Cowboys struggle to OT win against penalty heavy Browns

Dan Bailey kicked a 38-yard field goal in overtime and Dallas overcame a critical fumble by Tony Romo that sparked a wild ending in the Cowboys’ 23-20 victory against Cleveland on Sunday.

Bailey’s winning kick with 6:07 remaining in overtime came after both teams punted once in the first overtime game at Cowboys Stadium. Bailey hit a tying 32-yard field goal with 2 seconds left in regulation.

Dallas (5-5) rallied from a 13-0 halftime deficit and went ahead 17-13 on Romo’s 28-yard pass to Dez Bryant. The first half was a right off for the Cowboys, failing to register a single point with under 50 offensive yards.

A fumble by Browns rookie Brandon Weeden on a sack appeared to put the Cowboys in control, but Romo gave it right back with a fumble on another sack.

The Cowboys made one goal-line stand in the final minutes, but the Browns got another chance and went ahead 20-17 on Weeden’s 17-yard pass to Benjamin Watson. A field goal with two seconds remaining in regulation time took the game to overtime.

The Cowboys rushing attack continues to fail with an abysmal 63 yards on 21 attempts. However, it was a role reversal for the Cowboys today as the yellow flags flew for the nicked up Browns secondary. Romo and his receiving corp picked on Skriner and Brown all night and saw flags fly for a variety of holding and pass interference calls.

Another solid rushing display of 98 yards from rookie back Richardson was not enough to take his team to the win. Yet again, Brandon Weeden failed to lead his team to the victory despite another fast start. The Cowboys pass rushers slowly got pressure throughout the night with Anthony Spencer recording a strip sack and fumble recovery.

Although not a spectacular performance from the Cowboys (5-5) they now move within one game of the reigning champion New York Giants as the Redskins head to town for Thanksgiving. The Browns slip to (2-8) and look set to secure yet another high pick in the NFL Draft. With new owner Jimmy Haslam expected to make changes, Head Coach Shurmur firmly remains on the hot seat.

via Associated Press

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