[tigerthelion]

Gregg Easterbrook sums it up well:

So Buffalo failed to move the clock, the Cowboys scored and recovered the onside kick, but the Bills still led 24-22. Dallas is at the Buffalo 43, which is a 60-yard field goal attempt; there are seven seconds remaining; and the Cowboys have no timeouts. Dallas comes to the line to run a play. There are only two possible plays the Cowboys can attempt, a Hail Mary to the end zone or a quick out so the receiver immediately steps out of bounds to stop the clock for a field goal try. With seven seconds remaining and the Cowboys out of timeouts, the only places they can throw are to the end zone or immediately to the sideline. Yet Buffalo's defenders were clustered in the middle of the field, not guarding the sidelines; Patrick Crayton caught an immediate out at the 35-yard line and stepped out of bounds, setting up the winning kick. Not only were the Bills in the wrong defense for this play but Buffalo also was holding two timeouts. Bills coach Dick Jauron did not call timeout to make sure his defense was set properly for the game-deciding play, or to let his defenders catch their breath. (The Bills' defense was on the field almost the entire fourth quarter.) Once more, you really have to be determined to blow a game when you are plus-5 on turnovers.

I think Gregg Easterbrook's TMQ column is brilliant. His breakdowns of football often go against common "accepted" wisdom of football insiders, but are also often more accurate than what any of the so-called experts say. Plus his additions of scientfic and political news often leave me feeling I have really learned something outside of football. I definitely need to pick up one of his books one of these days, I have heard they are quite good. Anyway I definitely look forward to Tuesdays and TMQ.

A couple more things.

1. Another columnist (don't remember who) wrote something like "The Detroit Lions are absolutely the worst looking 3-2 team in NFL history." Sad for me to say as a Lions fan... but I think he's right. Oh well, I'd rather be an awful 3-2 than a decent-looking 0-5.

2. Big matchup (duh, obviously!) this week between the Pats and Cowboys. And I never, ever thought I would have said this ever in my life, but... GO COWBOYS!

How'd that matchup work out for the Cowboys? hock: