Cowboys vs. Redskins: 8 Things We Learned from Dallas' 18-16 Win

When thinking of a great Monday Night Football game you usually don’t think about a contest filled with field goals.

Like six of them.

Cowboys rookie field goal kicker Dan Bailey scored 18 points tonight. Yes, Bailey was responsible for each and every Dallas point tonight, sending the ‘Boys to an NFC East leading record of 2-1.

Dallas quarterback Tony Romo played with a broken rib and punctured lung; further solidifying his legend in Cowboys history. He played hurt against the hated Redskins and played well enough for the team to win.

Romo threw the ball 36 times for 255 yards and one interception. But what’s most impressive is that the Cowboys were without Miles Austin and though Dez Bryant played he was injured. So Dallas went with the recently resigned Laurent Robinson and Kevin Ogletree to fill the voids; to say that there was complete miscommunication is an understatement.

On one third down near the goaline Kevin Ogletree ran the wrong route and Tony missed him on an incompletion. Miscommunication was the word of the night for Dallas.

New center Phil Costa snapped the ball more than a few times before Tony was ready for it, which led to errant throws and potential for turnovers.

In the end, Dallas did what they needed to do and got the W.

Here are eight things we learned about the ‘Boys tonight against the Redskins.

Cowboys Defense Grew Up on Monday Night

The Cowboys defense held Washington to 298 yards and only 65 yards rushing. They caused a key turnover to end the game against the ‘Skins and put pressure on Washington when needed.

Linebacker Sean Lee picked off Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman and added four tackles. DeMarcus Ware seemed quiet for the majority of the evening until he was needed in the fourth quarter. He had a huge sack on Grossman that almost caused a fumble, but Rex was ruled down.

The Cowboys defense grew up in a hurry on Monday night and held Dallas down against a blood rival in the rough and tough NFC East.

Tony Romo Is the Unquestioned Cowboys Leader

Tony Romo Is The Unquestioned Cowboys Leader—See what Romo did when receivers ran the wrong routes and centers snapped the ball to early? He yelled and screamed.

Remember last season when Jon Kitna would yell and scream when things weren’t going right and Cowboys fans would say, “That’s what we want from Tony Romo!”

Well, that’s what you got.

Center Phil Costa and Tony Romo have communication problems and if they don’t fix it Dallas is in a little trouble. But for tonight, Romo showed he’s able to be a vocal leader for Dallas when needed. He positioned players when they were out of position and taught players when there was a chance for education.

I think the kid is all right and for Dallas he’s the right guy leading this team.

Sean Lee Is a Star

Sean Lee seems to have a knack for the ball. He gained some notoriety after picking off Colts quarterback Peyton Manning twice in a game last season and this year he already has two interceptions.

He’s like the Ed Reed of linebackers.

OK, that may be a stretch, but you see where I’m going. Lee looks to become a leader for Dallas on defense and with the emergence of Anthony Spencer, the Cowboys may have one of the best linebacking corps in the NFL.

Anthony Spencer Can Rush the Passer

The knock on Anthony Spencer is that he’s not what the Cowboys thought he would be. Not necessarily as dominate as DeMarcus Ware, but a guy who would play Robin to Ware’s Batman.

But tonight Spencer had four tackles and one game-ending sack. Spencer rushed Grossman off the edge, hit him, and caused a fumble to end the game.

Keep playing like that Spence and Cowboys fans won’t demand your trade in the offseason.

Cowboys May Have Found a Kicker

I’m of the belief that Dallas gave up on Nick Folk to soon, so I don’t want to count my eggs before they hatch.

Dan Bailey led the Cowboys to 18 points and his kicks looked crisp, sharp, and accurate. He made David Buehler look expendable and the pressure didn’t seem to get to him.

But Bailey needs to show that he can do this more than once before Dallas decides that he’s their kicker for the future.

Felix Jones Played Hurt, Too

Jones had 115 yards on 14 carries with a separated shoulder. No shades of Emmitt Smith against the Giants but he still played with pain like my man Romo.

Jones had to long runs with the longest being a 40-yard scamper.

He ran to the side and up the middle and never shied away from contact. He buried his shoulder into the teeth of the opponents and got back up and kept running.

Like Romo, Jones did what needed to be done to help his team and lead them to victory.

Cowboys Offensive Line Is Still Growing

Phil Costa…It wasn’t totally your fault...

His communication with Romo will get better as they continue to gel together but Monday night was rough. You often saw Romo yelling at Costa due to the miscommunication and mishandled snaps and it almost cost Dallas the game.

But the offensive line looked leaky at times. Doug Free was abused on the left side more than a few times and on a key third down near the goaline early in the game the Cowboys offensive line was pushed back and the run was stuffed.

It’s a work in progress. But with a young offensive line, growing pains are expected.

With the nasty Lions looming, hopefully there is a lot of growth and improvement during the week.

Jason Garrett’s Playcalling Remains Suspect

Garrett tightened up and decided to take a very conservative approach toward the end of the game.

I know that a lot of fans were upset over Garrett’s decision to call a run on third-and-long but the Cowboys had receiver issues. The trust isn't where it needs to be in order to call a pass play in that situation.

Dallas had a chance to go for the Redskins throat after Dez’s 30-yard catch, but Garrett opted to take the the field goal.

Bailey’s leg was hot but he’s still a rookie, and there is no consistency factor here. Garrett should have continued to be aggressive because the Redskins only needed a field goal to win.

The Cowboys defense played well but they can't continue to act timid at the end of a ballgame.