Sometimes You Just Win Ugly

He'd said he'd kiss the star if he scored a touchdown. No, make that when he scored a touchdown. He'd said he'd kept quiet long enough. It was time to start running his mouth again. Maybe he should have run it some more. While the rest of the Bengals gave the Cowboys a run for their money, Chad Johnson--oh excuse, me Chad Ocho Cinco--never scored. Three receptions for a measly 43 yards was the best he could do. Terrell Owens, much vilified by the media this week for saying he wanted the ball more, only got two receptions for 67 yards, but one of them...well, you'll see.

It started off looking like another Cowboys rout. Greg Ellis intercepted the ball on the very first Bengals possession, which led to a Nick Folk field goal. Still in the first quarter, the Cowboys channeled Les Miles* a bit, going for it on 4th and 4. They wisely gave the ball to Felix Jones, who not only picked up the first down, but scampered an additional 29 yards for his 4th touchdown in his first 5 games in the NFL.

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Add a quick touchdown pass to Jason Witten at the start of the second quarter, and you have all the makings of the blow out ball game this was supposed to be.

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

But Cincinnati just wouldn't give up. With the help of some key Dallas mistakes--a fumble, an interception, and a couple of way too long kickoff/punt returns, they began clawing and scratching their way back into this game. Sixteen unanswered points brought the Bengals to with 1. In a truly gutsy call, Cincinnati kicks a surprise onside kick that caught everyone on the Cowboys side of the ball just standing there looking. It didn't do them any good, though, as they fumbled the ball away a mere two plays later. Dallas recovered and within a minute, tossed a 57 yard touchdown pass to Terrell Owens, which seemed to give the Cowboys some breathing room.

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

But Cincinnati still wouldn't give up. Another touchdown by the Bengals brought them to within 2 points. Cowboy Keith Davis, filling in for not one, but two injured safeties broke up the two point conversion attempt which would have tied the game, and more importantly returned some of the spark to this sagging Cowboy spirit.

So the Cowboys get the kickoff, and drive all the way down the field, burning nearly 6 minutes off the clock. Now, it's 3rd and 11 on the Cincinnati 15. Tony takes the snap, fakes to Marion Barber, and looks for Miles Austin. The ball is just overthrown, and Miles tips it. Directly into the hands of Patrick Crayton, who makes a one handed miracle grab to score what would be the deciding touchdown.

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

And Tony Romo smiled for the first time that day.

The Bengals would get the ball back one more time, but would be unable to do anything with it. Two sacks later, their drive stalls and Dallas takes over on downs. Tony kneels to finish out the game. And they won. It was a hair pulling, nail biting, cursing up a blue streak, make me turn gray headed win, but it was a win.

Sometimes you just win ugly.


*Les Miles is the head coach at LSU, known for going for it on fourth down. Most famously, during the LSU-Florida game last year, he went for it on fourth down 5 times, and made it all 5 times.

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