OK, so all you experts that said the Cowboys have given up on the run to quick, how do you like it now? There were very little complaints about the four game winning streaks. Then the Cowboys get whipped by the Packers. Instead of considering that Green Bay may have just beaten them and move on, the Cowboys apparently listen to the comments and criticism of owner, head coach , fan experts and talk show experts. Now I’d listen to the owner and head coach, but the other two aren’t on my radar as game plan changers.
I don’t have any problem with running the ball. With Haynesworth out for Washington, the Cowboys ran the ball effectively, but what did it get them. It shortened the game against a team that wasn’t as good and produced no points. It’s good to be able to run the ball, but you better be able to throw and catch to win big in this league. The Cowboys philosophy for this game will not produce a satisfactory record at the end of the season. Romo has to throw better than today and receivers have to make the tough catch.
The good thing is the defense is playing consistently well and the Cowboys are now 7-3, which gives them the third best record in the NFC. Take it and move on to the short week game against the Raiders.
The short week means that on Sunday night, the coaches went back to work instead of going home. The hurt players went for treatment instead of going home. The work week will consist of short non-contact practices, meetings and rest. All attention will be on Oakland, not on the Washington game. All game plans will be very conservative as there is no time to work on new things. Oakland is not a good team, but they are coming to Dallas after a surprising upset win on Sunday versus the favored Cincinnati Bengals 20-17.
The Cowboys are the better team, but if they play like they did on offense and the kicking game versus the Raiders, they could lose this, as fans and media see it as, sure thing win.
The one aspect to the Raider team that is excellent is their kickers. Sebastian Janikowski and Shane Lechler are an excellent combo that effect field position. McFadden and company can run the ball and the defense can play inconsistently well at times. The Cowboys hope to run the ball with efficiency, but they had better throw the ball better than against the Redskins, or there will be more trouble than they want. Get the win somehow, get to 8-3 which will be very good, take the weekend off and come back ready for the push to the playoffs.
