Cowboys Win Ugly

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It will not matter in January when the NFL announces division winners and playoff wildcards, but Cowboys fans have little to cheer about after the team’s 16-10 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at Cowboys Stadium.

Coming off a loss in Seattle where the Cowboys were totally whipped up and down the field, most expected Dallas to rebound during their home opener and establish their dominance.  It did not happen.

The Cowboys’ offensive line was manhandled throughout the game.  Quarterback Tony Romo never had time to get into rythm as he was hit time after time.  Officially, Romo was sacked 4 times.  

When the o-line was not getting shoved backwards, they were either holding of getting called for a false start.  The Cowboys were flagged for 6 false starts and 2 holding penalties.  That amounts to 50 yards going in the wrong direction – more yards than the team had rushing.

The Dallas defense kept the ‘Boys in the game.  The Buccaneers were held to only 166 total yards in the game, and only 20% third down conversions.  A Sean Lee interception put the Cowboys in position for their only touchdown of the game.

Unfortunately for the Cowboys, safety Barry Church was lost for the season with a torn Achilles tendon.

The Dallas offense struggled to move the ball, with Romo under siege on every play, and his passes off-target on the few times he did have time to throw.   Romo completed just 25 of 39 passes for 283 yards.  Miles Austin accounted for most of that total with 107 yards on 5 catches.  Tight end Jason Whitten dropped 3 passes for the second-straight game and totaled only 8 yards on 2 catches.  Kevin Ogletree had

another  big day with 5 catches for 57 yards.

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Dez Bryant caught 6 passes for 62 yards, but it was his 44 yard punt return in the 4th quarter that made the biggest impact, as it set up the Cowboy’s third field goal and sealed the win.

The Cowboys had no effective rushing attack.  Running back DeMarco Murray was limited to 38 yards on 18 carries.

With back-to-back poor games, the Cowboys are lucky to be 2-1 and tied for the division lead.  They will have to find a solution to sloppy play before hosting the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football October 1st.

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