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INDIANAPOLIS –First Quarter Recap
The Colts won the toss and chose to defer.
With Dallas running back DeMarco Murray in the starting lineup, the Colts run defense got off to a nice start, Murray had four carries for zero yards early on in the drive. However, a taunting penalty from Jerrell Freeman following a third-down stop gave the Cowboys new life. Dallas made the Colts pay with Terrance Williams scoring a nine-yard touchdown. Dallas took a 7-0 lead with 6:36 to play in the first quarter.
The Colts hope to get off to better starts was derailed after three failed run attempts. A fake punt on fourth down fell incomplete after a drop by gunner Dewey McDonald.
Dallas wasted no time taking advantage. Tony Romo found Dez Bryant for a 19-yard touchdown, giving the NFC's reigning Offensive Player of the Week his league-leading 14th score of the year. The Cowboys now led 14-0 with 4:23 left in the first quarter.
Indianapolis followed with a three-and-out.
At the end of the first quarter, the Cowboys led 14-0.Second Quarter Recap
Dallas had the look of a team fighting for a playoff spot. The Cowboys made it 21-0 early in the second when receiver Cole Beasley caught a 24-yard touchdown from Tony Romo.
Desperately needing a score to get back into the game, the Colts had their third straight three-and-out to start the game.
The Cowboys continued the pound away. A 10-play, 67-yard drive was capped by DeMarco Murray scoring from one yard out. With 6:38 left in the second quarter, Dallas had possessed the ball for 18:49.
Down 28-0, the Colts finally got their initial first down of the games with less than six minutes remaining in the second quarter. The moving of chains didn't last though for the Colts offense as another Pat McAfee punt ended the Colts fourth drive.
Indy's defense finally forced punt late in the second quarter and had a chance for a last-minute score before halftime. The Colts put together by far their best offensive drive of the afternoon. However, that drive came to a close on an Andrew Luck interception to close out the first half.
At halftime, the Cowboys led the Colts 28-0.Third Quarter Recap
Getting the ball to start the second half, the Colts couldn't change the fortune from the opening two quarters. An Andrew Luck pass was tipped and picked off by Anthony Hitchens, giving Dallas a short field.
The Colts defense held though thanks to a sack from Arthur Jones. Dallas kicker Dan Bailey was wide right on his 52-yard field goal.
With their best starting field position of the afternoon, the Colts could not turn that into any points.
Dallas got back on the board with a 10-play, 75-yard drive that ended with tight end Jason Witten hauling in a 25-yard touchdown. The score gave the Cowboy a 35-0 lead with 4:48 to go in the third quarter.
Down five scores, the Colts turned to Matt Hasselbeck at quarterback, thus ending the day for Andrew Luck. On his first drive at quarterback, Hasselbeck was stripped by Cowboys safety Orlando Scandrck and recovered by George Selvie.
At the end of the third quarter, the Cowboys led the Colts 35-0.
Fourth Quarter Recap
It looked like Dallas was going to head on in for another score but the Colts were able to force a turnover. Mike Adams forced a Joseph Randle fumble and D'Qwell Jackson fell on the loose ball.
The Colts offense could not capitalize on the turnover though and was forced to punt after three plays.
With backup quarterback Brandon Weeden now under center, the Cowboys showed no let up. Terrance Williams caught a 43-yard touchdown to stretch the Dallas lead to 42-0 with 10:12 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The Colts would finally get on the scoreboard with 5:24 left in the fourth quarter. An 8-play, 78-yard drive ended with a one-yard touchdown catch for running back Zurlon Tipton. The scout was the first of Tipton's career. Dallas' lead was now 42-7 with 5:24 remaining.
With a final score of 42-7, the Colts dropped to the No. 4 seed in the current AFC Playoff Picture heading into a road contest versus the Titans to close out the regular season.
Colts Inactives
13-T.Y. Hilton
25-Jalil Brown
40-Sheldon Price
69-Hugh Thornton
76-Joe Reitz
78-Gosder Cherilus
95-Montori Hughes
Colts Pre-Game Notes
-With a win today, the Colts will have achieved their third straight season of at least 11 wins.Weather Update
-Temperatures outside of AT&T Stadium are in the mid 50s for the 3:25 local time kickoff this afternoon.
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