Cowboys vs. Eagles: Rob Ryan Takes Blame for Loss, Saves Tony Romo from Critics

Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan wasn't able to back up his guarantee from training camp—a maneuver his brother has trademarked—as the Philadelphia Eagles moved the ball at will on Sunday Night Football.

After the game, Ryan took full blame for the loss (via Pro Football Talk):

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Remember when Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan promised to 'beat the ass' of the Eagles, whom he derided as the 'all-hype team?' Yeah, it didn’t quite work out that way.

"It’s not the first time I’ve said something and gotten my butt kicked,' Ryan told the Dallas Morning News after the game. 'I got out-coached, out-everything. It’s all on me."

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By keeping the focus on himself, Ryan is actually saving quarterback Tony Romo from the massive criticism that usually comes with a Dallas loss.

Romo had his worst game of the season and wasn't able to keep up with Michael Vick and the high-flying Eagles. He completed barely over half of his passes and had a subpar 5.8 yards-per-attempt average. He also threw his seventh interception in as many games.

While the Eastern Illinois product usually takes more heat than he deserves when Dallas struggles, it's interesting that Ryan has been the focus now that Romo might actually deserve it.

And don't think the veteran coach doesn't understand that.

Both Ryan brothers have made a habit of making bold statements, which are normally meant to take the focus off their players. However, this usually ends up putting more pressure on themselves.

That was the case on Sunday night as Philadelphia finally seems to be figuring it out. That's bad news for the NFC's other teams.

To Ryan's credit, the Cowboys defense has shaved more than four points per game off last year's average and have become one of the league's top rush defenses. However, sometimes you wish coaches wouldn't insist on being in the spotlight so much.

Except in this case, of course, because Ryan is saving his team's star quarterback from another week of unfounded rants about his ineptitude.