What a game that we all experienced yesterday!
As I type this I’m nervously anticipating a flag for a false start on me. 18 penalties? Dude!
Obviously Tony Romo was injured and we all wept, but we are 2-0 and that needs to be celebrated and put into proper perspective. That’s what I’m here to do! (besides eat all of the donuts).
Run Game
It appears like the season long question of who will be toting the rock for the Dallas Cowboys has been answered. Joseph Randle scampered 18 times for 51 yards while DMC chipped in 10 for 31. The offensive line didn’t get as much push as we’re used to seeing from the group up front, but to be fair that is a stout Eagles defensive line that they were going up against.
Pass Game
Tony Romo is the most critical element to this team, that’s a fact; however, the pass game wasn’t setting any records before he left for the day. Divisional games are usually tough and low-scoring considering how well these teams know each other, but we’ve come to expect more from our Cowboys.
The absence of Dez Bryant seemed to be felt early in the game when Romo went to Escobar for a touchdown on the usual back-shoulder throw to #88. Escobar was unable to haul it in unfortunately, but Terrance Williams did seem to help fill the Dez void. He caught 4 balls for 84 yards and a touchdown making some big catches along the way.
Offensive Line
La’el Collins got a lot of work at the left guard position and looked pretty good doing so. The unit as a whole played fairly well all things considered and we are going to need them more than ever for the next two months. What the gentlemen up front really need to work on is the false starts. Yesterday was flag-a-palooza all over the field, but they were called for numerous false starts in what didn’t seem to be too loud of a stadium.
Looking Forward
The biggest sign of optimism moving forward (and what will be a heavily discussed stat line all week) was how good (relax I’m saying good, not great) Brandon Weeden looked. 7 for 7 for 73 yards and a touchdown without Dez Bryant? Against what a lot of people believe to be the best defense in the division? Not too shabby.
The pass game is going to look drastically different next week without #9, but Brandon Weeden showed yesterday that he’s capable of a “game manager” type role within the offense. The team is going to need more from the run game through this stretch without Tony Romo. I’d expect Christine Michael to finally be activated for a game seeing as he’s had two weeks to learn the playbook and will be needed along with Randle, DMC, and Dunbar.
What were your thoughts on our offensive performance on Sunday? Email me your thoughts at rjochoa@insidethestar.com or Tweet @rjochoa.
