Slow-starting Cowboys pile up points after first quarter
IRVING, Texas (AP) -While the Dallas Cowboys are the NFL's second-highest scoring team, they are slow starters.
Through six games, the Cowboys still haven't scored a touchdown in the first quarter. On average, it has taken the Dallas offense 25 1/2 minutes - almost until halftime - to get into the end zone.
"It's kind of like a wet engine," receiver Patrick Crayton said. "We are giving it gas, but it doesn't crank up."
The Cowboys haven't even gotten a first down on an opening drive since going 67 yards on 14 plays in the season opener for a field goal. They went three-and-out and punted on all three of their possessions in the first quarter of last week's 48-27 loss to New England.
"Part of it is we're getting new stuff each week and some of the stuff we call is geared to certain things and we don't get it," quarterback Tony Romo said. "Then we get an idea and we start rolling. ... There's not a perfect answer for this."
Dallas (5-1), which is home against Minnesota on Sunday, has been outscored 65-6 in the first quarter and is tied with Arizona for the fewest points scored.
Seattle (seven) and the New York Giants (nine) are the only other teams with fewer than 10 points in the first quarter. The Giants scored an opening-drive touchdown in Dallas.
"It's more of a mentality. We've just got to be conscious of that," Terrell Owens said. "I think Sunday's game was an indicator. We can't start slow and play catch-up, especially against good teams."
The earliest offensive touchdown Dallas has scored was with 12:09 left in the second quarter against Buffalo.
But once they get going, the Cowboys start piling up the points. Their 203 total points are second only to New England's 230.
"The final result is what's important," coach Wade Phillips said.
Dallas is the league's highest-scoring team in the second (65) and third (69) quarters. And only New England has scored more in the fourth quarter than Dallas' 63. The Cowboys' 132 second-half points are more than 23 teams have scored all season.
Just imagine what might happen if they could score a touchdown or two in the first quarter.
"We almost treat the first drive like a boxing match, trying to get a feel for the defense. You know, jab a little bit, don't throw too many punches," Crayton said. "But we need to come out now throwing a few haymakers, throwing a few right crosses. Forget about testing."
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
Through six games, the Cowboys still haven't scored a touchdown in the first quarter. On average, it has taken the Dallas offense 25 1/2 minutes - almost until halftime - to get into the end zone.
"It's kind of like a wet engine," receiver Patrick Crayton said. "We are giving it gas, but it doesn't crank up."
The Cowboys haven't even gotten a first down on an opening drive since going 67 yards on 14 plays in the season opener for a field goal. They went three-and-out and punted on all three of their possessions in the first quarter of last week's 48-27 loss to New England.
"Part of it is we're getting new stuff each week and some of the stuff we call is geared to certain things and we don't get it," quarterback Tony Romo said. "Then we get an idea and we start rolling. ... There's not a perfect answer for this."
Dallas (5-1), which is home against Minnesota on Sunday, has been outscored 65-6 in the first quarter and is tied with Arizona for the fewest points scored.
Seattle (seven) and the New York Giants (nine) are the only other teams with fewer than 10 points in the first quarter. The Giants scored an opening-drive touchdown in Dallas.
"It's more of a mentality. We've just got to be conscious of that," Terrell Owens said. "I think Sunday's game was an indicator. We can't start slow and play catch-up, especially against good teams."
The earliest offensive touchdown Dallas has scored was with 12:09 left in the second quarter against Buffalo.
But once they get going, the Cowboys start piling up the points. Their 203 total points are second only to New England's 230.
"The final result is what's important," coach Wade Phillips said.
Dallas is the league's highest-scoring team in the second (65) and third (69) quarters. And only New England has scored more in the fourth quarter than Dallas' 63. The Cowboys' 132 second-half points are more than 23 teams have scored all season.
Just imagine what might happen if they could score a touchdown or two in the first quarter.
"We almost treat the first drive like a boxing match, trying to get a feel for the defense. You know, jab a little bit, don't throw too many punches," Crayton said. "But we need to come out now throwing a few haymakers, throwing a few right crosses. Forget about testing."
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
posted by The Gryphon at 7:53 AM
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