Dolphins vs. Cowboys: 8 Things We Learned from Dallas' 20-19 Win

For each and every Dallas Cowboys fan in America this game against the Dolphins should serve as your notice that your team is one of the toughest in the entire league. For the second week in a row Dallas had to dig to the depths of its soul for a hard-earned but well-deserved victory.

Tony Romo was average according to the stats, as he had two early interceptions. DeMarco Murray played well, pounding the rock for 87 yards on 22 carries. Murray's fourth-quarter performance is what helped to seal the victory for Dallas, but I'll get into that later.

As a whole Dallas continues to show moxie. Before the game team owner Jerry Jones said the Cowboys needed to play this game as if it were their Super Bowl. That wasn’t quite the case, but Dallas was still able to pull off the victory.

The secondary was bad, the Cowboys turned the ball over, there were too many penalties and Dallas was bad on third down—but the Cowboys still won.

Here are eight things we learned from the Cowboys' one-point victory over the Miami Dolphins.

Tony Romo Is Maturing

What I always find interesting about Tony Romo is that he's only been an NFL starter for five full seasons; he only played six games last season and 10 in 2006.

At any rate Romo seems to be maturing right before our eyes. After two awful games early in the season—one against the Jets and the other against the Lions—Romo has played exceptionally well. Before today's game against Miami, Romo threw eight touchdowns with no interceptions over the past month.

He had two picks today against the Dolphins with one coming on an under throw to tight end Martellus Bennett and the other was a pretty good pick after Romo tried to find Laurent Robinson.

The good thing is the picks happened early and not late, but Romo kept chopping wood and continues to play hard for his squad. Late in the third quarter and early in the fourth Romo led a nine-play 77-yard drive that resulted in a touchdown to his favorite red zone target, Laurent Robinson.

When it counted Romo came through, and while he didn't throw a touchdown on the last play, his play on the game's final drive is what led Dallas to victory.

By the way—Romo still has yet to lose a game on Thanksgiving; he's now 5-0.

DeMarco Murray Continues To Impress

Murray is one heck of a football player. He had 87 yards on the day, but 27 of those yards came on the game-winning drive. Murray up the middle for six, to the right for four and Murray around the corner for five is what the announcers kept saying as time ticked off the clock.

Like Romo, Murray kept chopping wood even though he never got into a good rhythm. His legs will be needed in December since Dallas has two games against the Giants and another against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Murray continues to show that he's just the running back Dallas needs when it counts the most.

Laurent Robinson Has Incredible Chemistry With Tony Romo

I think one of the most important stat-lines of the night was the number of times Romo targeted Robinson, which was 12. He ended up with seven catches for 79 yards and two touchdowns.

While Dez Bryant was supposed to supplement Miles Austin as Romo's primary target, Robinson has taken over that duty while Austin recovers. Counting Miami, Robinson has seven touchdowns over the past five games. He's also tied for the league lead in fourth-quarter touchdowns with four.

When Romo has to improvise or scramble he seems to find Robinson at the most opportune time. It's working for them both, and it's helping Dallas win football games.

Cowboys Secondary Needs Work

Well, we all knew that.

What's scary about their secondary is that the pass-rush has served as a masking agent for their shortcomings most of the season, and they were exposed a little against Miami. Not to mention Brandon Marshall is 6'4" and 230 pounds, while Terence Newman is only 5'10."

It didn't serve Newman well when Dallas played the Lions, and the same happened against Miami.

I won't go so far as to say that they stink because Newman is playing well; he has four interceptions, and Orlando Scandrick has been solid. But the Cowboys still need help, and with two games remaining against Eli Manning, defensive coordinator Rob Ryan will need to find creative ways to help out his defensive backfield.

Cowboys Held Miami To Zero Red Zone Touchdowns

The Dolphins scored 19 points, but absolutely no touchdowns came in the red zone. The Dolphins had to kick field goals when they got close since the Cowboys' defense would bend but not break.

The defense continues to grow, change and acclimate themselves to Rob Ryan, but what's important is they did not allow the Dolphins to score in the red zone when it counted.

Dan Bailey Is Again Clutch

Two field goals on the day with one coming as time expired.

I know that I continue to say this every week, but Bailey is so good it's scary. He has made 26 consecutive field goals and continues to show and prove.

Bailey and Robinson are two guys who have come up in the clutch for Dallas and will be needed as Dallas continues to push toward the playoffs.

Cowboys Still Gelling, Maturing

Jason Garrett is still learning how to be a head coach, and Dallas is still growing as a team. The good thing is that while this process is going on, they are winning and not losing.

The Cowboys had 11 penalties for 69 yards, two turnovers, got out-gained by the Dolphins and played pretty badly on third down. That's a recipe to lose, but Dallas was still able to eek out a key victory.

They have taken on the personality of their head coach and win games by the skin of their teeth or by simply continuing to fight. This type of win wouldn't have come with Wade Phillips, but that's why there is a new head coach in town.

Cowboys Move to 7-4, Face Cardinals Next

It was ugly and it was only by one point, but the most important thing is that the Cowboys were able to win. Dallas moves to 7-4, and they take sole possession of first place in the NFC East for the time being.

Moxie is the word of the evening for the Cowboys, and they are full of it right now.

Dallas faces the 3-7 Arizona Cardinals next Sunday and will look to solidify their possible playoff position with another win.

Cowboys News and Notes:

Miami Dolphins vs. Dallas Cowboys: 6 Predictions for Thanksgiving Day Game

Dallas Cowboys Report Card Week 11: Grading Each Unit