Cowboys regroup after latest disappointment

By GEORGE RIBA / WFAA-TV

The Dallas Cowboys fourth quarter meltdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday is the team's latest disappointment.

"We had those guys where we wanted them, to be totally honest with you," said defensive end Marcus Spears, "and for the game to end that way, you feel like, was there anything else we could have done?"

If being able to beat one of the better teams in the league defines a team, then the Cowboys have yet to be defined.

"We went into Pittsburgh and played the number one statistically ranked defense and I think our offense faired pretty well for a while, and our defense, we fought well," said cornerback Terence Newman. "I think the last three or four weeks, our defense has been the real solid part of this football team."

But it was other phases of the game that let the team down.

Take special teams, which had a punt that was inadvertently touched, leading to a Steelers recovery to a 23-yard punt that went out of bounds at the Steelers 33.

And on offense, Tony Romo threw an interception that provided Pittsburgh with the game winning touchdown.

Finishing games in all three phases of the game has become critical.

"I think that's the key thing with us," said coach Wade Phillips. "This season you're gonna have to finish this season to get where you want to be. So, it's right there for you. You say that's what you want to do, preach that's what you're gonna try to get done, here's the opportunity."

Said Spears, "If there has ever been a time where you've been in a must win situation, it's now."

So now the Cowboys have three games left: the New York Giants, Baltimore and Philadelphia.

Three games they have to finish, otherwise those teams will finish them and any chances of making the playoffs.