Adversity is a word NFL fans hear all of the time. Coaches and players always talk about how good teams overcome adversity and find ways to win. All season long, the Dallas Cowboys have overcome adversity have become legitimate playoff contenders. As if losing five starters to Injured Reserve wasn’t hard enough, last Sunday against the Bengals, the Cowboys found a way to win, despite the untimely death of 25 year old teammate Jerry Brown.
After Dan Bailey’s game winning field goal went through the uprights, Cowboys teammates emotionally celebrated on the field with Brown’s #53 jersey. When asked about his feelings after the game, Cowboys fullback and good friend of Jerry Brown, Lawrence Vickers told reporters: “I rarely let my emotions get the best of me…Today they did, but this was the place to do it.”
Vickers couldn’t have been more right. The Cowboys found out about Brown’s tragic death on Saturday, minutes before they were expected to fly to Cincinnati. Nevertheless, the Cowboys overcame a 9 point fourth quarter deficit in a hostile Paul Brown Stadium. It was a very impressive win for a team that has had trouble closing out games.
This Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers will make their first trip to Jerry World. Both the Steelers and Cowboys possess 7-6 records and are fighting for their playoff lives. However, if the playoffs started tomorrow, the Steelers would be in and the Cowboys wouldn’t.
For the Cowboys, running the football should be a priority. Since DeMarco Murray has returned from his foot sprain, he has provided the Cowboys offense with some sense of balance. To put it into perspective, in the six games Murray was out, Romo averaged 44 pass attempts per game. He had three games where he attempted at least 50 passes (62,50,62 attempts). The Cowboys were (1-2) in those three games and (3-3) overall with Murray on the sidelines.
Since Murray’ return, he has 44 carries for 136 yards and 2 touchdowns. Romo has averaged 35 pass attempts per game. More importantly, the Cowboys are (2-0).
Expect this Sunday afternoon’s game between the Steelers and Cowboys to come down to the wire. Like the Cowboys, the Steelers have been bitten by the injury bug. This year they have played games without Big Ben, Rashard Mendenhall, Troy Polumalu, and rookie offensive lineman David DeCastro. With that being said, this game is sure to be full of adversity. The team that does its best to overcome it will, come out on top and be one step closer to the playoffs.
