Cowboys vs. Jets: 4 Things from Sunday's Game That Should Have the Jets Worried

The New York Jets proved on Sunday night that they still know how to win. They also proved once again that they really don't know how to do it without making an adventure of things first.

Make no mistake about it—the Jets' 27-24 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night was an adventure. It seemed early on that the Jets were not going to be able to get anything done offensively, and then it became a question of how long their luck would hold.

Just long enough, as it turned out. However, while I have no doubt that the Jets will take the W, I do think they walked away from Sunday night's game with a couple of things to worry about.

Four things, in fact. They are detailed below.

Where's the Running Game?

We can talk all we want about Mark Sanchez, but the fact of the matter is that the Jets are, at heart, a running team.

They didn't do much running against the Cowboys, though. The Jets ran the ball just 16 times, racking up a grand total of 45 yards. That's an average of 2.8 yards per carry.

True, the fact that the Jets were playing from behind most of the game had a lot to do with the abandonment of the running game, but you still have to worry about that average. If Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson can't eat up yards, the Jets are going to be forced to put more and more playmaking pressure on Sanchez.

And that brings me to the next point.

Sanchez Still Shaky

I have to admit, Sanchez had an okay game against the Cowboys. Throwing for 335 yards and two touchdowns is something to write home about.

But 26-of-44 passing? That's not quite as impressive. Keep in mind that this was against a Dallas secondary that was down to two healthy cornerbacks by the end of the game. It was a favorable matchup for Sanchez, and he made the most of it.

A better quarterback would have made more of it, though. I don't think Sanchez has taken that next step quite yet, good game or no good game.

Antonio Cromartie Can Be Beat

As Tony Romo can vouch, you don't want to throw the ball anywhere near Darrelle Revis.

But near Antonio Cromartie? That's not such a bad idea. He got beat on two touchdown passes on Sunday night, one by Dez Bryant and the other by Miles Austin.

While watching Cromartie get beat, it was hard not to think about the Jets' failed pursuit of Nnamdi Asomugha. Cromartie was Plan B all along, and he definitely looked the part on Sunday night.

After what happened, I fear the word may be out. Cromartie had better shape up.

The Jets Got Lucky

I hinted at it above, but I think the Jets' luck on Sunday night is worth a little bit more discussion.

You can say that the Jets beat the Cowboys, but I for one think the Cowboys beat themselves. They left seven points on the field when Romo fumbled inside the Jets' 5-yard line, and they forfeited a chance to win the game when Romo threw the ball to Revis with less than a minute to go.

Then there was the blocked punt that allowed the Jets to tie the game. The Jets do deserve credit for getting the job done, but Joe McKnight was hardly touched on the play. It was bad blocking more than it was shrewd play-calling.

If you take away Romo's fumble, Romo's pick or the blocked punt, the Cowboys win this game. As it is, the Jets got all three and won by just three points.

In other words, the Jets did not really win this game. It's more apt to say the Cowboys lost it.