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Cowboys provide an answer for Seattle's best

Published Oct. 12, 2014 10:27 p.m. ET

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The Dallas Cowboys did not need any miracles to knock off the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. In fact, they somehow overcame two gaffes on special teams that led to 14 points for the Seahawks.

The Cowboys walked into the most hostile environment in the NFL and pushed the Seahawks around in a stunning 30-23 win. They now have to be considered a legitimate threat in the NFC. There was nothing fluky about the win. The offense controlled the ball for much of the game, while the defense made life miserable for Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. This Cowboys team refused to be bullied. In fact, they were the aggressors throughout the game. Dez Bryant had to hold back some of his teammates after a fight broke out at the end of the first half. It was an unfamiliar role for him.

Here are some observations from what is most certainly the best win of the Jason Garrett era:

A brilliant defensive game plan

The Cowboys were so effective at stopping the run that Seattle basically went exclusively to the pass when the game was on the line. The Seahawks wanted to get speedster Percy Harvin some touches early in the game, but the Cowboys did a superb job of containing him. Linebackers Justin Durant and Rolando McClain kept a close eye on Wilson. And he never got in any rhythm because he had players in his face. The Cowboys did a fantastic job in coverage, which gave the defensive line time to affect Wilson. This was not the bend-but-down-break approach we've seen from this defense in the past. The Cowboys' defense appeared to intimidate the Seahawks. Cornerback Orlando Scandrick made plays against the run and in coverage. And when the Seahawks moved the ball on their first drive, it was safety Barry Church preventing a touchdown with an excellent play on the ball.

Romo plays through the pain

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was annihilated by Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner just after throwing a pass early in the game. He had to wave on the medical staff to help him. But it became apparent that he'd just had the wind knocked out of him. On the Cowboys' next drive, they put the ball in the hands of backup tailback Joseph Randle for a 38-yard carry. The play bought some time for Romo, and it showed the Cowboys' intention to give DeMarco Murray more rest than he's had in recent weeks. Romo was at his best on third down. He dumped the ball off to third-down back Lance Dunbar to convert two third-and-long situations in the first half. Rotating the tailbacks really seemed to give the Seahawks' vaunted defense trouble. This Cowboys running game eventually wore the Seahawks down in the fourth quarter. And the best home-field advantage in the league was neutralized when the Cowboys kept ripping off nice gains on the ground.

DeMarco's pursuit of history continues

Cowboys playcaller Scott Linehan was somewhat judicious with DeMarco Murray's carries early in the game, which allowed him to finish strong. He had three consecutive carries for 46 yards on the drive that allowed the Cowboys to take the lead in the fourth quarter. Murray tied Jim Brown's NFL record by surpassing the 100-yard mark for the sixth time to open the season. Bryant recently referred to the Cowboys' offense as "DeMarco's show," and that's what it looked like in the fourth quarter. He finished with 113 yards on 28 carries. And I thought some of his best runs were the one where he escaped tackles behind the line of scrimmage to drive forward for two and three yards. With Adrian Peterson out indefinitely, Murray is the best tailback in the league right now. The one negative was when the ball shot out of his arms near the sideline. But he didn't lose a fumble in Sunday's game.

The Cowboys had 161 yards against the NFL's top-ranked run defense. It was a testament to Garrett and Scott Linehan that a 10-point deficit early in the game didn't change anything about their game plan. If anything, the deficit seemed to reinforce their belief that running the football would give them a chance to beat the Seahawks.

An Escobar sighting

With the Cowboys trailing 10-0, Tony Romo came close to throwing an interception. Former second-round pick Gavin Escobar, who rarely shows up as a primary target, tried to post up cornerback Byron Maxwell near the goal-line. Romo threw the ball wide, but Maxwell dropped it. Romo came right back to Escobar in the back of the end zone for a touchdown. He then took advantage of having all day in the pocket to connect with Jason Witten for a touchdown. Everyone knows that Romo looks for Dez Bryant in the red zone. It's wise to throw the ball to the tight ends from time to time.

Another iconic catch for Williams

Dez Bryant and Richard Sherman had a nice battle Sunday, but it was Terrance Williams who stole the show. It was a catch by Williams against Oklahoma three years ago that set the stage for Baylor's Robert Griffin III's Heisman trophy. But his catch on a third-and-20 play late in the fourth quarter was much more difficult. Williams, who's been labeled a "body catcher" for trapping the ball against his chest, made a finger-tip grab while somehow getting his toes down along the sideline. Pete Carroll challenged the call, but it was confirmed by replay. It's worth noting that Bryant also extended the drive with a 17-yard catch while being blanketed by Sherman.

What's next?

The Giants are headed to Arlington. No matter what happens in Sunday's Giants-Eagles game, the Cowboys will have a share of the NFC East lead. This is a 5-1 team coming off its most impressive regular-season win in years. With three consecutive home games before heading to London, this team could gain some separation in the division. And based on Sunday's performance, it's perfectly acceptable for fans to start daydreaming about the playoffs.

This is the hottest team in the NFL. It's amazing how much credibility a win in Seattle can give a team.

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