October victories: Texas Rangers 8, Dallas Cowboys 0.
This is better be the week the Cowboys stop making mistakes and start salvaging their 2010 season. In going 1-4 they have committed 62 penalties and forced only four takeaways. (Giants' defensive lineman Osi Umenyiora has forced six fumbles over the last three games and Washington Redskins' cornerback DeAngelo Hall picked off four passes - yesterday.)
There are ominous signs: Kyle Kosier is out, replaced by Montrae Holland. An offense ranked No. 3 in yards is only 16th in points because of the NFL's worst starting field position. The kickoff-coverage unit is also the league's most abysmal, surrendering an average of 32.9 yards per return and allowing runbacks of 73 and 92 yards to aid in the last two losses. And, above it all, is the lack of discipline. The Cowboys have more excessive celebration penalties (2) than wins (1).
A loss tonight against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football would seal their 1-5 coffin, and produce the team's worst start since 1989 and you-know-what.
The margin for error is kaput.
Hope, however, remains alive. If not well.
In the NFC East the Giants are 4-2, followed by the Eagles and Redskins at 4-3. The Cowboys win tonight and again next Sunday at home against lowly(er) Jacksonville and suddenly they're right back in this mediocre division ...
Don't ask me to break it down all Xs and Os-ey because it's not really about that; it's about the Cowboys win tonight.
In fact, the Cowboys win by 10+ points tonight.
