Seahawks-Cowboys game thread

Published 2:11 pm Sunday, October 12, 2014

Big special teams play gives Seattle a 10-0 lead

The Seahawks put together a pretty nice opening drive, which included a 53-yard pass to Jermaine Kearse, but the drive stalled out in the red zone and they had to settle for a field goal.

Seattle wouldn’t have to wait long for a touchdown, however, because after forcing a Dallas punt, Doug Baldwin blocked the punt and Mike Morgan returned it for a touchdown. The Seahawks had a pretty cool play design on the block, with Baldwin starting out lined up wide to block a gunner, then right before the snap he slid inside and came off the line completely unblocked.

Cowboys answer, make it 10-7

Well, you’ve got to give Tony Romo and the Cowboys credit for showing some resiliency. After Romo took a big hit on the last play of the previous drive and was slow to get up, he was back and led an 80-yard scoring drive that ended on a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Gavin Escobar.

On that drive, backup running back Joseph Randle had a 38-yard run that was not only the longest run against the Seahawks this year, it matched the most an opposing runner has gained in an entire game against Seahawks (Montee Ball, Denver).

Cowboys tie it, and injuries are piling up for Seattle D

After the Seahawks pinned the Cowboys deep with a Jon Ryan punt, Dallas answered with a 15-play, 71-yard drive that took 9:45 and ended on a field goal to make it 10-10. Worse for Seattle, they’re now playing without Byron Maxwell, who hurt his ankle breaking up what might have been a touchdown pass to Dez Bryant, as well as Bobby Wagner, who has a foot injury. Both are questionable to return.

Those injuries have meant playing time for undrafted rookie Brock Coyle, as well as safety Steven Terrell, who they just signed off their practice squad yesterday. Terrell played nickel with usual nickel corner Marcus Burley playing on the outside in Maxwell’s spot.

Cowboys lead 17-10 at half

Other than the blocked punt, the Cowboys have been dominating Seattle. After another long scoring drive, the Cowboys are up 17-10 at halftime, and have a 234-83 advantage in yards, 15-3 in first downs (Seattle had none in the second quarter) and 20:05-9:55 in time of possession.

Marshawn Lynch had just two carries in that half, something I’d guess we’ll see change in the second half. The Seahawks will also need to adjust how they’re getting the ball to Percy Harvin, because so far the Cowboys have sniffed out pretty much everything going his way. Harvin has two catches for minus 5 yards and one run for -1.

One note, Richard Sherman is shadowing Dez Bryant now with Maxwell out of the game.

As as the second half gets going, a bit of good news for Seattle, Bobby Wagner is back on the field with the defense.

Dallas miscues give Seattle 20-10 lead

The Cowboys were dominant for much of the first half, but a couple of miscues quickly undid much of that good work. First, punt returner Dwayne Harris muffed a punt and Kevin Pierre-Louis recovered, giving Seattle a short field. The Seahawks capitalized, tying the game on a 9-yard Russell Wilson run. Luke Willson had a key block on that play to help spring his quarterback.

On the ensuing Dallas possession, Tony Romo was hit in the knee by a snap he wasn’t ready for, and Jordan Hill recovered. The Seahawks couldn’t do much from there, but still kicked a field goal to take a 20-17 lead.

So basically, including the first-half blocked punt, Cowboys miscues have led to 17 of Seattle’s 20 points.

Cowboys tie it with a 56-yard field goal

So, that Dan Bailey has a pretty good leg, huh? The game is now tied 20-20 thanks to a 56-yard field goal that had plenty of room to spare.

The Cowboys got into field goal range thanks to a 47-yard pass to Terrance Williams. Williams was being covered by Marcus Burley, who is playing as an outside corner in place of an injured Byron Maxwell.

Seahawks turn short field in to 23-20 lead

Following a good stand by the Seahawks defense, Seattle got a short field, and while the offense again struggled to get much going, a few Marshawn Lynch runs were enough for Steven Hauschka, who drilled a 48-yard field goal.

Lots of time left though, so the defense will need to come up with another stop.

Cowboys win 30-23

As usual, sorry for the lack of updates late, but as I’m sure you saw, the Cowboys came back to win, thanks in large part to a spectacular play that allowed the Cowboys to convert on 3rd-and-20 on the go-ahead drive.

Back with more after we hear from Pete Carroll and the players.