On Sunday September 11, 2011, the Dallas Cowboys lost to the New York Jets 27-24. As a longtime Dallas Cowboys fan, the game completely frustrated me. Here are some quick thoughts on the game.
The "D" Is Back In Dallas
The Cowboys defense played very well last night. They pressured Jets QB Mark Sanchez most of the night, sacking him four times. They forced turnovers. Sanchez threw an interception and the Jets fumbled three times. The defense held the Jets to just 45 yards rushing. You cannot fault the Cowboys defense for this loss. We all know that defense wins championships. Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan already has them playing well. This was a welcome sight.
Poor Offensive Execution
The Cowboys had never lost a game when leading by two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, until last night. That is what makes the loss inexcusable and completely frustrating to me. Cowboys QB Tony Romo's poor throw led to a fourth quarter interception. The Cowboys also allowed their punt to be blocked, leading to a touchdown. These were the primary reasons for their fourth quarter collapse. Give the Jets credit for forcing the turnovers and completing a great comeback.
Two Steps Backward For Romo
I realize Romo threw for 342 yards and played well at times. But he made some poor decisions that really hurt the Cowboys. In the second half, he scrambled toward the goal line and lost the football. Romo was trying to do too much. He should have slid. A field goal in that spot would have given the Cowboys a two-possession lead. Another mistake was his poor throw to Bryant late in the game. That interception resulted in the winning field goal by the Jets. Romo has to play smarter than this if the Cowboys are going to be successful this year.
Dez Bryant Is the Real Deal
Cowboys WR Dez Bryant is for real. He will be one of the most exciting players to watch in the NFL this season. He has freakish athleticism and he can catch the ball. The first drive for the Cowboys showcased Bryant and ended with a great touchdown reception. Bryant was fatigued in the second half, limiting his effectiveness. Hopefully this was just a result of poor game preparation.
There Is a Silver Lining
This was a game the Cowboys should have won. But poor offensive execution in the second half did them in. The turnovers killed them. But we cannot forget that the Jets are a very good team. They are a playoff team that is stacked with talent on both sides of the ball. At times, the Cowboys dominated the Jets. The Cowboys just could not close them out. Part of the blame should go to Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett. When a team loses a two-touchdown lead in the fourth quarter, I question the play calling. I think the Cowboys will rally around this loss. They will correct their offensive mistakes. As far as the defense, they played well. The defense will continue to get better.
At times last night, the Cowboys were the better team. In the end, the Jets proved that they were the better team. The Cowboys showed their potential but they are not ready to be put in the same class as the Jets, not right now anyway. There is still a lot of football left.
Edwin Torres has been a fan of the Dallas Cowboys since the days of Tony Dorsett and Roger Staubach. He enjoyed watching the Dallas teams of the '90s dominate opponents on both sides of the ball. Living in New Jersey, he is sandwiched between Giants and Eagles fans. But that has never deterred him from being a fan of America's team.
