Losing these close games is very frustrating...and the stats about the D in the 4th quarter is disconcerting. That said, a major factor is turnover margin. Regardless of what one might think about Red and his staff, they certainly preach protecting the ball and forcing turnovers...both of which ultimately fall on the players on the field. Despite what Skippy tweets, I don't think the players or coaches are comfortable with losing period, particularly close games in the fashion they've lost some in. This team has continued to play hard & remain competitive if nothing else.
Several players have underperformed this year...despite playing in the same scheme the previous season. As I mentioned in another thread, Marinelli's last two DC gigs were the 2012 Bears & the 2014 Boys. The 2012 Bears finished with a league-leading 44 takeaways, were 3rd in points allowed, and finished top 10 in sacks & vs. the run. The 2014 Cowboys had 31 takeaways (2nd in the NFL), and finished 8th vs. the run. The pass rush was the problem last season...so they added guys like Hardy & Gregory. But again, some players have simply underperformed.
They've also tried making changes, to include: starting Jones, replacing Leary with Collins, replacing Patmon with White and then going back to Patmon, releasing Randle & going with primarily one back in McFadden, replacing Weeden with Cassel, etc.
It's not just Romo they've played without. They've also been without Scandrick, Dunbar, T. McClain, etc...and a host of other players at various points. But with Romo, I'd say this team is 7-1 or 6-2 despite the other deficiencies. Look at the difference Newton's play & a very solid defense has made in Carolina...despite missing Kelvin Benjamin. Flip that around, and even Aaron Rodgers hasn't been able to cover up for the Packers deficiencies in the last 2 games, one in which he was held to under 100 yards passing & the other where he threw the game-deciding Int. after coming back. Being short Nelson has shown up as well. Add in teams like the Eagles, Lions, etc...who have been relatively healthy, but have fallen well short of some predicted expectations.
