Dallas Cowboys Beat Tennessee Titans 26-10 in Week 2

The Dallas Cowboys beat the Tennesee Titans, 26-10, in Week 2 of the 2014 NFL regular season.

Kurt Daniels of the Cowboys official website credits solid running game, special teams and defensive performances as the keys to victory:

“The Cowboys went old school in their impressive 26-10 victory over Tennessee, using a grinding rushing attack, solid special teams and other good performance from the defense to come away with their first win of the season. 

“With an emphasis on running the rock early, Dallas saw DeMarco Murray post 167 running yards in the game on just 29 carries, an average of 5.76 yards per attempt. Overall, Dallas ran for 220 yards total, compared to just 148 passing. 

“Murray topped the century mark in the second quarter when the Cowboys ran the ball on 12 of their 21 plays, which led to to 13 unanswered points. And, he led the charge on the team’s first touchdown of the game. Alread up 3-0 and set up the on the Titans’ 40-yard line after a Barry Church interception, he was handed the ball on four straight snaps. In response, he ripped off runs of 18, 6 and 13 yards before lunging the ball forward across the goal line from 3 yards out to put Dallas up 10-0.

“The Cowboys then tacked on two more field goals before halftime as Bailey was good from 44 and 51 yards to stay perfect on the year, the second coming only with only nine seconds left in the half after Dwayne Harris returned a punt 15 yards to give Dallas field position at the Tennessee 48-yard line.

“Likewise, the Dallas defense was equally impressive through the first 30 minutes of the game, as the unit shut out the Titans while limiting them to just two first downs and 68 yards of total offense. They even produced their first turnover of the season with the pick by Church, who made a diving interception of an overthrown Jake Locker pass.

“Things got interesting after the half, though, when Tennessee, came out and promptly scored on their first two possessions of the third quarter with a 47-yard field goal by Ryan Succop and a big 61-yard touchdown from Locker to tight end Delanie Walker that narrowed the gap to a one-possession game, 16-10.

“But Dallas responded with another touchdown, this time doing their damage through the air, as Tony Romo guided the team on a 12-play, 80-yard drive, he and Des Bryant connecting five times during the series. The last was a dart to the right side of the end zone and an again-comfortable 23-10 lead.

“Despite Bryant getting most of the accolades, Bryant was equally as dangerous, as he finished with 103 yards receiving on 10 catches. And while Romo still didn’t always look sharp, he was definitely better than last week, managing to throw for 176 yards on 19-of-29 passing with one touchdown, and perhaps more importantly, not throwing any interceptions.

Dominant Murray Carries Cowboys To Week 2 Win http://t.co/8FlWOtMs1Q #DALvsTEN pic.twitter.com/KmJ1q3LYIw

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) September 15, 2014

“Whatever thoughts the Titans had about coming back were quashed on Tennessee’s next possession. Though the home team was driving, Henry Melton tipped a pass at the line of scrimmage, which was then followed by linebacker Rolando McClain making an acrobatic catch that was originally ruled incomplete. But after head coach Jason Garrett threw the red flag, the play was overturned upon review and Dallas had the ball.

“McClain’s effort led to Bailey’s fourth field goal, the Cowboys wrapping up their scoring for the day.”  

The Dallas Morning News‘ Tim Cowlishaw commended the Cowboys’ running game for making things happen:

“Born again. Recalled to life. A new chapter. 

“Call it what you like — time will tell if it’s here to stay — but for one afternoon at LP Field, the Cowboys’ almost total commitment to the running game produced a surprisingly comfortable 26-10 road victory over the Tennessee Titans.

“Call it what you like — time will tell if it’s here to stay — but for one afternoon at LP Field, the Cowboys’ almost total commitment to the running game produced a surprisingly comfortable 26-10 road victory over the Tennessee Titans.

“This was DeMarco Murray at his best, setting a career high with 29 carries to grind out 167 yards against a defense that shut down (the) Kansas City (Chiefs) and Jamaal Charles last week. This was a showcase for an offensive line that features three recent first-round picks. And this was — brace yourself — a window into the future of Jason Garrett as resident guru of smashmouth football. 

“‘This is how you want to play,’ said Garrett, who was more emphatic than is customary than is customary about practically everything in his post-game remarks. 

“‘If you can run the ball, run the clock, you can control the football game. You need to be a physical football team to win in this league. We want to be a well-balanced offense that attacks you a lot of different ways….’

“…In two games, Murray has 51 carries for 285 yards. Thoughts that (Cowboys offensive coordinator Scott) Linehan would bring to Dallas the same approach that had Matt Stafford throwing 600 passes have vanished as the team has as many runs as Romo pass attempts after two weeks.

“‘We’re going to get respect for that as we move forward after seeing two games of pretty darn good production in the run game,’ Linehan said.

“The respect from the Titans was immediate.

“‘Give them credit,’ Tennessee coach Ken Whisenhunt said. ‘They ran the football well. They did to us what we did to Kansas City last week.'”  

For more of the hottest sports news, log on to Sport Balla today.