The Dallas Cowboys still haven't won without Tony Romo.
Despite making a quarterback change, the Cowboys still couldn't find any consistency in the passing game in a critical loss to the New York Giants, 27-20, on Sunday.
Matt Cassel replaced Brandon Weeden (who took over for an injured Romo in Week 2) and did what Weeden didn't: throw picks. Cassel was picked off three times — in a five-pass span, no less — in the loss. He finished the game 17 of 27 passing with a touchdown and one rush for four yards.
In 98 pass attempts, Weeden threw only two picks.
Cassel's first interception was run back 58 yards for a touchdown by the Giants' Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to give the Giants a 17-13 third-quarter lead, although the pick was probably as much the fault of the intended receiver, Terrance Williams, as it was on Cassel.
You can't say the same about the next two picks he threw. Both were on Cassel as the Cowboys gave away two possessions, although the Cowboys' defense held firm and only allowed a field goal after those to keep the game in reach.
Cassel actually drove the Cowboys back on a strong drive, hitting Williams for 21 yards and Devin Street for a 25-yard touchdown — both beautifully thrown passes and both great catches with excellent footwork by the receivers. That tied the game and gave Cassel and the Cowboys hope, knotting the game at 20-20 with just over seven minutes remaining.
For a few moments, anyway. Former Cowboys returner Dwayne Harris ran back the ensuing kickoff for the Giants 100 yards for a touchdown and a lead they would not relinquish.
The Cowboys got the ball back but showed how much faith they had in Cassel by calling seven straight run plays. The first time Cassel dropped back to pass, he was sacked, and his final two pass attempts of the game were incomplete. Cassel's throw on 4th and 8 never had a chance: He threw a checkdown to reserve tight end James Hanna five yards or more short of the sticks, and the Cowboys were stopped on downs.
Although the offense had its moments on Sunday, with running back Darren McFadden (29 rushes, 152 yards, TD) shoulding the load offensively, the Cassel effect was not a positive one overall. The Cowboys scored 20 points Sunday after averaging 18 in three Weeeden starts.
It's clear the Cowboys need Dez Bryant and Romo to speed up their healing for the 2-4 Cowboys — and 0-4 without Romo starting — to have any shot of returning to the postseason a year after they won 12 games and nearly pulled an upset over the Green Bay Packers on the road.
Despite making a quarterback change, the Cowboys still couldn't find any consistency in the passing game in a critical loss to the New York Giants, 27-20, on Sunday.
Matt Cassel replaced Brandon Weeden (who took over for an injured Romo in Week 2) and did what Weeden didn't: throw picks. Cassel was picked off three times — in a five-pass span, no less — in the loss. He finished the game 17 of 27 passing with a touchdown and one rush for four yards.
In 98 pass attempts, Weeden threw only two picks.
Cassel's first interception was run back 58 yards for a touchdown by the Giants' Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to give the Giants a 17-13 third-quarter lead, although the pick was probably as much the fault of the intended receiver, Terrance Williams, as it was on Cassel.
You can't say the same about the next two picks he threw. Both were on Cassel as the Cowboys gave away two possessions, although the Cowboys' defense held firm and only allowed a field goal after those to keep the game in reach.
Cassel actually drove the Cowboys back on a strong drive, hitting Williams for 21 yards and Devin Street for a 25-yard touchdown — both beautifully thrown passes and both great catches with excellent footwork by the receivers. That tied the game and gave Cassel and the Cowboys hope, knotting the game at 20-20 with just over seven minutes remaining.
For a few moments, anyway. Former Cowboys returner Dwayne Harris ran back the ensuing kickoff for the Giants 100 yards for a touchdown and a lead they would not relinquish.
The Cowboys got the ball back but showed how much faith they had in Cassel by calling seven straight run plays. The first time Cassel dropped back to pass, he was sacked, and his final two pass attempts of the game were incomplete. Cassel's throw on 4th and 8 never had a chance: He threw a checkdown to reserve tight end James Hanna five yards or more short of the sticks, and the Cowboys were stopped on downs.
Although the offense had its moments on Sunday, with running back Darren McFadden (29 rushes, 152 yards, TD) shoulding the load offensively, the Cassel effect was not a positive one overall. The Cowboys scored 20 points Sunday after averaging 18 in three Weeeden starts.
It's clear the Cowboys need Dez Bryant and Romo to speed up their healing for the 2-4 Cowboys — and 0-4 without Romo starting — to have any shot of returning to the postseason a year after they won 12 games and nearly pulled an upset over the Green Bay Packers on the road.
