Bryant - Game Recaps

It was not a stellar game by any stretch of the imagination for any of the Cowboys. But every facet of their team contributed to this victory over their division rivals, the Washington Redskins.

The Cowboys were held to only 50 total yards rushing. Richie Anderson led with 20 yards, Eddie George contributed an additional 19. Rookie ReShard Lee only had 10. But during the second drive of the game, George made a 1-yard touchdown rush. In the fourth quarter, Richie Anderson was a pivotal part of the offense, when he made 2 receptions and then threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Terry Glenn.

The trio of Terry Glenn, Antonio Bryant, and Keyshawn Johnson combined for 142 receiving yards. Bryant led with his 3 receptions for 63 yards. Terry Glenn drew a questionable defensive pass interference call that set up Eddie George's touchdown rush. In the third quarter, Bryant made a great 48-yard catch, followed by Johnson with his only reception for 23 yards. This set up Vinnie Testaverde's 10-yard touchdown pass to TE Jason Witten.

The Cowboys' defense brought pressure on Mark Brunell and sacked him a total of 5 times. They also held the Redskins at first and goal at the end of the first half and only gave up a field goal.

Washington Redskins

The Redskins who lost last week's games because of turnovers, did not turn the ball over in Monday night's game. They lost this game, primarily due to their slow start. They were forced to punt on their first 5 possessions of the game. Things did not start clicking until the end of the half, when Mark Brunell led them downfield, completing 8 out 10 passes. But they were held at the goal line to only a field goal.

Rod Gardner was the main beneficiary of poor play by Laveranues Coles. Coles started the game as Brunell's favorite target. But as things progressed and Coles dropped balls and broke his routes, Brunell started to look for Gardner. Gardner finished with 10 receptions for 167 yards and scored both touchdowns for Washington. At the end of the game, with the Redskins only down by 3 and 13 seconds left in the game, Gardner made a 46-yard reception to the Redskins' 21-yard line and field goal range. But he was unable to get out of bounds, and time expired.

WHAT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW

Dallas Cowboys

QB: Vinnie Testaverde (14-29-214, 1 TD, 1 for -1 rushing) This was the first game this season that Vinnie Testaverde has not thrown for over 300 yards. It was a relatively quiet game for the veteran quarterback, who completed about half of his passing attempts. During the second drive of the 2nd half, Testaverde was sharp. He connected with Antonio Bryant for a 48-yard deep pass. Then he threw to his favorite target of the game, Keyshawn Johnson for 23 yards. And finished drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to TE Jason Witten.

RB: Eddie George (11-19, 1 TD rushing) With Dallas opening the game with an empty backfield, George ended an 8 year and 2 game starting streak. George's first carry of 11 yards was brought back on a holding penalty. George capitalized on a suspect pass interference call with his 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. George was used sparingly in the game. 7 of his 11 carries and 16 of his 19 yards were in the 4th quarter of play.

Richie Anderson (4-20 rushing, 2-41 receiving on 4 targets, 1-1-26, 1 TD passing) Richie Anderson gained 13 yards on his first carry and the first rush of the game for Dallas. He was the leading rusher for Dallas with his 20 yards on 4 carries. He was a key component of the Cowboy's game winning drive in the 4th quarter. He made 2 back to back receptions for 28 and 13 yards. And then threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Terry Glenn.

ReShard Lee (4-10 rushing) Lee saw his playing time at running back in the 2nd quarter. He was used in two drives. He made a nice carry up the middle to gain 7 yards and a first down. Lee was also utilized as punt returner.

Darian Barnes (1-2 rushing, 2-26 receiving on 2 targets) Barnes made a 12-yard reception in the fourth quarter.

WR: Terry Glenn (3-56, 1 TD receiving on 4 targets) Glenn made a 26-yard reception to start the Cowboys' second drive of the game. On that same drive he was targeted deep in the end zone and the pass was incomplete, but Glenn drew a questionable defensive pass interference call that brought the Cowboys to the 1-yard line and set up Eddie George's rushing touchdown. Glenn was also the recipient of Richie Anderson's touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.

Antonio Bryant (3-63 receiving on 5 targets) Bryant made a great deep catch of 48 yards in the third quarter during their touchdown scoring drive.

Keyshawn Johnson (1-23 receiving on 8 targets) Johnson was Testaverde's leading target, but of the 8 looks that came his way he only made 1 reception for 23 yards. His first target was well into the second quarter and the ball went right through his hands. He saw himself in double coverage throughout the game.

TE: Jason Witten (3-22, 1 TD receiving on 4 targets) Witten caught nearly everything that came his way. He made 2 short back to back catches in the second quarter; and a 10-yard touchdown reception in the third.

Dan Campbell (1-9 receiving on 1 target) Primarily blocking TE Campbell made a 9-yard reception in the 4th quarter to gain a first down for the Cowboys.

K: Billy Cundiff (3 XP) Cundiff converted all 3 extra point attempts.

Pass Defense: Mark Brunell was hurried throughout the game and forced to roll out to attempt passes quite frequently. In the first quarter, Pete Hunter nearly intercepted a deflected pass. It was initially ruled as an interception, but was challenged by Washington and overruled as the football clearly hit the ground and bounced into Hunter's hands.

Rush Defense: The Cowboys sacked Brunell a total of 5 times, twice in a row in the second quarter that forced the Redskins to punt. Greg Ellis and Tony Ellis both contributed 2 sacks a piece. They tightened up at the goal line and prevented the Redskins from scoring a touchdown in the second quarter, only yielding a field goal. In the third quarter, with 4th and 1, Mark Brunell was unable to complete a pass to Clinton Portis, but the Cowboys were called for roughing the passer and the Redskins' drive was extended. Clinton Portis was held to 94 yards.

Washington Redskins

QB: Mark Brunell (25-43-253, 2 TD, 1-0 rushing) Brunell did not start to hit his stride until near the end of the first half when he led the Redskins on a field goal scoring drive. On that drive he completed 8 out of 10 passing attempts for 79 yards. Brunell was hurried throughout the game, and was sacked 5 times. Brunell did fumble the ball once, but it was recovered by Clinton Portis. The second half was much better for Brunell who connected with Rod Gardner twice for touchdowns.

RB: Clinton Portis (23-94 rushing, 3-37 receiving on 3 targets) Clinton Portis opened the game with a 6-yard run up the middle. He had a 4-yard carry brought back on a holding penalty. Though Portis is known for his ability to break a long rush, his longest carry of the game was for 13-yards.

WR: Rod Gardner (10-167, 2 TD receiving on 15 targets) As the game progressed, Gardner became Brunell's favorite target and put in a great game. In the 3rd quarter he made a 1-yard touchdown reception. And then in the 4th quarter, he made a 49-yard reception over his shoulder. And on the next play made a 15-yard touchdown reception. With just seconds left in the game, Gardner made a 46-yard reception to the Redskins' 21-yard line, but was unable to get out of bounds, and time expired.

Laveranues Coles (5-42 receiving on 14 targets) Brunell looked for Coles often in the first half of the game. He juggled a 10-yard reception but amazingly kept his feet in bounds until he gained control of the ball. But after 6 straight incompletions over the span of 2 drives, Brunell started to find other outlets. Coles dropped balls and had them go through his hands. At one point he broke his route, and was overthrown.

James Thrash (4-47 receiving on 5 targets) In the 1st quarter, a pass intended for Thrash was knocked down. Later he made a short catch, and fought to gain 7 yards. He made his remaining 3 receptions in the opening drive of the 3rd quarter.

Taylor Jacobs (1-2 pt. conversion) Jacobs' only contribution to the game was his 2 pt. conversion reception.

TE: Chris Cooley (2-22 receiving on 3 targets) Rookie Cooley made both of his 11-yard receptions during the Redskins' field goal scoring drive of the second quarter. He was targeted in the end zone on that same drive, but was unable to make the catch.

Robert Royal (1-10 receiving on 1 target) TE Royal made his 10-yard reception during the same drive as Cooley's 2 receptions.

K: John Hall (1 XP, 1-1FG) Hall contributed a short 19-yard field goal in the first half of play.

Pass Defense: The Redskins were called for defensive pass interference that gave the Cowboys the ball at the 1-yard line and led to a touchdown. They did hold Testaverde to 214 passing yards and kept Keyshawn Johnson in check throughout the game.

Rush Defense: The Cowboys were only able to rush for 50 yards combined. And like the Redskins, the longest rush for any Cowboy running back was 13 yards. That being said, the Cowboys' rushing attack is still in flux and has yet to develop any rhythm.