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Rams blow 21-0 lead, lose to Dallas 34-31
• BY JIM THOMAS
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_0bc61781-cfc6-52ab-aba6-1be9f5affde6.html
Quarterback Austin Davis three touchdown passes. The running game was easily at its best this season. But in the end, the Rams couldn't hold a 21-0 first half lead and lost to Dallas 34-31.
It was a bitter pill to swallow for the Rams, who now head into their bye week with a 1-2 record. Their next game is Oct. 5 in Philadelphia.
To no one's surprise, Davis was the starting quarterback Sunday, and he wasted little time getting the Rams moving. For the third time in three games this season, the Rams won the opening coin toss, but this time they decided to receive rather than deferring to the second half.
What followed was a flawlessly executed 80-yard opening drive. Only two of 15 plays went for more than 10 yards, with the longest play a 14-yard reception by Zac Stacy with Davis scrambling under pressure.
Tight end Lance Kendricks capped the drive with a one-yard touchdown catch, with a nifty move to tight-rope the goal-line in the front left corner of the end zone. That marked the first passing TD of the season for the Rams, and the 7-0 lead was the biggest of the young season.
• PHOTOS: Rams collapse vs. Cowboys
The lead grew bigger in the opening half. With the Rams' defense swarming Dallas running back DeMarco Murray, the Rams got the ball back quickly and scored on their next possession.
This time, Davis found Brian Quick deep for a 51-yard TD on the first play of the second quarter, with Quick getting behind Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne. Then it was time for the player known as the "Rabbit" _ Janoris Jenkins _ to leave his calling card.
During the practice week, Jenkins said the key to containing Dallas wide receiver Dez Bryant was to defend the short routes. Jenkins went a couple steps better with six minutes left in the first half. Not only did he step in front of a short sideline route intended for Bryant for an interception, he returned it 25 yards for a touchdown. Just like that, the Rams were up 21-0 with 6:06 left in the half, and the rout was on.
Not exactly. With the aid of a 26-yard pass interference penalty against nickel back Lamarcus Joyner, the Cowboys got on the board with a one-yard TD run by Murray with 2:07 left in the half.
Following the Dallas kickoff, the Rams were moving downfield for what was shaping up as at least a field goal to end the half. But on a third-and-1 from the Dallas 44, an errant snap by center Scott Wells was recovered by Dallas at its 47.
Wells snapped the ball as if Davis were under center. Trouble was, Davis was in the shotgun. The Cowboys took over with 39 seconds left in the half. And with all their timeouts remaining they were able to move into field goal position.
Dan Bailey tied a club record with his 27th consecutive field goal _ this one from 29 yards. That kick trimmed the Rams lead to 21-10 at the half, and the Cowboys weren't done.
On the fourth play of the third quarter, Jenkins gave back the seven points he produced in the second quarter. He was beaten on a double-move by Dez Bryant for a 68-yard TD. There was no safety help, so once Bryant got past Jenkins, there was nothing by turf.
So just like that, the Rams lead shrunk to four points, 21-17.
The Rams' offense remained unfazed. Taking over at their 20 after a touchback on the kickoff, the team moved steadily downfield with a mix of runs and short to intermediate passes. But on third-and-3 from the Dallas 17, Kenny Britt ran a crossing pattern a little too shallow, leaving the Rams maybe 6 inches shy of a fourth down.
Jeff Fisher decided to go for it on fourth down, but on a slow-developing handoff, running back Benny Cunningham was dropped for a two-yard loss. Dallas took over on the 16, and thanks in large part to a 44-yard scamper around left end by Murray, another Bailey field goal left the Rams clinging to a 21-20 lead late in the third quarter.
The Rams came right back with a field goal drive that stretched their lead to 24-20 with 13:28 to play. It would've been a TD and a 27-20 lead, but wide-open tight end Jared Cook bobbled and then dropped the pass in the end zone.
Dallas wasn't done scoring. A long pass interference call against Jenkins gave the Cowboys a first-down at the St. Louis 20. Then, on third-and-2, Tony Romo found Terrance Williams wide open for a 12-yard TD pass and a 27-24 Dallas lead with 6:13 to play. Rookie corner E.J. Gaines had coverage responsibility on the play but got caught in traffic trying to follow Williams over the middle.
It took only eight seconds for Dallas to tack on seven more. On the first play after the Dallas kickoff, Dallas linebacker Bruce Carter stepped in front of a Davis pass headed over the middle for Stacy, and returned it 25 yards for a TD and a 34-24 Dallas lead.
Davis coolly marched the Rams 80 yards downfield for a TD on a 4-yard pass to cut Dallas' lead to 34-31 with 2:36 to play.
Here are the updates posted by football writer Joe Lyons during the Rams-Cowboys game:
The Dallas Cowboys overcame a 21-0 first-half deficit and rallied to knock off the Rams 34-31 Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome.
The Cowboys scored twice in a 15-second span in the fourth quarter to turn a 24-20 deficit into a 34-24 lead and then held off a late rally attempt from the Rams.
The Rams are 1-2; Dallas improves to 2-1.
The Cowboys took their first lead of the day, going up 27-24 on a 12-yard pass from Tony Romo to Terrance Williams with 6:13 to play. The touchdown, on a crossing pattern, capped an 11-play, 84-yard drive that featured a 20-yard pass from Romo to Williams on a third-and-14 play from the Dallas 25.
The Cowboys also benefited from a pass interference call on the Rams' Janoris Jenkins.
Following the kickoff, the Cowboys put the finishing touch on their comeback win as Bruce Carter stepped in front of Zac Stacy to pick off a pass and return it 25 yards to put Dallas on top 34-24 with 5:58 to play. On the play, the Cowboys turned up the pressure and it resulted in Austin Davis rushing his pass.
But Davis responded right away, moving the Rams 80 yards on 11 plays and cutting the Dallas lead to 34-31 on a 4-yard scoring pass to Austin Pettis with 2:36 left in regulation.
The Rams used their timeouts and forced Dallas to punt, taking over at their own 14 with 1:58 to play. But the Rams' comeback hopes were dashed when Dallas' Morris Claiborne picked off a pass at his own 37-yard line with 1:02 to play.
RAMS UP 24-20 EARLY IN THE FINAL QUARTER
Four plays into the second half, the Cowboys are making a game of it. On a blown coverage with the Rams blitzing, Tony Romo finds Dez Bryant wide open down the middle of the field for a 68-yard touchdown that cuts the Rams' lead to 21-17 with 12:48 to play in the third quarter.
The Rams followed with another solid drive that fell short when Kenny Britt ran a 2-yard pattern on a third-and-three play from the Dallas 17. On the next play, the Cowboys stuffed a Zac Stacy run and took possession at their own 16.
The Cowboys, thanks to a 44-yard run by DeMarco Murray, appeared to moving for a go-ahead score when the Rams defense responded. Linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar came up with a stop in the backfield on Murray and Dallas settled for a field goal, making it 21-20 on a 40-yarder by Dan Bailey with 2:43 to play in the third quarter.
The Rams responded and drove to the Cowboys 10 before the drive stalled. A 28-yard field goal from Greg Zuerlein made it 24-20 Rams with 13:28 to play.
RAMSLEAD 21-10 AT THE HALF
The Rams stretched the lead to 21-0 with 6:06 to play in the opening half when Janoris Jenkins stepped in front of a Tony Romo pass in the flat intended for Dez Bryant and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown. It was the third pick-6 and fourth defensive touchdown for Jenkins, a third-year pro.
The Cowboys responded with an eight-play, 80-yard drive that featured a heavy dose of DeMarco Murray, who keyed the drive with runs of 20, 14, 4 and 1 yards. The 1-yarder, for a touchdown to make it with 2:07 to play before halftime, came a play after the Rams were called for pass interference in the end zone.
The Rams were near midfield and driving when a botched snap resulted in a fumble recovered by the Cowboys. The Cowboys took advantage, thanks to a roughing-the-passer call on Eugene Sims and cut the halftime lead to 21-10 as Dan Bailey booted a 29-yard field goal with 2 seconds to play before halftime.
Some halftime numbers....
• Austin Davis has completed 14 of 18 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns.
• Zac Stacy has rushed five times for 29 yards and has two catches for 31 yards.
• Eight different players have caught passes for the Rams, led by Lance Kendricks (four for 13 yards and a touchdown), Jared Cook (three for 24 yards) and Brian Quick (51-yard TD catch).
• James Laurinaitis has five tackles while Alec Ogletree and Janoris Jenkins have four each. Jenkins also has a 25-yard interception returned for a score.
• For Dallas, Romo has completed 11 of 15 passes for 89 yards with an interception.
• DeMarco Murray has 40 rushing yards on 10 carries, including a 1-yard scoring run.
RAMS UP 14-0 JUST SIX SECONDS INTO SECOND QUARTER
The Rams followed the game plan to perfection, opening the game with a 15-play, 80-yard drive that ended with a 1-yard touchdown pass from Austin Davis to Lance Kendricks at the front corner of the end zone.
The drive featured a nice mix of runs and passes as Davis completed 6 of 7 passes for 40 yards. Zac Stacy ran four times for 24 yards and added a nifty 13-yard pass reception.
The Cowboys were moving their first drive when linebacker Alec Ogletree ran down Dallas back DeMarco Murray on a short pass out of the backfield and managed to strip the ball. Cody Davis fell on the loose ball, giving the Rams possession at their own 35.
The Rams responded with another scoring drive, going up 14-0 on a 51-yard bomb from Davis to Brian Quick down the left sideline on the opening play of the second quarter.
The key play of the drive was a screen pass from Davis to Stacy that went for 17 yards. Tackle Joe Barksdale and center Scott Wells were out front to make key downfield blocks.
RAMS, COWBOYS LOOK TO ESTABLISH RUN GAMES
A pair of 1-1 squads coming off road wins will square off today as the Rams host the Dallas Cowboys at noon at the Edward Jones Dome.
Look for both teams to try and establish the run from the start. The Cowboys feature the NFL's leading rusher in fourth-year pro DeMarco Murray (285 yards, 5.6 per carry), who has ripped the Rams for 428 yards with an average of 8.4 a carry in two previous games against the Rams.
The Rams, who trail the Cowboys 16-15 in the overall series, are also a run-first team that will look to employ second-year backs Zac Stacy and Benny Cunningham to help set a tone and provide some play-action help for quarterback Austin Davis in his second NFL start.
For the third time in as many weeks, running back Tre Mason, a third-round draft last May, is among the inactives as the Rams take on the Dallas Cowboys today at the Edward Jones Dome. Also not playing today are rookie safety Maurice Alexander, the Eureka High product who was drafted in the fourth round in May, wide receiver Tavon Austin (knee), cornerback Brandon McGee (foot), center Barrett Jones (back), cornerback Trumaine Johnson (knee) and quarterback Case Keenum.
Tough-as-nails tight end Cory Harkey, who hurt his knee on a violent low hit last weekend in Tampa Bay, is active. So is rookie tight end Alex Bayer, an undrafted free agent who will be dressing out for the first time.
For Dallas, the inactive list includes starting linebackers Rolando McClain (groin) and Jason Durant (groin) as well as defensive end Anthony Spencer (knee), defensive tackle Davon Coleman (knee), quarterback Dustin Vaughan, cornerback Tyler Patmon and tackle Donald Hawkins.
Rookie Anthony Hitchens will get the start at middle linebacker for McClain.
The Rams are in all white, with the Cowboys in blue jerseys and silver pants.
HISPANIC HERITAGE LEADERSHIP AWARD
The Rams have selected Virginia Braxs as the recipient of the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award today when they face the Cowboys.
A native of Argentina and a faculty member at Washington University, Braxs is dedicated to promoting the Hispanic culture and making high education for Latino youth, regardless of immigration status, more accessible in the United States in both her professional and personal life.
Each recipient will select an organization to receive a $2,000 donation. Braxs has chosen the Hispanic Arts Council of St. Louis.
• BY JIM THOMAS
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_0bc61781-cfc6-52ab-aba6-1be9f5affde6.html
Quarterback Austin Davis three touchdown passes. The running game was easily at its best this season. But in the end, the Rams couldn't hold a 21-0 first half lead and lost to Dallas 34-31.
It was a bitter pill to swallow for the Rams, who now head into their bye week with a 1-2 record. Their next game is Oct. 5 in Philadelphia.
To no one's surprise, Davis was the starting quarterback Sunday, and he wasted little time getting the Rams moving. For the third time in three games this season, the Rams won the opening coin toss, but this time they decided to receive rather than deferring to the second half.
What followed was a flawlessly executed 80-yard opening drive. Only two of 15 plays went for more than 10 yards, with the longest play a 14-yard reception by Zac Stacy with Davis scrambling under pressure.
Tight end Lance Kendricks capped the drive with a one-yard touchdown catch, with a nifty move to tight-rope the goal-line in the front left corner of the end zone. That marked the first passing TD of the season for the Rams, and the 7-0 lead was the biggest of the young season.
• PHOTOS: Rams collapse vs. Cowboys
The lead grew bigger in the opening half. With the Rams' defense swarming Dallas running back DeMarco Murray, the Rams got the ball back quickly and scored on their next possession.
This time, Davis found Brian Quick deep for a 51-yard TD on the first play of the second quarter, with Quick getting behind Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne. Then it was time for the player known as the "Rabbit" _ Janoris Jenkins _ to leave his calling card.
During the practice week, Jenkins said the key to containing Dallas wide receiver Dez Bryant was to defend the short routes. Jenkins went a couple steps better with six minutes left in the first half. Not only did he step in front of a short sideline route intended for Bryant for an interception, he returned it 25 yards for a touchdown. Just like that, the Rams were up 21-0 with 6:06 left in the half, and the rout was on.
Not exactly. With the aid of a 26-yard pass interference penalty against nickel back Lamarcus Joyner, the Cowboys got on the board with a one-yard TD run by Murray with 2:07 left in the half.
Following the Dallas kickoff, the Rams were moving downfield for what was shaping up as at least a field goal to end the half. But on a third-and-1 from the Dallas 44, an errant snap by center Scott Wells was recovered by Dallas at its 47.
Wells snapped the ball as if Davis were under center. Trouble was, Davis was in the shotgun. The Cowboys took over with 39 seconds left in the half. And with all their timeouts remaining they were able to move into field goal position.
Dan Bailey tied a club record with his 27th consecutive field goal _ this one from 29 yards. That kick trimmed the Rams lead to 21-10 at the half, and the Cowboys weren't done.
On the fourth play of the third quarter, Jenkins gave back the seven points he produced in the second quarter. He was beaten on a double-move by Dez Bryant for a 68-yard TD. There was no safety help, so once Bryant got past Jenkins, there was nothing by turf.
So just like that, the Rams lead shrunk to four points, 21-17.
The Rams' offense remained unfazed. Taking over at their 20 after a touchback on the kickoff, the team moved steadily downfield with a mix of runs and short to intermediate passes. But on third-and-3 from the Dallas 17, Kenny Britt ran a crossing pattern a little too shallow, leaving the Rams maybe 6 inches shy of a fourth down.
Jeff Fisher decided to go for it on fourth down, but on a slow-developing handoff, running back Benny Cunningham was dropped for a two-yard loss. Dallas took over on the 16, and thanks in large part to a 44-yard scamper around left end by Murray, another Bailey field goal left the Rams clinging to a 21-20 lead late in the third quarter.
The Rams came right back with a field goal drive that stretched their lead to 24-20 with 13:28 to play. It would've been a TD and a 27-20 lead, but wide-open tight end Jared Cook bobbled and then dropped the pass in the end zone.
Dallas wasn't done scoring. A long pass interference call against Jenkins gave the Cowboys a first-down at the St. Louis 20. Then, on third-and-2, Tony Romo found Terrance Williams wide open for a 12-yard TD pass and a 27-24 Dallas lead with 6:13 to play. Rookie corner E.J. Gaines had coverage responsibility on the play but got caught in traffic trying to follow Williams over the middle.
It took only eight seconds for Dallas to tack on seven more. On the first play after the Dallas kickoff, Dallas linebacker Bruce Carter stepped in front of a Davis pass headed over the middle for Stacy, and returned it 25 yards for a TD and a 34-24 Dallas lead.
Davis coolly marched the Rams 80 yards downfield for a TD on a 4-yard pass to cut Dallas' lead to 34-31 with 2:36 to play.
Here are the updates posted by football writer Joe Lyons during the Rams-Cowboys game:
The Dallas Cowboys overcame a 21-0 first-half deficit and rallied to knock off the Rams 34-31 Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome.
The Cowboys scored twice in a 15-second span in the fourth quarter to turn a 24-20 deficit into a 34-24 lead and then held off a late rally attempt from the Rams.
The Rams are 1-2; Dallas improves to 2-1.
The Cowboys took their first lead of the day, going up 27-24 on a 12-yard pass from Tony Romo to Terrance Williams with 6:13 to play. The touchdown, on a crossing pattern, capped an 11-play, 84-yard drive that featured a 20-yard pass from Romo to Williams on a third-and-14 play from the Dallas 25.
The Cowboys also benefited from a pass interference call on the Rams' Janoris Jenkins.
Following the kickoff, the Cowboys put the finishing touch on their comeback win as Bruce Carter stepped in front of Zac Stacy to pick off a pass and return it 25 yards to put Dallas on top 34-24 with 5:58 to play. On the play, the Cowboys turned up the pressure and it resulted in Austin Davis rushing his pass.
But Davis responded right away, moving the Rams 80 yards on 11 plays and cutting the Dallas lead to 34-31 on a 4-yard scoring pass to Austin Pettis with 2:36 left in regulation.
The Rams used their timeouts and forced Dallas to punt, taking over at their own 14 with 1:58 to play. But the Rams' comeback hopes were dashed when Dallas' Morris Claiborne picked off a pass at his own 37-yard line with 1:02 to play.
RAMS UP 24-20 EARLY IN THE FINAL QUARTER
Four plays into the second half, the Cowboys are making a game of it. On a blown coverage with the Rams blitzing, Tony Romo finds Dez Bryant wide open down the middle of the field for a 68-yard touchdown that cuts the Rams' lead to 21-17 with 12:48 to play in the third quarter.
The Rams followed with another solid drive that fell short when Kenny Britt ran a 2-yard pattern on a third-and-three play from the Dallas 17. On the next play, the Cowboys stuffed a Zac Stacy run and took possession at their own 16.
The Cowboys, thanks to a 44-yard run by DeMarco Murray, appeared to moving for a go-ahead score when the Rams defense responded. Linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar came up with a stop in the backfield on Murray and Dallas settled for a field goal, making it 21-20 on a 40-yarder by Dan Bailey with 2:43 to play in the third quarter.
The Rams responded and drove to the Cowboys 10 before the drive stalled. A 28-yard field goal from Greg Zuerlein made it 24-20 Rams with 13:28 to play.
RAMSLEAD 21-10 AT THE HALF
The Rams stretched the lead to 21-0 with 6:06 to play in the opening half when Janoris Jenkins stepped in front of a Tony Romo pass in the flat intended for Dez Bryant and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown. It was the third pick-6 and fourth defensive touchdown for Jenkins, a third-year pro.
The Cowboys responded with an eight-play, 80-yard drive that featured a heavy dose of DeMarco Murray, who keyed the drive with runs of 20, 14, 4 and 1 yards. The 1-yarder, for a touchdown to make it with 2:07 to play before halftime, came a play after the Rams were called for pass interference in the end zone.
The Rams were near midfield and driving when a botched snap resulted in a fumble recovered by the Cowboys. The Cowboys took advantage, thanks to a roughing-the-passer call on Eugene Sims and cut the halftime lead to 21-10 as Dan Bailey booted a 29-yard field goal with 2 seconds to play before halftime.
Some halftime numbers....
• Austin Davis has completed 14 of 18 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns.
• Zac Stacy has rushed five times for 29 yards and has two catches for 31 yards.
• Eight different players have caught passes for the Rams, led by Lance Kendricks (four for 13 yards and a touchdown), Jared Cook (three for 24 yards) and Brian Quick (51-yard TD catch).
• James Laurinaitis has five tackles while Alec Ogletree and Janoris Jenkins have four each. Jenkins also has a 25-yard interception returned for a score.
• For Dallas, Romo has completed 11 of 15 passes for 89 yards with an interception.
• DeMarco Murray has 40 rushing yards on 10 carries, including a 1-yard scoring run.
RAMS UP 14-0 JUST SIX SECONDS INTO SECOND QUARTER
The Rams followed the game plan to perfection, opening the game with a 15-play, 80-yard drive that ended with a 1-yard touchdown pass from Austin Davis to Lance Kendricks at the front corner of the end zone.
The drive featured a nice mix of runs and passes as Davis completed 6 of 7 passes for 40 yards. Zac Stacy ran four times for 24 yards and added a nifty 13-yard pass reception.
The Cowboys were moving their first drive when linebacker Alec Ogletree ran down Dallas back DeMarco Murray on a short pass out of the backfield and managed to strip the ball. Cody Davis fell on the loose ball, giving the Rams possession at their own 35.
The Rams responded with another scoring drive, going up 14-0 on a 51-yard bomb from Davis to Brian Quick down the left sideline on the opening play of the second quarter.
The key play of the drive was a screen pass from Davis to Stacy that went for 17 yards. Tackle Joe Barksdale and center Scott Wells were out front to make key downfield blocks.
RAMS, COWBOYS LOOK TO ESTABLISH RUN GAMES
A pair of 1-1 squads coming off road wins will square off today as the Rams host the Dallas Cowboys at noon at the Edward Jones Dome.
Look for both teams to try and establish the run from the start. The Cowboys feature the NFL's leading rusher in fourth-year pro DeMarco Murray (285 yards, 5.6 per carry), who has ripped the Rams for 428 yards with an average of 8.4 a carry in two previous games against the Rams.
The Rams, who trail the Cowboys 16-15 in the overall series, are also a run-first team that will look to employ second-year backs Zac Stacy and Benny Cunningham to help set a tone and provide some play-action help for quarterback Austin Davis in his second NFL start.
For the third time in as many weeks, running back Tre Mason, a third-round draft last May, is among the inactives as the Rams take on the Dallas Cowboys today at the Edward Jones Dome. Also not playing today are rookie safety Maurice Alexander, the Eureka High product who was drafted in the fourth round in May, wide receiver Tavon Austin (knee), cornerback Brandon McGee (foot), center Barrett Jones (back), cornerback Trumaine Johnson (knee) and quarterback Case Keenum.
Tough-as-nails tight end Cory Harkey, who hurt his knee on a violent low hit last weekend in Tampa Bay, is active. So is rookie tight end Alex Bayer, an undrafted free agent who will be dressing out for the first time.
For Dallas, the inactive list includes starting linebackers Rolando McClain (groin) and Jason Durant (groin) as well as defensive end Anthony Spencer (knee), defensive tackle Davon Coleman (knee), quarterback Dustin Vaughan, cornerback Tyler Patmon and tackle Donald Hawkins.
Rookie Anthony Hitchens will get the start at middle linebacker for McClain.
The Rams are in all white, with the Cowboys in blue jerseys and silver pants.
HISPANIC HERITAGE LEADERSHIP AWARD
The Rams have selected Virginia Braxs as the recipient of the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award today when they face the Cowboys.
A native of Argentina and a faculty member at Washington University, Braxs is dedicated to promoting the Hispanic culture and making high education for Latino youth, regardless of immigration status, more accessible in the United States in both her professional and personal life.
Each recipient will select an organization to receive a $2,000 donation. Braxs has chosen the Hispanic Arts Council of St. Louis.