Week 1 Recap (foreal this time)

This season is eerily beginning just like last season. Dallas had every chance to win last year's opener against Washington, but due to some poor play-calling and horrendous mistakes, they were defeated. That devestating loss propelled them into a downward spiral that lasted up until Wade Phillips was fired about halfway through the season.

Last night's opening game was not too much different. Dallas had control of the game and held a 14 point lead going into the 4th quarter. Due to mistakes on special teams, mistakes by Romo and critical injuries, The Jets were able to rally in the 4th quarter and it looks like the downward spiral may have begun again for these Cowboys. The question is, will they quickly break the curse or are they doomed to repeat their woes.

There were many factors that led to this loss. Injuries to CB Orlando Scandrick, CB Mike Jenkins and WR Dez Bryant didn't help anything (especially since Terence Newman was already inactive due to injury.) Having a punt blocked and returned for a TD didn't help anything. Romo throwing a foolish pass toward a double-covered Dez that got intercepted didn't help anything. Romo trying to run for a TD on a broken play on 3rd and goal, which he then fumbled, didn't help anything either. Overall, the 4th quarter was a comedy of errors.

It's not like anybody was predicting Dallas to win last night, but when you're heading into the 4th quarter with a 14 point lead, at that point you don't expect to lose. This is also the first game Dallas has lost after holding a 14 point lead in the 4th. Depressingly interesting.

The good news is that it is only the first game of the year... Sure the season could go the way of last year and Dallas could spiral into lose after lose after lose, but there's actually a decent chance they will pull off victories in the next three games (San Fransisco, Washington & Detroit.) If Dallas can carry a 3-1 record heading into the BYE (week 5) then things won't feel so grim.

If Dallas wants success, there are a lot of factors involved and a lot of things will need to be corrected and tightened up... it's funny, I said that we need to correct and tighten things up for the past 3 years but never had confidence that Wade Phillips would actually do anything. This season however, I have faith that Jason Garrett and Rob Ryan can enstill some discipline and actually correct problems. Maybe I'm just being optimistic.