to an open Dez Bryant on the second-to-last drive, the Cowboys win the game. He underthrew Bryant.
On Romo's first interception, Miles Austin was open for a huge gain. Romo was pressured and made a bad throw. This was more about execution than coaching.
- Romo had a run-pass option on the throw to Austin.
"I think he'll be the first one to tell you he probably should have run the ball in that situation," coach Jason Garrett said after the game.
Green Bay, meanwhile, is very much alive in the NFC North race at 7-6-1. If quarterback Aaron Rodgers could somehow return next week, the Packers could wind up winning their last two games and getting into the playoffs.
After seeing Flynn direct five consecutive touchdown drives, anything is possible.
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