Cowboy Nation: Which Team Will Show Up?

Last Sunday night showed two sides of a Cowboy team.  A great defensive effort against one of the best running backs in the NFC.  In the first half.  Brandon Jacobs, for all the running his mouth did during the week, could only produce 8 yards the entire first half.  The Giants as a team only had 12 yards rushing.  Then the second half began.  I know the Cowboy Nation expected more of the same.  

And it started well.  If Tony Romo didn't hand the Giants 21 points, and Felix Jones didn't give then 3 more, we may have won the game.  That's 24 point.  The Boys lost by 2.    This bring said, the offense is not problem, minus the turnovers.  The O produced 31 points.  They gave up 24, which means that the NY offense was only able to produce 9 points by themselves.  If Tony can keep from handing the ball over, we win.  

Tony took responsibility for the loss.  He vowed to get better.  He is taking the leadership role that many, including myself, have attacked on his character.  My assessment of this situation is that Tony is still having abnormal responses with big games.  With a normal game, Tony can play with ease, simply having fun.  There is little pressure, and Tony can excel with ease.  The results are usually very impressive.  However when there is something to gain, when a game comes along and is considered "Important" there is an added pressure.  Why?  No one can say for sure.  Romo haters will have you believe it's because Tony Romo is a fluke.  They will have you believe that Tony is overrated.  What do I believe?  It is a simple case of confidence.  In big games, Tony expects so much out of himself, that he overcompensates.  He frenzies himself, effecting his judgement, making him see things that are not there.  It's my belief that during these games, his mind is hazed.  He is experiencing a profound fear of letting his team down, letting his fans down.  

And this is why I believe that Tony will bounce back.  

But for now, his is stuck in this ether type of conundrum.  The game that lives with him the most, is that Seattle game.  That fumbled field goal hold.  Every true Cowboy fan remembers that fumble.  It was a game that should have been won but wasn't, and the beginning of Tony's mental block.  It would continue against the Giants a year later, during a playoff game.  But then something interesting happened, a Monday night against Buffalo.  Tony produced 5 turnovers, and was still able to win the game.  This helped get Tony passed the two late season games that haunted his career.  It seemed that all would be OK, and then another "Big" game in Philly on the last game of the last year, and the monkey is back.    And now further proof against New York.

Truth is, I don't fully blame Tony and Felix for the loss.  The Dallas D had the chance to slam the door on Elli.  But instead they decided to let a couple of Jr. receivers look like Jerry Rice and Mark Clayton.  After a stellar first half, adjustments have been made, and the Dallas D could not compensate.  Dallas is the only team in the NFL to not have a turnover, and not have a sack.  This is unacceptable for an NFL team.  There is no excuse, no matter how many Head Coach Wade Phillips tries to come up with.  My fear is that  Game 3, a game that should be won, will prove that our defense is in major trouble.  

Which team will show up?  Only Monday Night can tell.