Here we go again. The once “desperate” Dallas Cowboys have found a way to win in a must-win situation early in November. Last Sunday, the Cowboy’s defeated the Eagles 38-23 and went from desperate-for-a-win status to possible contender in the NFC East because of an unexpected Giants loss to the Bengals. When asked in his post game press conference about the importance of the win, Head Coach Jason Garrett told reporters in his post game press conference:
“It was a critical win for us. We had to come up here against a division rival, and win at their place…and again it was going to take a team effort, I thought our team worked really hard this week in practice…I thought they were focused, I thought they were focused throughout the ball game…there are going to be some highs and lows, some ups and downs, and you’ve got to play through them. When you have success, you’ve got to play through it, when you have adversity, you’ve got to play through, I think today’s game is a good example of that…again with any unit, but also across our whole football team.”
Garrett was right. The win was a team effort and Dallas will need this same effort going forward, especially if they want to make up for last year’s disastrous finish. Last season, the Cowboys found themselves in the same situation as they are in now. They had a (4-5) record coming off a win; while the 1st place Giants were (6-4) and coming off of two straight losses. With the rumors of Sean Payton looming in the background, Jason Garrett simply can’t afford another year of not making the playoffs.
This Sunday the Cowboys return home and welcome the (2-7) Cleveland Browns to Jerry World. The Browns are a young team with a talented offense and a struggling defense. Their defense has allowed opponents to average 248 passing yards and 132 rushing yards per game.
Expect the Cowboys to try and establish the run early and often with Felix Jones, despite the rumors of DeMarco Murray possibly returning from his foot injury. According to ESPN Dallas’ Clarence Hill, the Cowboys want Murray to be 100% healthy before he returns, especially with a divisional Thanksgiving game against the Redskins looming 4 days after this Sunday’s game against the Browns.
As for the defensive side of the ball, Rob Ryan’s group will look to keep forcing “takeovers” (he and the team refer to turnovers as takeovers). Against the Eagles, the Cowboys forced two takeovers and turned them into touchdowns. This Sunday, Ryan’s defense will face a rookie quarterback in Brandon Weeden who has thrown 12 interceptions this season.
The Cowboys should expect a bounce back game from rookie corner Morris Claiborne. Against the Eagles, Claiborne was penalized 5 times for 35 yards, which was more than 3 entire teams in week 10. After the game Claiborne told reporters and his team, “You won’t see another performance like that from me.”
Claiborne is a vital piece of the Cowboys defense. His ability to play press coverage allows the Cowboys to run more blitzes. Expect Claiborne, a Jim Thorpe Award Winner, unanimous All SEC and All American selection in college, to bounce back against the Browns.
Despite the Browns sub-par record and stats, the Cowboys can’t afford to look past this game. Dallas needs to keep their sense of urgency, play to their potential, and put together their first winning streak of the 2012 season. Like Jason Garrett said, “There will be highs and lows, you have got to play through them.” A win against the Browns is one way the Cowboys can put their early season lows behind them.
