Cowboys-Bengals: Dallas Wins Hall of Fame Game 16-7

The first team offense looked good for the one series they played.

All eyes were on left tackle Doug Free, and he put on a show. Not only was Free good in pass protection, he also made some great blocks in the running game.

You could tell from the start that Jason Garrett wanted to get everyone involved. Miles Austin, Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton, and John Phillips all made a reception on the first drive.

Marion Barber looked quick with the ball but proved that he could still pick up the tough yards when he ran up the middle on 3rd-and-one. We all know what Felix Jones can do; however, he fumbled the ball, and the coaches will remind him of that during the week.

The biggest problem in the first drive was the play-calling inside the 10-yard line. When it is 1st-and-goal on the two-yard line, it is fine to try to catch the defense off guard and throw a fade to Roy Williams. The problem is when it is second and third down at the two and Tony Romo lines up in the shotgun and throws it two more times.

When the Cowboys get inside the five, they should not be cute. They need to line up and run right behind Leonard Davis and get in the end zone. The Cowboys ended up getting a field goal on that drive, and that is fine; however, if they want to win it all, they need to pound the rock inside the five.

I was very excited to watch the Cowboys defense go to work, but after watching six plays they were off the field. However, some players who I wanted to watch played great, starting with Stephen Bowen. When you look at big No. 72, he has a great inside move, and tonight he was always in the backfield, recording a sack and forcing an intentional grounding.

The Cowboys defense was outstanding tonight, not letting the Bengals get past the 50-yard line till 3:29 in the third. The big number for this defense is four, and that is the number of turnovers they forced. When talking to Jason Williams, he said that a key to this team was to force turnovers, and tonight they did that. Not only did they force turnovers, they took one back for a touchdown.

I know it is only the first preseason game, but when your defense has four sacks and four turnovers, you have to smile. The worst part about the defense is that the punt team let them down and they did not get the shutout.

Studs

Young Linebackers (Jason Williams, Victor Butler, Brandon Williams, Brandon Sharpe)

Together they had nine tackles, two interceptions, two sacks, and a touchdown—not too bad.

Stephen Bowen

In the backfield all night and recorded a sack. Bowen's playing time should increase with his ability to get to the quarterback.

John Phillips

With four receptions for 60 yards, Phillips proved he can get open and make tough catches. He looked strong blocking. He hurt his ankle but could be working his way up the depth chart if Martellus Bennett does not step up.

Danny McCray

Not only did McCray have an interception, he also did a great job as a gunner on special teams.

Doug Free

With all eyes on him, he proved that he can play.

Duds

Alex Barron

He will be a nice backup, but he has no chance of starting over Doug Free.

David Buehler

After Buehler missed a 49-yard field goal, you could see Jerry Jones and Wade Phillips were not too happy. Buehler needs to prove to the Cowboys that he can make the long kicks when it counts. Don't forget the reason Nick Folk won the job—by nailing a 53-yard kick twice to win the game.

Punt Coverage Team

When there are under two minutes left in the game and your defense has a shutout going, you can't allow a 60-yard return that leads to a touchdown.