Hall of Fame Game 2010: Cowboys Defense Shows Depth In 16-7 Win vs. Bengals

The Dallas Cowboys got to see their team against competition for the first time last night against the Bengals, and while the score might indicate Dallas's engine isn't finely tuned just yet, they're well on the way. 

The Cowboys defense played well all night as they held the Bengals to 179 total yards. No matter what unit was in the game, Dallas kept constant pressure on the Bengals quarterbacks. Bengals starter Carson Palmer was just 2-5 in limited action, but was sacked once and hit twice. 

The Cowboys defense also did a good job in pass coverage as the Bengals threw the ball 36 times but completed just 16. Matt Jones (who?) was the Bengals leading receiver with three catches for 42 yards. Terrell Owens had two catches for 18 yards and Chad Ochocinco was shut out. 

The defense recorded four sacks including one by Stephen Bowen, who was filling in for Marcus Spears. 

Former Texas Tech linebackers Brandon Williams and Brandon Sharpe recorded interceptions for the Cowboys. Williams' interception came in the third quarter against Jordan Palmer—Carson's younger brother—when the linebacker dropped into coverage after showing blitz before the snap.

Sharpe, who is having a great camp and is challenging Williams for playing time, got his INT midway through the fourth quarter. Sharpe returned his interception six yards for the only touchdown for the Cowboys. 

The Cowboys starting offense drove 63 yards in 14 plays to begin the game, but were stalled inside the five, something that hurt the team last season. Tony Romo went 5-10 in the drive and was given the rest of the night off. 

While the running game wasn't fantastic, Tashard Choice keeps showing why the Cowboys need to keep him around, as he had seven carries for 41 yards. Kevin Ogletree, who hasn't been in the No. 3 receiver discussions due to dropped passes in camp, had two catches for 25 yards

The David Buehler experiment had a good start last night as he hit three of four field goals. Buehler hit from 20, 34 and 23 yards out but missed a 49-yard attempt, which is an easy reach for him.

Buehler had this to say on the miss, "I was just a little too quick getting there, and I'm a little upset with myself. I have to make those. I have to make any one that they put me out to kick. I expect to make them all."

The Cowboys held out draft picks Dez Bryant (ankle), Sean Lee (quad) and Akwasi Owusu-Ansah (shoulder) although they all traveled to Canton for the game. Bryant is still wearing a boot on his ankle, while Lee and Owusu-Ansah are practicing but were held out as a precaution.  

The Cowboys worst news of the night came when John Phillips, who was having an excellent game (four catches for 60 yards), was injured. Early indications are that Phillips most likely has a torn ACL, which will put him out for the season.

Scott Sicko (five catches for 44 yards) replaced him and finished the game, as Martellus Bennett did not play, having just returned from an ankle injury.