Before the NFL regular season kicked off, the Dallas Cowboys were already being crowned the near-unanimous No. 1 team in the NFC and possibly the entire league.
Then, New England Patriots’ MVP quarterback Tom Brady suffered a season-ending injury that only strengthened the argument for the Cowboys’ coronation.
It looked like no team could stop the Cowboys. First they traveled to Cleveland to play a team that was highly touted and made them look like a high school team.
The next Sunday was no different, with the Cowboys beating a Philadelphia squad that has arguably the most dominant offense in the league.
In week three, the so-called best teams in the NFC played one another, and it ended with the Cowboys convincingly beating the Green Bay Packers.
Everything looked exactly how analysts and fans predicted.
Since then, the Cowboys have had more injuries than they know what to do with, including one to American icon and team leader Tony Romo.
Replacing the broken-fingered pro-bowler has mainly been Brad Johnson, who is almost a statue in the backfield. Johnson has been sacked eight times in three weeks, which is more than Romo had in six weeks.
But mobility isn’t the only downfall to having Johnson under center. He’s thrown five interceptions and just two touchdowns while completing 52.6% of his passes. He currently holds a 50.5 quarterback rating.
Replacing him for Brooks Bollinger didn’t have much of an effect either.
So obviously the biggest cancer to the team is injuries, mainly to Romo. But other star players have not been on the field either. In fact, elite cornerback Terence Newman has been out and his absence has drastically affected an already weak secondary.
And not having speed at tailback has made the running attack difficult, since rookie Felix Jones has been hurt.
Last but not least, you can’t forget the injury to the team’s leading receiver, Jason Witten. That’s just one less talented player to block and receive passes from Johnson.
The road is not looking good for the Cowboys, especially after losing three of their last four games.
The chances of winning the division can improve when Romo returns, but until then they look slim. In fact, the chance of even getting a wild card spot doesn’t look likely.
Currently, eight teams in the NFC have a better winning percentage than the Cowboys and three are from the NFC East, putting them in last place. In the span of a few weeks, they’ve gone from pre-anointed champion to division doormat.
If only Jessica Simpson could start dating Eli Manning.
— MJ Casiano is a broadcast and electronic media sophomore.
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BDOU2008 3 years, 6 months ago
Tony Romo doesn't play defense, and boy do the cowboys need some defense.
dbh 3 years, 6 months ago
THE BOYS are back led by T. Romo and a offensive explosion that will jolt the NFL the rest to the season. Just watch and remember sooner d told you all!!!!
chubbychaser126 3 years, 6 months ago
Thats weird I thought Dallas was crumbling before the injuries, as in losing to Washington at home and squeking by the awful Bengals.