Week 6 Analysis: 4-2

Over the past few weeks you might have heard phrases from this blog such as "The NFC East is just that tough" (in reference to the Redskins loss) or "one of those classic fell asleep and woke up scenarios" (in reference to the Bengals 'close call').

But let's make no mistake about it. Those cheesy cliche' phrases that justify a poor performance are no longer valid. This team is clearly performing below it's capabilities.

Plus, we lost Romo for about a month. While at first the thought of the Cowboys without Romo scared me, I read (and loved) this view of the team without Romo.
After all, last February - March the UNC Tar Heels mens basketball team improved all around without Ty Lawson in their lineup. Sometimes teams need a reality check. It worked well for the Tar Heels, we'll see about these Cowboys.

Offense:
Well, Romo didn't throw an INT...but he fumbled 3 times. The passing game was unlike any Dallas air attack we've seen. Romo couldn't get anything done downfield to Witten or the player, so close to half of the team's receptions were on those desperation swing routes to the running back, often a QB's last choice. Marion Barber led the team in receptions and yards with 11 for 128 including a 70 yard catch-and-run TD in the 4th quarter. Crayton had 3 for 84 with a TD, Witten had 4 for 55, the player had 4 for 36, and was thrown to WAAAAY more than 4 times (I don't have the numbers, but it seems like close to 60% of the incompletions were thrown towards the player).

All in all, Romo had 321 yards, 3 TDs, and *gasp* no INTs. We still need to get those fumbles under control. Romo can usually be counted on to have a multi TD game, but he still gets a little too turnover happy. The Cowboys WILL NOT be the team to beat in the NFC (NFL?) until Romo can decrease his turnovers, of any type.

As far as rushing, Marion Barber had 17 for 45 yards. Felix Jones had 3 for 22 yards. You can't say we didn't try with the run. We had plenty of opportunities, our O-line just didn't execute.

In fact, the Arizone D-Line dominated the cowboys offense, rattling Romo all night long. This is the most pressure that Romo has seen this year. The O line, especially Flozell Adams, got pushed around like older brothers dominating their little sisters.

Defense:
Quite frankly, someone is going to have to step up on defense besides Demarcus Ware. Newman is out, Romo is now out...so players on both sides of the ball can no longer rely on one of their teammates to do the work. This is a TEAM game.

Ken Hamlin had an INT, so it's nice that a defensive player not named Ware or Ratliff can make plays. Demarcus Ware led the team with 6 tackles. Adam Jones was next with 5.

Not a whole lot else to say, it was a typical Cowboys defense where they are getting beat at their own game. They stop the run pretty well but opponents pass all over them.

The Key:

I haven't mentioned this, but really the difference in the game was special teams. We let them return a kickoff for a TD to begin the game, and they blocked a kick and returned it for a TD in overtime. Our special teams allowed 2 scores, which was more than the difference in the game.

I realize I end nearly all of these with the same phrase, but it becomes truer and truer each week: We've got work to do.