Week 1 Recap - Dallas (34) @ Tampa Bay (21)

From a shaky start to a punishing finish, Dallas went down to Tampa Bay and racked up the first win of the season, and some records to go along with it. The final score was 34-21 and Dallas starts the season 1-0.

Tony Romo had career high passing yards with 353 total, and his longest career pass, an 80 yard touchdown pass to Patrick Crayton. Speaking of Crayton, he had career high yardage with 135 yards from 4 receptions.

Everyone seemed to touch the ball and the most impressive touchdowns were all for over 40 yards.

In the second quarter, Romo hit Austin for a 42 yard pass. In the third quarter, Roy Williams got open and broke two tackles as he ran in a 66 yard pass. That should hopefully put to rest some of the talk that Roy Williams is no 'play-maker.' ah..hem...

Nick Folk looked good nailing all extra points and both of his field goal attempts, one being a 51 yarder. Special teams also looked good and gave no reason for concern. I can definitely see Felix Jones busting a kickoff to the house at some point this season.

The running back committee was OK. Choice was surprisingly involved in the first quarter and managed 10 yards on 2 carries. He also was involved in the first we've seen of the Dallas 'wildcat' or should we say, 'razorback' formation (which didn't result in more than a yard or two.) It wasn't used again.

Felix Jones never achieved that breakout play that we may have been expecting, but with only 6 carries and 22 yards, he wasn't bad. He averaged 23 yards per kickoff return as well.

Marion Barber did everything we would hope he'd do. He punished when he had to, especially late in the game, and brought in the final Dallas touchdown to seal their win. I kind of like the idea of Choice and Felix taking most 1st half carries... sprinkle in just a little of Barber and then when the 2nd half comes around, let Barber's leash loose and watch him close the game with aggression.

OK, so it sounds like it was a great victory... the score was 34 - 21, sounds like Dallas did a great job... uhh... no... to every good story is the negative side which no one likes to talk about, so it hides near the very end of a blog post... (hehe)

At first I thought something was wrong with my eyes... was I truly watching my Dallas Cowboys defense out there? The inability to stop the run for the first 2 1/2 quarters really had me scratching my head. This was the team that took pride in their run defense (minus that Baltimore game, mind you,) and they were giving up huge chunks of yardage to... who? Cadillac Williams!? Bizzaro World for sure.

Another problem are penalties... and not just penalties, but penalties in very critical moments of the game. When the Cowboys finally get an interception, which has been as rare as four-leaf clovers lately... and it is negated by a penalty... there needs to be something done.

There were also a few minor flubs and a couple technical things that I hope get worked out. Hate to have to burn a timeout for a 2nd year player that isn't sure where to line up at... ah hem... Bennett... seriously, once Bennett gets more trust from Romo, he is gonna be a beeeaaast. Mark my words.

On the injury front... Romo hurt his right ankle, he will have it examined tomorrow, but says he is fine for next week. Gerald Sensabaugh got hit hard and left the game in the 3rd quarter, he also says x-rays were negative (ribs) and he will definitely be playing next week. Jenkins went down once or twice, but it was probably heat cramps, and DeMarcus Ware got knocked out early in the game, but he was back in their on the next defensive series.

Speaking of... there was not one sack. There may have been a dozen or so hurry ups and knock-downs, but neither DeMarcus Ware or Anthony Spencer ever brought Leftwich down. Sort of disappointing... I'm just not used to them not sacking every quarterback they play.

Well, I've rambled enough... sometime soon I hope to post a preview/prediction of next week, but for now, I am enjoying the victory. No matter how ugly they are, after the fact I'm just happy to see that 'W'.

Oh yea, speaking of my prediction, I was pretty close... my guess was 31-10, they went 34-21 (but really should have been 34-14 if it wasn't for the garbage-time Tampa Bay touchdown... oh well...)

Anyway... will update within the next couple of days... peace...