Cowboys defense left Colts Luck-less

They entered the game as the NFL’s top offense, averaging more than 421 yards a game. They were one of three teams in the league that scored more than 30 points a game.

Most thought the Indianapolis Colts would expose this Dallas Cowboys defense, once projected to repeat as a historically bad unit. But this defense continues to exceed expectations and turned in its most impressive performance to date in a 42-7 victory Sunday at AT&T Stadium.

“Pretty doggone solid,” defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said. “It was pleasing.”

Just look at the numbers:

▪ The Colts had 1 rushing yard — for the game. That’s a Cowboys record and tied for the ninth fewest rushing yards allowed in NFL history. “One rushing yard? That’s a big deal, man,” veteran defensive end Jeremy Mincey said. “We played our best ball today.”

▪ The Colts scored seven points, their fewest of the season.

▪ Andrew Luck had a career-worst 41.7 passer rating and was pulled midway through the third quarter.

It couldn’t have gotten off to a much better start for the Cowboys, either.

On the Colts’ first offensive series, defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford tackled Colts running back Daniel Herron for a 5-yard loss, setting up an eventual three-and-out.

The second series also went three-and-out with oft picked-on cornerback Brandon Carr coming through with a key pass breakup on third down, as Luck tried to throw a slant to Coby Fleener.

“I guess it was a big breakup, but each week we just try to fight and bring something different to the table,” Carr said. “Sometimes you get the ball to bounce your way. Today was a good outing as far as performances, but next week you’ve got to reload.”

It didn’t stop there.

The Colts had a third consecutive three-and-out on their third series. They didn’t pick up a first down until the 5:49 mark of the second quarter, when Luck connected with Reggie Wayne on an 11-yard pass.

The Colts then had what appeared to be a scoring drive going toward the end of the half, moving the ball to the Cowboys’ 22. But Luck tossed an interception to safety J.J. Wilcox in the end zone that ended the half.

It marked the fifth time that the Cowboys shut out an opponent in a half, the first time since Week 5 when they held the Houston Texans scoreless in the first half.

“What they were doing early on in the ballgame was as important as what the offense was doing,” coach Jason Garrett said. “You drive the ball, you get a three-and-out. You drive the ball, you get a three-and-out. That’s a great rhythm, a great dynamic, to be in.”

The only blemish, if you can call it that, was the missed opportunity at a shutout.

The Colts scored their only points in the fourth quarter when the game was well out of hand. The pivotal play happened to be a pass interference penalty on Carr, who intercepted a pass in the end zone intended for Wayne.

The Colts got the ball at the 1-yard line after that and scored on the next play. It ended the Cowboys’ dreams of holding the Colts scoreless for the first time since Dec. 26, 1993.

“Sure would’ve loved to get the shutout,” said a smiling Orlando Scandrick, who had a sack-fumble. “But we didn’t.”

Added Carr: “It would’ve been great if I would’ve got [the interception]. The way the league is nowadays, nine times out of 10 the defender is going to get that call.”

Regardless, it still goes down as the best defensive outing of the season. Wilcox and Scandrick forced turnovers, as well as rookie linebacker Anthony Hitchens, who got his first career interception.

“Oh, yeah, you’d have liked [a shutout], but we’re champions, man,” Marinelli said. “You go out there to win games. That’s the bottom line. We’re not a stat defense really, but they play hard.”

This story was originally published December 21, 2014 at 10:02 PM with the headline "Cowboys defense left Colts Luck-less."