How the Dallas Cowboys Can Still Save Their Season

Sitting in the middle of the pack with a 3-3 record is not how most fans would've envisioned the Cowboys' season through six games.

If, somehow, we could only bottle the euphoria of the opening-night victory and carry it with us week-to-week to help cushion the blows of some bad losses. But the NFL, in essence, brings you back to reality and then beats you up with "experience."

Penalties, mistakes, mishaps, poor clock-management, mental lapses, poor execution and, oh yeah, injuries have all left their unwanted hand-prints on this brief season. The Cowboys have had their share of 13-penalty games, and also lost key starters for the season or multiple games.

But all hope is not lost, because there are 10 games left, and Jerry Jones still thinks his team are contenders, right?

Wrong.  In fact, the Cowboys need to take drastic measures now if they want to see the postseason, which is the only one that matters. Remember, Jerry thinks the Cowboys are built to win now, and Jason Garrett wants to build a team for sustained success. 

What Jerry fails to realize is that since Jason Garrett took over this team midway through the 2010 season, the Cowboys have a 16-14 record. That statistic has been the foundation of what this franchise has become for a long time, and that's the epitome of mediocrity. 

What he fails to realize even more is that two offseasons aren't enough to fix the laundry list of needs this team has from failed drafts, bad personnel moves, lack of personnel moves and a flawed business model.

So what are the Cowboys to do right now about the direction of this team? I don't see one or two clear-cut answers that can fix the pattern this team is currently on, but I think there are some areas that, if improved upon, can help go a long way in saving the Cowboys' season. Let's explore.

Creating More Turnovers

With the offense still performing at an inconsistent level, Rob Ryan's unit will be counted on more than ever.

Morris Claiborne just had the first interception of his career and the first of the season for the secondary. Kudos to Claiborne, but are you kidding me? That makes him tied with Sean Lee for interceptions with one. At least we know Lee won't stand in anyone's way to hold the lead!

Against Carolina, the pass rush seemed to be improved, but the front seven are not helping the back-end of the defense consistently. It's still troubling that Ryan has to scheme-pressure more often than not.

Creating turnovers is a mindset, and this defense has to live and breathe that mentality. It will go a long way in helping this offense, and boosting the number in the win column.

New Wrinkles In The Offense

Against Carolina, the Cowboys played the latter part of the game very conservatively, and it almost cost them.

But it's no secret that, with the exception of the opening game, this offense is stuck somewhere in neutral. You can't blame all the issues on the offensive line or the lack of a consistent running game when Dez Bryant is dropping passes.

The Cowboys need to start doing something I've felt very strongly about for a number of years: incorporate the no-huddle into this offense.

This will allow Tony Romo to play at a faster tempo, move around and get outside the pocket more and play to his strengths. It will also allow the Cowboys to expand the use of their personnel, which I think will also help them save their season.

Where is James Hanna? Lance Dunbar? Cole Beasley and Dwayne Harris? Sometimes the predictability of Jason Garrett's offense is what becomes his biggest Kryptonite.

Maximizing Romo and the personnel will lead to more points, sustained drives, and ultimately, the time-of-possession battle.

If the Cowboys incorporate the no-huddle right now with some success, it could be the key to playing in January. 

More Discipline and Focus

I believe that this falls on Jason Garrett, simply because he is so detail-oriented, but his team doesn't mirror those characteristics. 

Forget about clock management or the principles of conservation for a second. The amount of penalties and mental mistakes from this team is staggering through six games, and it's amazing that their record is only 3-3.

Continuing this trend means that the season will be teetering on the brink of disaster, which could cost Garrett his job.

Challenge The Players

Jason Garrett needs to challenge his players, both mentally and physically, to create a heightened sense of urgency for this team. 

I don't see enough nastiness, fire and intensity. The stakes need to be raised for the Cowboys to save their season and live up to the potential in which their GM seems to confidently believe.

The responsibility falls on the entire coaching staff, the appointed leaders of this team, as well as the players themselves. At 3-3 with a tough road ahead, the Cowboys could either prove the naysayers right or prove to the fans that they are tired of the failures of the past few seasons.

They can take a major step by proving it with their play against the New York Giants on Sunday.

Put a Gag Order on Jerry Jones

You probably have a better chance of seeing a Kim Kardashian-Kris Humphries reconciliation, but this team continues to be distracted. It's not because of late-night partying, arrests or bounty scandals, it's none other than the circus created by their owner.

Whether it be from his radio show, pizza commercial, unveiling of a lingerie shop or his outspoken comments, Jerry Jones just can't help himself.

Unfortunately, this is the biggest systemic problem this team faces. After 16 years of mediocrity, it's pretty unfortunate, but hopefully avoidable enough to save this season.