Vikings’ Moss Gathers Himself

Randy Moss has this big-game business down.

Two feet down, in fact.

That’s how Moss and the Minnesota Vikings defeated the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day as Moss caught two touchdown passes in the back of the end zone, improbably staying inbounds on the second.

One foot, two feet down--and the Vikings have a 10-2 record after a 27-15 victory in front of a Texas Stadium crowd of 63,878 that watched Dallas fall to 4-8.

The troubled Cowboys were dealt yet another blow: Emmitt Smith was knocked out of the game because of a concussion after a helmet-to-helmet hit by Minnesota’s Ed McDaniel in the third quarter, ending Smith’s day after 12 carries for 100 yards.

“Emmitt is a warrior, a guy that can play a number of years still in his career,” Dallas Coach Dave Campo said. “I don’t know what his injury situation will be, but hopefully he’ll be around the rest of the season.”

The Cowboys at least can be relieved they don’t have to see anymore this season of Moss, who caught seven passes for 144 yards in his latest devastating performance against Dallas.

In four games against the Cowboys in his three NFL seasons, Moss has three 100-yard games, eight touchdowns and 525 yards receiving, including a 163-yard day in a Thanksgiving Day game as a rookie.

The latest performance--he also had a stumbling, 52-yard reception in a crowd of defenders--only cemented his reputation as a big-game player.

“Monday night games, Sunday night games, anything televised nationally, I try to go out and make it happen,” Moss said. “Let people see who I am and what I do. And at the same time, let ‘em know they did mess up on draft day.”

The Cowboys were among the teams that passed on Moss in 1998, when he was picked 21st overall. But this wasn’t only for the Cowboys.

Viking receiver Cris Carter laughed at the idea Moss had singled them out.

“Too many teams passed him over,” he said. “A lot of teams made bad mistakes. A bunch of teams made mistakes, not only on Randy but Daunte [Culpepper] also.”

Culpepper, picked 11th the next year, completed 15 of 22 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns without an interception, and he and Moss put on a display of competitive fire in the third quarter when they came off the field arguing after Culpepper threw an incompletion on a third-down play at the 11-yard line when Moss thought he was open.

“We get mad,” Culpepper said. “The thing is, we both have the same goal.

“We always discuss what’s going on. A lot of times we disagree.”

This time, Culpepper saw a blitz coming and went to the “hot” receiver, running back Moe Williams. Moss went at Culpepper immediately.

“Just being as competitive as I am, Coach [Dennis] Green understands, Daunte, my whole team understands,” Moss said. “I thought I was open for the first down. It’s nothing we hold against each other.

“When you see me and Daunte argue like that, it’s going to be over.”

On the sideline after the Vikings settled for a field goal and a 20-9 lead, Culpepper and Moss bumped fists: It was over.

The game wasn’t over as early as many expected, however.

The Vikings’ halftime lead was only 10-9.

Troy Aikman, who has struggled so much this season, was on the mark, completing 30 of 43 passes for 276 yards and one touchdown, with one late interception.

It only resulted in another loss.

“I view this team as a 4-8 football team that’s not very good,” Aikman said. “I expect this team to compete and play hard in the next few ballgames. We get paid a lot of money and we don’t take pride in just playing hard.”

The Cowboys’ maligned defense managed to keep one of the NFL’s best offenses in check in the first half, partly because of a steady rain.

But Robert Smith, the Viking running back who is the NFC’s leading rusher, ran for 148 yards and one touchdown in 21 carries and slowly the opportunities opened up for Moss.

Incredibly, Moss got his yards despite good coverage.

“Every play Moss made today, we were right there and didn’t make the play,” Campo said. “Either he’s that good, or we’re that bad. I think he’s that good.”

Cornerback Phillippi Sparks had to agree.

“He probably is the best wideout in the league. Now we’re dealing with [St. Louis Ram receiver Isaac Bruce and Indianapolis Colt receiver Marvin Harrison] along with Moss. They’re a different breed of receiver.

“I was in position all day, but so was he, and he was able to make the plays.”

Moss rated the 52-yard catch his best.

“I had to look up in the rain and turn my body so I could make a play. [Greg Myers] tried to make a pick, but when it fell in my lap, I was shocked.”

Others would vote for the second touchdown catch in the back of the end zone, which gave Minnesota a 27-9 lead and secured the victory.

Moss came down with his left foot and then his right, tiptoes right at the end line, and though Dallas called for a video review, the play stood.

*

LIONS: 34

PATRIOTS: 9

Charlie Batch threw for one touchdown and ran for another as Detroit scored 28 second-half points to win. D7