Sep 28, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back
DeMarco Murray(29) runs with the ball against New Orleans Saints safety
Kenny Vaccaro(32) and cornerback
Corey White(24) at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
What a delayed reaction to a week four game that few saw coming. This was a complete team win, and the Cowboys looked impressive doing it. While it wasn’t perfect it was some of the best football we have seen the Dallas Cowboys play in a long time. DeMarco Murray is running like the best RB in the game. Tony Romo is playing smart and controlled. Even the defense is looking better than I thought they would be at this point in the season. So here is the delayed reaction of the game.
First, let’s look at the positives since this was a win:
1. Pound the Rock – The Dallas Cowboys have reinvented themselves this season as a team that is a scary running team. While all offseason we fans had heard there was going to be more commitment, many would only believe it once they saw it. Four weeks in there are quite a few believers. DeMarco Murray is playing outstanding, and the touches from Lance Dunbar and Joseph Randle have been quality. This could be a very fun season to watch if they can keep this up. Oh the offensive line gets a huge amount of credit in both the run game and the pass game.
2. Win the Turnover Battle – The Dallas Cowboys have been doing pretty good this season creating turnovers and taking advantage of them. That is how you will win football games. The play of the defense hasn’t been perfect, but no longer are many fans cringing when they take the field. Having Morris Claiborne injured will hurt, but I think this defense has the ability to keep the turnovers coming.
3. Playing Smart – This applies to both sides of the ball. There are not as many mental errors causing a ton of flags to be thrown. Also, Tony Romo isn’t trying to force the ball all over the field, and instead letting the game come to him and take what is given, heck he is even scrambling a little more. The defense is keeping the play in front of them and if you watch there is usually no less than 6 or 7 guys with their eyes on the QB as they are executing their defensive scheme. It is helping the turnovers and creating more incomplete passes.
Now, it wasn’t a perfect game and there are some negatives that still need to be fixed:
1. Pass Rush Anyone? – The defense finally got a sack near the end of the game, but the pass rush is just not there. Getting Anthony Spencer back and soon Josh Brent will help, but there has to be more pressure on the QBs. More pressure will take this defense to a whole other level that this team will need if it wants to make a push into the playoffs. I am not sure what the answer is yet, but Marinelli must be reading, because I asked for more blitzes a few weeks ago, and it is starting to happen.
2. Killer Instinct – It was an impressive win, but the Dallas Cowboys laid off the gas a little too early and let the Saints make it a game for a minute there. I am not sure who decided it was time to just go into cruise control, but there needs to be more killer instinct. I would have liked to see the Cowboys keep the foot on the pedal and play the game the way they had in the first half. They really need to make sure they don’t do that to the wrong team.
3. Return game – I know Dwayne Harris has been pretty good on punt returns, but on kickoffs there has been a little bit lacking. I haven’t really seen great field position yet on kickoffs. It isn’t bad, but I would like to see a little more than starting at the 25 or so once in a while. Maybe it is the blocking, maybe it is just how deep the returners are fielding the ball, but if they can get a little better field position to start, it can really be a scary team.
So there it is, the delayed reaction for week 4. Let me know what you guys think were the positives and negatives.