Dallas foots the Bills

It was long overdue, but the Dallas Cowboys were finally able to play a complete game in a 44-7 rout of the Buffalo Bills. The offense scored on their first 4 possessions, and the defense had 4 turnovers, including a "pick 6" by Terence Newman to round up the scoring.

What makes this win even more satisfying is that it came against a credible Buffalo team that looked every bit of a playoff contender as the season began. Three times this season (Jets, Lions & Patriots) Dallas held a considerable lead against good teams, but still ended up on the losing end when all was said and done. The lack of a legit running game, the inability to stop the pass, and woe of woes, the turnovers, are the very reason why the Cowboys are sitting at 5-4, instead of a possible 9-0 or even 8-1.

Murray could be the key to a successful playoff run.

This time however, there would be none of that, as Dallas took the lead and wouldn't relinquish it.  The emergence of DeMarco Murray has given life to a running game that was ineffective when it mattered most.  Felix Jones, the starter prior to a shoulder injury, has previously excelled in the role of a "change of pace" back, using his speed to break big runs.  The success of such plays, however, relies on the kind of run-blocking that can't always be executed on every down. 

A team's ability to run the ball for those "tough yards" does not only close games, but it is critical especially late in the season when race for playoff spots starts to get heated.  And while I'm not questioning Jones' ability as an "every-down" back, it is clear that Murray is more suited to this role. 

The blueprint for Dallas' success in years past has always been a tough defense, and a reliable running game.  There's been some really good running backs that have donned the "star" on their helmets: Duane Thomas, Calvin Hill, Walt Garrison, Tony Dorsett and Emmitt Smith, just to name a few.  The onus falls on Murray - who already owns the team record for most rushing yards in a single game - to carry on the tradition.

Tony Romo, who has always come under fire for his play during crunch moments, had a lot to smile about.  Other than a really good performance, it was the first time that he was fully healthy since the opening week.  He suffered a rib injury against San Francisco in the following week, but managed to play through the pain to aid a comeback that saw Dallas hand the Niners their only loss to date.

Another revelation has been receiver Laurent Robinson, who has stepped up to fill the shoes of an injured Miles Austin.  Robinson's reliability, and Murray's ability to catch out of the backfield, will only continue to open things up for Dez Bryant and Jason Witten.

Despite a considerable lack in depth, the Cowboys defense has played really well, and is the reason the team has even been able to compete in the tough games.  With the offense finally coming alive, their life should get a lot easier as most of their schedule consists of teams that have struggling offenses.

While there are no "gimme" games in the NFL, Dallas is in a great position to run the table, provided they can follow up this big win with similar complete performances.

Big baller, play caller.

Jason Garrett officially became the 8th head coach of the Dallas Cowboys this week,  after having served the last three and a half seasons as the offensive co-ordinator.  We also know the "great" job that he did as the "interim" coach; leading the Cowboys to a 5-3 record after the horrendous 1-7 start, in a season they were expected to play in February's Super Bowl that will be hosted in Jerry's World.

In the offseason, Dallas extended Wade Phillips' contract by 2 more years, on the heels of a strong finish that saw them not only win a division title, but a playoff game for the first time since 1996.  After a reality check beatdown by the Vikings, probably the last good game by Brett Favre, you kind of hoped that they would come back stronger in the next season.

Now this isn't a secret to anyone familiar with football, and the Dallas Cowboys to be precise.  The only thing that Jerry Jones really, really wanted, was to hoist the Lombardi trophy at the 50 yard line in his own stadium.  Anything short of that, and Wade Phillips would be gone.  It didn't matter if Dallas went 16-0, won the NFC title but lost in the Superbowl.  It had to be this season, or else.

Wade was sent packing after a loss to the Packers

Wade Phillips is a different kind of cat.  He's not going to get on the podium and give you sound bites like Jim Mora, or maybe even Herm Edwards.  He's not going to rip into players on the podium or even get in their face on the sidelines.  And he's definitely not the "fire and brimstone" kind of a coach.  You can call his style maybe soft, or whatever.  Just don't expect to get much from this guy. 

I guess the players eventually just stopped responding, and went out there doing their own thing.  The season just started out as a joke.  When the offensive line wasn't busy holding, they were being penalized for false starts.  The secondary couldn't stop anybody, you had Mike Jenkins (a pro bowler the previous season) bailing out on tackles; this team was a comedy of errors.

While Phillips dismissal was imminent, the problem that I have with his replacement is this; who was the offensive coordinator during the team's 1-7 start?  And why is it that offensive production goes up, just after Phillips was fired?  Certain things don't require a trained eye and this is one of those things.  A few other columnists have brought this up on national TV, so I guess I'm not alone in wondering whether there was possible sabotage.  Whenever an offense sputters, the offensive coordinator is usually demoted or fired; but you can't fire a guy that's about replace you, especially when he's got the full faith and credit of the team owner.

Garrett made his career as a backup QB

What's done is done.  Garrett is the new sheriff in town and he has been charged with the mission of leading the Cowboys to success, much like he enjoyed during his stint as a backup quarterback.  He was on 2 Super Bowl winning teams and is fondly remembered for leading the Cowboys to a Thanksgiving day win over Green Bay in 1994.  He still retains his play-calling duties and has full control of personnel matters; so there isn't a player who will be on that team without his approval.

I'm sure if Jerry Jones could have had it any other way, maybe Garrett would have been head coach sooner, instead of the soap opera that unfolded when Bill Parcells had left.  However, if there is a team capable of playing out a soap opera, it can only be Dallas.