In terms of football there isn't much to be called exciting about Oakland traveling to the Cowboys' hi-tech, new home on Thanksgiving Day. The Raiders are 3 and 7, Dallas is 7 and 3. The Pokes are 4 and 1 at home, Oakland is 1 and 4 on the road.
Dallas has outscored its opponents by 56 points this season, Oakland has been outscored by 126. Needless to add, the smart money is on Dallas.
At the end of the first quarter the game was living up to its billing, both offenses were sputtering although the Cowboys had out gained the Raiders slightly. The time of possession was almost equal and Dallas had a 3 to 0 lead. It was the Raiders' first appearance on Thanksgiving since this date in 1970 but Oakland was doing nothing to mark it as a special occasion.
Four minutes into the 2nd quarter Felix Jones broke off a 48-yard run for a touchdown, giving Dallas a 10 to 0 lead. At the half Dallas had extended its lead to 17 while maintaining its shutout.
At halftime the Cowboys had gained almost three times as many yards as the Raiders, 324 yards to 119 yards. While Romo was 11 of 18 for 197 yards, Gradkowski was 5 of 15 for only 42 yards.
Oakland struck first nine minutes into the second half. Out of the shotgun Gradkowski completed a pass to rookie Darrius Heyward-Bey for a four yard touchdown. The TD was Heyward-Bey's first career touchdown reception.
Less than two minutes into the final frame the Cowboys responded. Romo completed a six yard pass to Roy Williams for a TD. At the two-minute warning the score was 24 to 7 for Dallas and it remained there when the game ended.
At the end of the game both Romo and Gradkowski had
18 completions. Romo earned his in six fewer attempts than Gradkowski. His 18 completions included two touchdowns, one more than Gradkowski's did. Gradkowski's 18 completions gained 200 yards and averaged 5.7 yards per attempt. Romo's 18 completions were good for 309 yards and an average of 10.7 yards per attempt.
Even the artificially feverish excitement around the official announcement of entertainment for Superbowl XLIV in Miami Stadium on Sunday, February 7, 2010 was anti-climactic. As
widely predicted for at least two weeks,
The Who will do the honors, following Bruce Springsteen who provided last year's half time entertainment. Since Janice Jackson's 'wardrobe malfunction', with the encouragement of Justin Timberlake, exposed her nipple Superbowl organizers have developed a preference for greying, seniors as half time performers.
