What we learned: Romo, Barber co-star
by Clifton Brown
LANDOVER, Md. -- Five things we learned watching the Dallas Cowboys beat the Washington Redskins, 14-10, Sunday night at FedEx Field:
1. Romo's return is triumphant
He did not walk on water, he did not throw for 500 yards, but Tony Romo (19-for-27, 198 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions) revitalized the Cowboys.
In a must-have game for Dallas (6-4), Romo was big in the clutch. He threw the game-winning touchdown pass, a 25-yarder to tight end Martellus Bennett in the fourth quarter. And Romo did not look hampered by the broken pinkie that had kept him sidelined for the previous three games.
Just having Romo in the huddle gave the Cowboys' offense its swagger back. Top quarterbacks have more than strong arms and great vision. They have an air of confidence, a presence that lifts their teammates. Romo carries that stature with the Cowboys, and now that he's back, so is the Cowboys' confidence.
This was the biggest win of the season for the Cowboys, and with upcoming home games against the 49ers and the Seahawks, they have a chance to get on a roll.
2. Barber is a cut above
Romo had a nice game, but the offensive star was running back Marion Barber (24 carries, 114 yards). On the Cowboys' final drive, Barber touched the ball 11 consecutive times and helped Dallas kill the final six minutes, 40 seconds of the game.
There have been games when offensive coordinator Jason Garrett has fallen in love with the pass, depriving Barber of a chance to take over. Not Sunday night. In a physical game, Garrett smartly fed Barber the ball, and Barber responded.
Barber's brutish running set the right tone for the Cowboys, who established early that they could pound inside, and hold their own in a hostile environment. With backup Felix Jones (hamstring) still out of the lineup, Barber has proven he can carry the load as an every-down back.
3. Newman is the man
The return of cornerback Terence Newman was almost as important as Romo's. Newman blanketed Redskins receivers all night. And on the Redskins' final possession of the game, Newman killed the drive by breaking up a fourth-down pass intended for Santana Moss.
Newman is the glue to Dallas' secondary, and he stuck to the Redskins' receivers all night.
4. Portis is built tough
The tough guy reputation of Redskins running back Clinton Portis is well-deserved. Portis gained 68 yards on 15 carries, crossing the 1,000-yard mark for the sixth time in his seven-year career. Knowing that his team needed him, Portis put his body on the line and ran with the same determination that has personified his season.
Portis and Adrian Peterson of the Vikings have been the two best backs in the NFL this season. But the Redskins (6-4) will need Portis to be healthy down the stretch, or it will hurt their playoff chances.
5. DeAngelo makes a difference
Cornerback DeAngelo Hall had a nice debut as a Redskin, making a second-quarter interception to kill a Dallas drive. Hall has been a controversial player with both the Falcons and the Raiders, but his skills and ability as a cover cornerback could help the Redskins down the stretch.
The Redskins' defense has dealt with injuries all season, and having another healthy and talented body in the secondary will not hurt. Once Hall becomes more familiar with the Redskins' schemes and terminology, expect him to play a larger role.
LANDOVER, Md. -- Five things we learned watching the Dallas Cowboys beat the Washington Redskins, 14-10, Sunday night at FedEx Field:
1. Romo's return is triumphant
He did not walk on water, he did not throw for 500 yards, but Tony Romo (19-for-27, 198 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions) revitalized the Cowboys.
In a must-have game for Dallas (6-4), Romo was big in the clutch. He threw the game-winning touchdown pass, a 25-yarder to tight end Martellus Bennett in the fourth quarter. And Romo did not look hampered by the broken pinkie that had kept him sidelined for the previous three games.
Just having Romo in the huddle gave the Cowboys' offense its swagger back. Top quarterbacks have more than strong arms and great vision. They have an air of confidence, a presence that lifts their teammates. Romo carries that stature with the Cowboys, and now that he's back, so is the Cowboys' confidence.
This was the biggest win of the season for the Cowboys, and with upcoming home games against the 49ers and the Seahawks, they have a chance to get on a roll.
2. Barber is a cut above
Romo had a nice game, but the offensive star was running back Marion Barber (24 carries, 114 yards). On the Cowboys' final drive, Barber touched the ball 11 consecutive times and helped Dallas kill the final six minutes, 40 seconds of the game.
There have been games when offensive coordinator Jason Garrett has fallen in love with the pass, depriving Barber of a chance to take over. Not Sunday night. In a physical game, Garrett smartly fed Barber the ball, and Barber responded.
Barber's brutish running set the right tone for the Cowboys, who established early that they could pound inside, and hold their own in a hostile environment. With backup Felix Jones (hamstring) still out of the lineup, Barber has proven he can carry the load as an every-down back.
3. Newman is the man
The return of cornerback Terence Newman was almost as important as Romo's. Newman blanketed Redskins receivers all night. And on the Redskins' final possession of the game, Newman killed the drive by breaking up a fourth-down pass intended for Santana Moss.
Newman is the glue to Dallas' secondary, and he stuck to the Redskins' receivers all night.
4. Portis is built tough
The tough guy reputation of Redskins running back Clinton Portis is well-deserved. Portis gained 68 yards on 15 carries, crossing the 1,000-yard mark for the sixth time in his seven-year career. Knowing that his team needed him, Portis put his body on the line and ran with the same determination that has personified his season.
Portis and Adrian Peterson of the Vikings have been the two best backs in the NFL this season. But the Redskins (6-4) will need Portis to be healthy down the stretch, or it will hurt their playoff chances.
5. DeAngelo makes a difference
Cornerback DeAngelo Hall had a nice debut as a Redskin, making a second-quarter interception to kill a Dallas drive. Hall has been a controversial player with both the Falcons and the Raiders, but his skills and ability as a cover cornerback could help the Redskins down the stretch.
The Redskins' defense has dealt with injuries all season, and having another healthy and talented body in the secondary will not hurt. Once Hall becomes more familiar with the Redskins' schemes and terminology, expect him to play a larger role.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:31 PM
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