5 Things Learned During the Dallas Cowboys Season Opener

The Cowboys just finished their season opener at the Meadowlands with a 27-24 loss against the New York Jets. Tonight was the first night in Dallas Cowboys history that they lost a game after having a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter. While the loss was certainly disappointing, a lot of things were learned for the rest of the season.

Defensive Backs Are the Weakness of the Team

Mark Sanchez threw for 335 yards and really ruled Dallas' secondary, all game. At this stage in Mark Sanchez's career, he is a capable quarterback but has shown nothing close to a Pro Bowl level.

Dallas was without starting corner Terrence Newman, and with other corner Mike Jenkins battling nagging injuries all game, Dallas' depth was shot. 

Due to this, Alan Ball and Bryan McCann played extensively. McCann gave up a touchdown to Plaxico Burress and Alan Ball played an all around horrible game. Ball was beaten on numerous pass plays and the only reason I wouldn't say it was an all around failure is because he had one pass deflection.

The safeties weren't impressive either. Gerald Sensabaugh struggled in pass coverage and I didn't hear Abram Elam's name called once during the game.

Young Offensive Line Did a Stout Job

Before this game, I was thoroughly worried about Dallas' offensive line. With three new starters who didn't have a down of experience in the NFL, I was convinced this would be the weakest link for the Cowboys.

However, the O-Line played surprisingly well. They were awesome in pass protection, and Tony Romo had a lot of time to throw in the pocket. The Cowboys only had 64 yards rushing on 26 carries, which comes out to 2.5 YPC, but no one is going to be successful running against the Jets.

The Cowboys Have One of the Best Passing Games in the NFL

In the first three quarters of the game, the Cowboys were having a lot of success passing. With targets like Jason Witten, Miles Austin and Dez Bryant, they were able to get open on the outside.

Dez Bryant brought his game to another level in the first quarter, with three receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown. However, Bryant was shutout the rest of the game due to a combination of the Jets making the adjustment of putting Darrelle Revis on him and injury issues. On the intercepted pass intended for Bryant, he didn't put 100 percent into his cut and Revis jumped in front of it.

Miles Austin had a bunch of great plays, including wresting the ball away from Antonio Cromartie on a 36-yard touchdown pass. 

For Jason Witten it was business as usual. Witten was fantastic blocking and catching as a tight end. Witten finished with the most receiving yards for Dallas with 110 yards coming on five receptions. Witten also showed an improved burst down the sidelines on a 64-yard catch.

Tony Romo Will Never Be an Elite Quarterback

While this has been in question for me for a while, Romo confirmed it to me tonight. The game progressed in classic Tony Romo fashion.

He played tremendous in the early part of the game. Through the third quarter, Romo was 17-22 with two touchdowns. However, in the fourth quarter, Romo went 6-14 with two costly turnovers.

Romo will never come through in the clutch, and showed off some of his leadership (or lack of) skills on the interception intended for Dez Bryant. Despite throwing into double coverage and at All-World corner Darrelle Revis, Romo blamed Bryant for not running hard enough to get the ball.

Tony Romo will always be a good-but-not-great quarterback.

Team Is Still Better Than Expected

Going into the season, I didn't expect much from the 2011 Cowboys. Dallas is in a state of rebuilding and didn't have much of a shot of making it to the playoffs. 

After watching the game though, I am more confident in them than I was before the game. They were stout on defense for most of the game and the offense had a lot of big plays.

Now, if only there were only three quarters in a game.