Jaguars-Cowboys: A look ahead
By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News
Why the Cowboys win
A year ago, San Diego was coming off a 12-4 season with a hot running back and quarterback duo and a solid defense, but the Cowboys returned home with a win. Last year, the Jaguars finished 12-4. They have a talented runner (Fred Taylor) and quarterback (Byron Leftwich) and a solid defense, but the Cowboys have had an impressive preseason, especially defensively. That's the difference: Dallas' defense makes the plays to win the game late.
Why the Cowboys lose
The Jaguars are 4-2 in season openers at Alltel Stadium, including a 26-14 win against eventual NFC champion Seattle last year. When the Cowboys signed Drew Bledsoe last year, they made a point of mentioning they had to be stout on the interior of the offensive line. Jacksonville brings Marcus Stroud and John Henderson to the table, perhaps the best defensive tackle pairing in the league. Not only are they factors in the run, but they can cause problems in the passing game. Center Andre Gurode will be tested.
The last meeting
Cowboys 21, Jaguars 18 (Nov. 24, 2002, at Texas Stadium): In Chad Hutchinson's fourth career start, the quarterback threw for 301 yards, the second-most in team history by a rookie, and had two touchdown strikes to Joey Galloway. The first was a quick slant to Galloway in the second quarter for 43 yards, and the second was an 11-yard throw in the fourth quarter to give the Cowboys a 21-12 lead. The Jaguars drove to the Dallas 1 on their next drive, but running back Fred Taylor fumbled at the goal line, and cornerback Mario Edwards recovered for the touchback. In the third quarter, the Cowboys put together a 13-play, 99-yard drive that ate up 7:05 and was capped by a 1-yard Emmitt Smith touchdown run. Smith finished with 73 yards on 20 carries, but Galloway and Hutchinson were the offensive stars. Galloway finished with seven catches for 144 yards and two scores, and Hutchinson completed 16 of 24 passes for 301 yards. Click here for the game story.
Why the Cowboys win
A year ago, San Diego was coming off a 12-4 season with a hot running back and quarterback duo and a solid defense, but the Cowboys returned home with a win. Last year, the Jaguars finished 12-4. They have a talented runner (Fred Taylor) and quarterback (Byron Leftwich) and a solid defense, but the Cowboys have had an impressive preseason, especially defensively. That's the difference: Dallas' defense makes the plays to win the game late.
Why the Cowboys lose
The Jaguars are 4-2 in season openers at Alltel Stadium, including a 26-14 win against eventual NFC champion Seattle last year. When the Cowboys signed Drew Bledsoe last year, they made a point of mentioning they had to be stout on the interior of the offensive line. Jacksonville brings Marcus Stroud and John Henderson to the table, perhaps the best defensive tackle pairing in the league. Not only are they factors in the run, but they can cause problems in the passing game. Center Andre Gurode will be tested.
The last meeting
Cowboys 21, Jaguars 18 (Nov. 24, 2002, at Texas Stadium): In Chad Hutchinson's fourth career start, the quarterback threw for 301 yards, the second-most in team history by a rookie, and had two touchdown strikes to Joey Galloway. The first was a quick slant to Galloway in the second quarter for 43 yards, and the second was an 11-yard throw in the fourth quarter to give the Cowboys a 21-12 lead. The Jaguars drove to the Dallas 1 on their next drive, but running back Fred Taylor fumbled at the goal line, and cornerback Mario Edwards recovered for the touchback. In the third quarter, the Cowboys put together a 13-play, 99-yard drive that ate up 7:05 and was capped by a 1-yard Emmitt Smith touchdown run. Smith finished with 73 yards on 20 carries, but Galloway and Hutchinson were the offensive stars. Galloway finished with seven catches for 144 yards and two scores, and Hutchinson completed 16 of 24 passes for 301 yards. Click here for the game story.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:55 PM
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