The Dallas Cowboys win but don’t look impressive
Last year, the New York Giants perfected the art of winning while looking as if they’re struggling the whole time. Maybe that’s the Dallas Cowboys’ blueprint for victory this year. They sure didn’t look comfortable and commanding. The first quarter started one way and then things turned around. The San Francisco 49ers had the ball inside the Cowboy 10-yard-line twice in the first quarter. The 49ers came away with only two field goals to show for all their effort. Using a combination of play-action passes, the 49ers shredded the Cowboys’ secondary.
The first quarter was a complete disaster for the Cowboys’ offense also. They weren’t able to run the ball. They were’t able to throw the ball. Either Tony Romo was missing wide-open receivers or San Francisco was playing outstanding pass defense.
In the second quarter, the whole game changed. Tony Romo went back to pass, avoided one pass-rusher and found Terrell Owens for a 75-yard touchdown strike. From that moment on, the Dallas Cowboys played a completely different game.
The Cowboys still have a lot of work to do. Their defense has clearly improved over the last four weeks, but don’t be fooled. They’re not close to having the dominating defense they’ll need to be in order to be the New York Giants. They gave up over 300 yards passing to Shaun Hill. The Cowboys’ offense has also improved. They also have a lot of work to do. The offensive line is better but it definitely needs to tighten up. Their pass-blocking is not consistent. I’m still not convinced that the Cowboys will make it to the playoffs.
