We’ve Got Answers, Yes We Do…
By Matt Cordon (kh). Filed in Questions Waiting for Answers |
[Followed by "we've got answers, how 'bout YOU?" Okay, that was dumb; still remembering Hoosiers from the other night, which featured that timeless cheer...]
Wow. With 1:23 left in the first quarter, Carolina went up 14-0 on an end around by Steve Smith. My comment at that point was, “Shall we discuss next year’s draft?”
But this kid from Eastern Illinois showed poise that I would have never expected of him. The running game picked up. The defense made some plays (and Carolina helped in many ways). This may have been the strangest 21-point win in franchise history, but it may turn out to be one of the more important in recent history. Of course, let’s not take this too far, but as I pointed out here, this game was very important even though the midway point is not yet here.
More than happy to get to those answers:
1. Does Romo’s performance give the Cowboys hope for the final ten games this season? I kind of have a feeling he will start pretty well but will make some mistakes midway through the second quarter or so. And when Carolina takes advantage of those mistakes, Dallas will be in catchup mode. Expect Romo to have two TD passes and two interceptions.
This actually wasn’t too far off. Romo threw an interception with 1:36 left in the first quarter, and the Panthers scored on the next play to take a 14-0 lead. But that was his only major mistake, and Romo responded on the next drive by hitting Jason Witten for a touchdown, cutting the Carolina lead to 14-7. Romo finished with 1 TD and 1 INT.
2. Does the defense bail the offense out this week? Very general question, but the defense needs to make plays to help the Cowboys win the field position game.
On paper, the defense looked really good. I don’t know how many drops Carolina had, and those drops certainly contributed to the loss, but the Panthers never really got anything going on a consistent basis. They finished with 204 net yards.
3. Does this line do anything differently this week to help Romo in his first start? Any improvement from last week, especially in the first half, would certainly help.
Carolina had three sacks, but the line was much better. Julius Peppers was held to two tackles and no sacks. Romo’s mobility in the pocket certainly helped.
4. Does Terrell Owens get more involved in the offense as some expect? Owens reportedly said he has a better bond with Romo than he had with Bledsoe.
I’d say so. Nine catches for 109 yards. The Cowboys got Owens involved early– as in the first offensive play of the game– and Owens later made some huge plays, including a 28-yard reception on 3rd and 8 from the Cowboys own 28 with 8:05 remaining. Though the Cowboys did not score on the drive, they were able to kill two and a half minutes off of the clock and then pin the Panthers on their own 2 (thanks to Steve Smith’s muff).
5. Does Dallas get Witten more involved in the offense? Witten should be the team’s best possession receiver, but he has been more involved in blocking than anything else. Several people have said they think that Witten will be a bigger threat with Romo at quarterback.
6 receptions for 80 yards and a TD. Two of Witten’s receptions game on third down plays. So I’d say that’s a pretty clear yes.
6. Prediction: Carolina 27, Dallas 17
Have a hard time seeing Romo winning at Carolina. Have a hard time seeing the Cowboys shut down both Steve Smith and Keyshawn Johnson. Have a hard time seeing Julius Jones run for 200 yards again. Have a hard time seeing DeMarcus Ware record three sacks again. Fortunately, the Cardinals win is pretty good consolation.
Romo won at Carolina. Steve Smith had 55 receiving yards. Keshawn Johnson had one catch for 19 yards. Julius Jones rushed for 92 yards, while Marion Barber tacked on 49 more and two TDs. Greg Ellis had two sacks. So I was wrong pretty much across the board– and really don’t care.
Technorati Tags: Dallas Cowboys, Carolina Panthers, Tony Romo
