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Five thoughts: DeMarco Murray carries Dallas in recipe to contend for playoffs
By Jon Machota
jmachota@dallasnews.com
3:05 pm on September 14, 2014 | Permalink
After turning in an embarrassing performance in the season opener, the Dallas Cowboys bounced back with an impressive all-around showing in Tennessee. The underdog Cowboys raced to a 16-0 halftime lead and never looked back.
Here are my five thoughts on the Cowboys’ 26-10 win over the Titans on Sunday.
1.) We called for more DeMarco Murray and we got it. The Cowboys committed to the run early and Murray benefited greatly. Sure, he had another first-half fumble, but he also ran 29 times for 167 yards and a touchdown. Murray’s effectiveness allowed the Cowboys to out-gain Tennessee 209-68 in the first half. Perhaps the biggest positive to come from Murray’s big day, it kept the Dallas defense fresh. That will be the recipe to contending for a playoff spot. Run the ball, run the clock. When that’s happening, an average-at-best defense isn’t on the field getting worn down.
2.) At most, the Cowboys could have to surrender a sixth-round pick in their off-season trade for Rolando McClain. If he continues playing like he has through the first two weeks, that’s about as big of a steal as you’ll see in the NFL today. McClain was a monster on the field again on Sunday. He was all over the place, throwing players around, making plays and leading the Cowboys with seven tackles. And his incredible fourth-quarter interception helped secure the victory. As long as he’s interested and motivated, McClain is easily the Cowboys’ best defender.
3.) The rest of the defense deserves some praise as well. They don’t have DeMarcus Ware, Jason Hatcher and Sean Lee, but they’ve been very solid for six of the eight quarters they’ve played this season. They got a couple of takeaways, sacked Jake Locker twice and held Tennessee to 2-of-10 on third down. And the defensive backs made some key plays down the stretch. Brandon Carr, Sterling Moore, Morris Claiborne, Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox combined for seven pass deflections. So far, Rod Marinelli has been a magician.
4.) Is there a better kicker than Dan Bailey? It’s easy to almost take him for granted. I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t make it to the Pro Bowl this season. What did he do in Tennessee? Oh, just another day at the office, drilling field goals from 44, 48, 48 and 51 yards. And none were even close to being short or wide. Every one, right down the middle. What a great weapon to have.
5.) Tony Romo has to get more protection. Surgically-repaired back or not, it’s never good to be sacked four times and hit on five other occasions. You can’t have him taking that many hits every week. Romo still looked short on most of his deep passes, but he made better decisions on Sunday, completing 19-of-29 throws with one touchdown and no interceptions. I wouldn’t say Romo looks 100 percent back to the player he was, but if Murray is running like he did Sunday, the Cowboys will be just fine with the current version of Romo.
By Jon Machota
jmachota@dallasnews.com
3:05 pm on September 14, 2014 | Permalink
After turning in an embarrassing performance in the season opener, the Dallas Cowboys bounced back with an impressive all-around showing in Tennessee. The underdog Cowboys raced to a 16-0 halftime lead and never looked back.
Here are my five thoughts on the Cowboys’ 26-10 win over the Titans on Sunday.
1.) We called for more DeMarco Murray and we got it. The Cowboys committed to the run early and Murray benefited greatly. Sure, he had another first-half fumble, but he also ran 29 times for 167 yards and a touchdown. Murray’s effectiveness allowed the Cowboys to out-gain Tennessee 209-68 in the first half. Perhaps the biggest positive to come from Murray’s big day, it kept the Dallas defense fresh. That will be the recipe to contending for a playoff spot. Run the ball, run the clock. When that’s happening, an average-at-best defense isn’t on the field getting worn down.
2.) At most, the Cowboys could have to surrender a sixth-round pick in their off-season trade for Rolando McClain. If he continues playing like he has through the first two weeks, that’s about as big of a steal as you’ll see in the NFL today. McClain was a monster on the field again on Sunday. He was all over the place, throwing players around, making plays and leading the Cowboys with seven tackles. And his incredible fourth-quarter interception helped secure the victory. As long as he’s interested and motivated, McClain is easily the Cowboys’ best defender.
3.) The rest of the defense deserves some praise as well. They don’t have DeMarcus Ware, Jason Hatcher and Sean Lee, but they’ve been very solid for six of the eight quarters they’ve played this season. They got a couple of takeaways, sacked Jake Locker twice and held Tennessee to 2-of-10 on third down. And the defensive backs made some key plays down the stretch. Brandon Carr, Sterling Moore, Morris Claiborne, Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox combined for seven pass deflections. So far, Rod Marinelli has been a magician.
4.) Is there a better kicker than Dan Bailey? It’s easy to almost take him for granted. I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t make it to the Pro Bowl this season. What did he do in Tennessee? Oh, just another day at the office, drilling field goals from 44, 48, 48 and 51 yards. And none were even close to being short or wide. Every one, right down the middle. What a great weapon to have.
5.) Tony Romo has to get more protection. Surgically-repaired back or not, it’s never good to be sacked four times and hit on five other occasions. You can’t have him taking that many hits every week. Romo still looked short on most of his deep passes, but he made better decisions on Sunday, completing 19-of-29 throws with one touchdown and no interceptions. I wouldn’t say Romo looks 100 percent back to the player he was, but if Murray is running like he did Sunday, the Cowboys will be just fine with the current version of Romo.
