Cowboys vs Titans final score, 26-10: DeMarco Murray, ground game wins it for Dallas
By Mike Dyce
The Dallas Cowboys were looking to rebound from an embarrassing home loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the season opener. That game was marred by poor play-calling, namely abandoning the run in the red zone, and turn overs.
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The Cowboys would face a Tennessee Titans defense that looked impressive in their opener against the Kansas City Chiefs, one of 2013’s best teams.
Things got off to a slow start and it looked like the Cowboys were going to be in some trouble when wide receiver Dez Bryant went down with a shoulder injury, and eventually went to the locker room. The Cowboys exited the first quarter with a slim three point lead.
The second quarter is when the Cowboys found their groove. On an early drive in the period, the Cowboys got a touchdown from DeMarco Murray after a short four-play, 40-yard drive. Murray had over 100 yards rushing in the first half.
Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey added two more field goals to take a 16-0 lead into the half. The third quarter went to the Titans, as they tried to get back into the game. It started with a field goal from Ryan Succop on the first drive of the half. On their next drive, quarterback Jake Locker threw a 61-yard touchdown strike to tight end Delanie Walker.
The next drive the Cowboys answered, driving 80 yards down the play in 12 yards. Quarterback Tony Romo found Dez Bryant for a three-yard touchdown pass.
The next drive for the Titans didn’t go so well. They were in Dallas territory and Locker threw a pass to Walker again, but it ended up in the hands of Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain, who made a remarkable bobbling interception. The Cowboys challenged the play after it was initially ruled incomplete, and were awarded the ball, stopping a Titans drive.
That interception set up a long 11 play, 38-yard drive. The Cowboys couldn’t get seven points though and settled for another Dan Bailey field goal, taking a 13 point lead.
The Titans were down by two scores and needed to get back into the game. They drove 74 yards down the field to get a first and goal situation from the Cowboys’ six-yard line. Locker threw four straight incompletions, though the one on third down looked like it was a touchdown reception by Nate Washington, but the play was challenged and reversed.
The Cowboys got the ball on the six yard line and pretty much ran the ball straight up the field to end the game. On an 11-play 40 yard drive, the Cowboys didn’t throw a single pass. After six plays the Cowboys pulled Murray, who had 167 yards rushing, and subbed in Lance Dunbar to run out the clock for the rest of the game, winning 26-10.