DMN: Romo and Dez shine again (but it’s still not enough); Don’t blame Ryan too much

[WoodysGirl]

By Jon Machota / Special Contributor
jmachota@dallasnews.com
3:55 pm on December 23, 2012 | Permalink

ARLINGTON – Here are my five thoughts on the Cowboys falling to 8-7, a game back of Washington for the NFC East lead, with one game remaining.

1.) Jason Garrett’s bunch have become Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles fans. One of those teams needs to defeat the New York Giants to give the Cowboys a playoff shot with a win next Sunday in Washington. The Cowboys need to win the division to reach the postseason. They can’t do that without a Giants loss. But even that might not be enough. With the way the Redskins are playing, winning their last six in a row, the Cowboys will have no chance without an effective running game. The Saints held the Cowboys to 40 yards on the ground. That won’t get it done in Washington.

2.) Yes, the Cowboys allowed 34 points Sunday and that’s rarely going to earn a victory. But take a step back before putting too much blame on Rob Ryan and the defense. Despite the underachieving year the Saints have had, their offense is still elite. The Cowboys defense is obviously not elite. And there’s only so much you can do with the patchwork group they’ve been putting on the field. Five starters (Jay Ratliff, Kenyon Coleman, Bruce Carter, Sean Lee and Barry Church) and several key reserves were missing. To make things worse, Ernie Sims, Alex Albright and DeMarcus Ware all exited with injuries Sunday. The inside linebacking corps was left with only Brady Poppinga and Dan Connor. Frankly, I’m surprised they hung in there the way they did.

3.) Earlier this week, Tony Romo said: “I believe when I step on the field in the fourth quarter, if we’re within 10-14 points, we’re going to find a way to win the ballgame.” The Cowboys were within seven entering the fourth quarter and went down 14 before Romo rallied the troops. Romo is in a good place right now, and that gives the Cowboys a chance in any game. He threw for 416 yards and four touchdowns on Sunday. It should be entertaining to see how Romo responds after throwing for 441 yards, 3 TDs and 2 INTs in his last game against the Redskins.

Read the rest: http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/20...rob-ryan.html/

[newlander]

that defensive unit was GARBAGE today: specifically the LB'ers: Dan Connor is a clown, just flat out a circus clown

[Idgit]

Originally Posted by newlander

that defensive unit was GARBAGE today: specifically the LB'ers: Dan Connor is a clown, just flat out a circus clown

There's something to be said for matchups in the NFL.

[RastaRocket]

Originally Posted by newlander

that defensive unit was GARBAGE today: specifically the LB'ers: Dan Connor is a clown, just flat out a circus clown

I thought Connor had one of his better games...

[Beast_from_East]

Originally Posted by Idgit

There's something to be said for matchups in the NFL.

Exactly, in this league you have to be able to match up your personnel with the other team's personnel.

We just didnt have the horses to shut down an offense like the Saints, too many mismatches all over the field.

[dallasdave]

Originally Posted by WoodysGirl

By Jon Machota / Special Contributor
jmachota@dallasnews.com
3:55 pm on December 23, 2012 | Permalink

ARLINGTON – Here are my five thoughts on the Cowboys falling to 8-7, a game back of Washington for the NFC East lead, with one game remaining.

[View Full Quote]1.) Jason Garrett’s bunch have become Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles fans. One of those teams needs to defeat the New York Giants to give the Cowboys a playoff shot with a win next Sunday in Washington. The Cowboys need to win the division to reach the postseason. They can’t do that without a Giants loss. But even that might not be enough. With the way the Redskins are playing, winning their last six in a row, the Cowboys will have no chance without an effective running game. The Saints held the Cowboys to 40 yards on the ground. That won’t get it done in Washington.

2.) Yes, the Cowboys allowed 34 points Sunday and that’s rarely going to earn a victory. But take a step back before putting too much blame on Rob Ryan and the defense. Despite the underachieving year the Saints have had, their offense is still elite. The Cowboys defense is obviously not elite. And there’s only so much you can do with the patchwork group they’ve been putting on the field. Five starters (Jay Ratliff, Kenyon Coleman, Bruce Carter, Sean Lee and Barry Church) and several key reserves were missing. To make things worse, Ernie Sims, Alex Albright and DeMarcus Ware all exited with injuries Sunday. The inside linebacking corps was left with only Brady Poppinga and Dan Connor. Frankly, I’m surprised they hung in there the way they did.

3.) Earlier this week, Tony Romo said: “I believe when I step on the field in the fourth quarter, if we’re within 10-14 points, we’re going to find a way to win the ballgame.” The Cowboys were within seven entering the fourth quarter and went down 14 before Romo rallied the troops. Romo is in a good place right now, and that gives the Cowboys a chance in any game. He threw for 416 yards and four touchdowns on Sunday. It should be entertaining to see how Romo responds after throwing for 441 yards, 3 TDs and 2 INTs in his last game against the Redskins.

Read the rest: http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/20...rob-ryan.html/

Has DEZ shown he is the man? I think so.