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A week ago, it didn't feel as though that was the case, because they were just so banged up on defense and quarterback Tony Romo was really starting to look like a 34-year-old coming off multiple back procedures. They were embarrassed by the San Francisco 49ers at home to open the season, and we were ready to write them off.
But truly bad teams don't go on the road and win 26-10. Their Week 2 opponent, the Tennessee Titans, isn't exactly a juggernaut, but the fact the 'Boys were able to go out and take a team that won by double digits on the road the previous week and completely push them around for four quarters indicates this season might not be lost after all.
Now here they are with an opportunity to get a boost on NFC East rivals Washington and New York—and maybe even pull into an early tie for the division lead if the 'Skins can beat Philadelphia—by simply disposing of a St. Louis Rams team that is missing its best offensive player (quarterback Sam Bradford) and one of its best defensive players (defensive end Chris Long).
But if the Cowboys are going to take care of St. Louis on the road and continue to build moment toward a potential Cinderella season, they do have to realize that Romo has some clear limitations. This team can no longer win by simply chucking the ball to receivers Dez Bryant and Terrance Williams and/or tight end Jason Witten.
Romo hasn't been himself. His passes haven't had as much zip and he hasn't been as accurate or as mobile as we're used to. Everybody insists back issues aren't affecting his play, but that's hard to believe, especially considering he sat out practice Wednesday due to tightness in said back.
The Romo I remember wouldn't throw this in the dirt, well short of a wide-open Witten:
And no, he wasn't under pressure there...
And he's been long or high as often as he's been short or low.
ESPN.com's Todd Archer sums it up:
Romo has not looked the same, despite what he, Jerry Jones and Jason Garrett say. I think he's working his way back into game speed after being limited so much in the offseason and in four preseason games because of back surgery last December. He has not had the same zip on passes. He has not moved around as well as he has in the past. It's all intermittent right now. The back can be a tricky thing and it takes some time to heal.
As does Jean-Jacques Taylor of ESPNDallas.com:
Tony Romo can give me a million different explanations about why some of his passes wobble or lack zip, and I’m probably not going to believe him. He just doesn’t look right. I’ve seen 109 of the 110 NFL starts he has made in person, and I’ve never questioned whether he had a strong arm. Now, I do. Maybe, he’ll get stronger as the season goes on. Perhaps, he’ll adjust the way he plays to protect his back and to limit his deep balls. He can still help the Cowboys win games, but I don’t think he can do it as the focal point of the offense.
Based on a formula generated by Pro Football Focus (subscription required) that takes drops, throw-aways, spikes, batted passes and hits into account, Romo has been accurate on 69.4 percent of his throws this season, which ranks 22nd among 28 qualifying quarterbacks and is down 5 percent from his 2013 rate.
Additionally, he's only been able to complete one of six deep pass attempts (20-plus yards) through two weeks, per PFF. Last year, he was 21-of-56 on those throws.
It's a far cry from 2011, when a spry Romo and his healthy back completed 32 of 61 deep passes, ranking second behind only league MVP Aaron Rodgers in terms of deep accuracy percentage.
The reality is Romo might never get that back. But the good news is running back DeMarco Murray has the tools and the support to become the focal point on offense.
Behind an offense line featuring three 23-year-old recent first-round picks that threw Tennessee's front seven around like rag dolls Sunday, Murray ran for 167 yards on 29 rushes. He leads the NFL with 285 rushing yards and his 5.6-yard average ranks first among all backs with at least 30 carries (well ahead of Le'Veon Bell, who sits at 5.3).
And it's not as though this is a fluke. Last year, Murray was the only back in football to average more than 5.1 yards per carry on at least 200 attempts. At 26, he's smack dab in the middle of his prime, ready to have a career year.
That doesn't mean Romo can afford to become a custodian of a quarterback. Nowadays, you can't be successful in this league without a quarterback who can make big throws, and Romo will eventually have to do that. He has to do enough to keep defenses honest, which was ironically Murray's job in years past.
With Bryant, Witten and Williams as well as a superb group of pass protectors, that shouldn't be an overly difficult task.
And it helps that the defense has surpassed expectations so far. Without their top two defensive linemen and two starting linebackers from last season, Dallas somehow ranks in the top 12 in terms of points and yards allowed.
It's early, and they still aren't getting enough sacks (three in two games) or takeaways (two), but it bodes well that top cornerback Orlando Scandrick (suspension) is ready to return, top pass-rusher Anthony Spencer (injured knee) is getting closer to making his season debut and Pro Bowl defensive tackle Henry Melton (groin) is increasing his presence each week.
There are obviously durability concerns regarding Murray himself. He's been fragile in the past and the fourth-year back has never been able to play a full season. But with that line leading the way and quality backups Lance Dunbar (5.0 yards per carry in 2013) and Joseph Randle (26 yards on three carries versus Tennessee) keeping him fresh, he has a chance to survive this season.
That run-first approach with Murray leading the way should come in handy Sunday in St. Louis. Although the Rams don't have Long, they've still got defensive end Robert Quinn, who had 19 sacks last season. This is a team that had the league's third-highest sack total last year and can do some damage to Romo if given the opportunity.
Besides, they've already allowed two opposing offensive players to rush for 100-plus yards this season, they're one of only four teams that have surrendered more than 5.4 yards per carry on defense and they've been owned by Murray twice in the past.
Romo knows it's time to complement Murray for once. He admitted as much this week, per ESPNDallas.com's Tim MacMahon.
That's what a really good team is; everyone is complementary of each other. I'm all for going out and having games like we just had and playing the way Seattle has the last few years and just having those style of games. It makes everyone's job easier. If we continue to do that I think we'll have a great chance to be where we want to be at the end of the year.
But Romo's got the bigger contract, owner Jerry Jones loves a show and head coach Jason Garrett has never been disciplined when it comes to running the ball. Saying there'll be a shift in focus isn't the same as doing it.
If the Cowboys can stick to their guns this time, starting Sunday against the Rams, they might have a chance to prove everybody wrong.
Brad Gagnon has covered the NFC East for Bleacher Report since 2012.
Follow @Brad_Gagnon
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