Cowboys vs. Buccaneers: 7 Things We Learned from Dallas' 31-15 Win

How efficient did the Dallas Cowboys look on Saturday night? Just to give you an idea, the Cowboys converted 7-of-13 third downs and had 399 total yards. Dallas had only two penalties the entire night for just 15 yards, and running back Felix Jones had consecutive 100-yard rushing games for the first time in his entire career. Does that give you an idea?

The Cowboys beat up on the lowly Tampa Bay Bucs 31-15 to move to 8-6 and one game closer to making the playoffs. Dallas quarterback Tony Romo was 23-of-30 for 249 yards and four touchdowns, including one rushing. Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett called a pretty balanced attack with just 30 passes and 37 runs.

This game was the epitome of an efficient Cowboys attack. It showed just how potent the Dallas Cowboys offense can be and what Dallas is capable of doing on the field. But at the end of the day, Dallas beat the Bucs, a team with a 4-10 record and a head coach possibly on his way out.

Yet with so many great things going right for Dallas, like only two penalties, it gives fans hope that maybe this team can make a little noise going forward.

Here are seven things we learned from the Cowboys on Saturday night in Tampa.

Tony Romo Is Hot in December

Who says that Tony Romo falls off in December? The Dallas pretty boy had three passing touchdowns with one rushing. He had over 240 yards passing and led the Cowboys to their eighth victory of the year. Romo has 11 career touchdowns against the Bucs, and last night he showed why he's so successful against Tampa.

Romo had one blip when he fumbled the ball against the Bucs on the opening drive of the second, a turnover that led to a Bucs touchdown, but other than that he was flawless.

In my opinion, Romo is at the peak of his career and he's playing dang good football right now. The 'Boys should have beaten the Giants last game, and instead of fighting for a playoff spot right now, the team should be squatting on the division lead. At any rate, Romo is a beast and he's doing what he needs to do to lead Dallas to victory.

Felix Jones Is Back?

Remember in Anchorman when Ron Burgundy said, “I’m Ron Burgundy?” That’s kind of how I feel about Felix Jones. For the second straight game, Felix had over 100 rushing yards. Jones had a pretty long scamper of 38 yards, and fullback Tony Fiammetta opened some pretty wide holes for the former Arkansas Razorback.

Newly-signed running back Sammy Morris had a pretty decent day as well (12 carries for 53 yards), so it was a Dallas run-fest on Saturday night.

The Cowboys will need that same type of balance and energy as they prepare to face the Eagles in a crucial game that could decide their playoff fate.

Cowboys Showed Defensive Improvement

I do not want to take anything away from the Cowboys defense just because they played the Bucs, but...they played the Bucs.

Dallas' defense held Tampa quarterback Josh Freeman to just 5.5 yards per pass and 148 yards. Freeman's usual top target, Mike Williams, was shut down and he relied heavily on tight end Kellen Winslow. From my perspective, the Bucs have mailed it in and are already looking forward to next season.

Even so, the 'Boys looked much better, and defensive sack-master DeMarcus Ware got another sack.

Dallas Cut Down on Penalties

Only two penalties for the Cowboys on Saturday for 15 yards. There were no late-game false starts to aid the other team's advancement of the ball or idiotic pass interference and defensive holding penalties. There was an offensive holding call on right tackle Tyron Smith and a false start on tight end Jason Garrett.

I think that this represents more a blip than a trend, and when the Cowboys face the Eagles next week there will probably be more than just two flags called on the 'Boys. It was still nice to see only two calls on the night to go against the team in blue and silver.

Laurent Robinson Continues His End Zone Dominance

Robinson didn't have a touchdown against the Cardinals and the Cowboys lost, but over the past eight games Robinson has nine touchdowns. That's pretty remarkable for a guy who was signed, cut and re-signed by Dallas.

He has great chemistry with Tony Romo and has a nose for the end zone. I just hope Robinson doesn't have a trunk full of cocaine, because if he does then all bets are off for his award of team MVP.

DeMarcus Ware, 16 Sacks

Ware is making a slow march toward Canton if he continues to play this way. He had a sack against Tampa quarterback Josh Freeman and has three games to make it to 20.

He hasn't had a multiple sack game since his four-sack takedown of Eagles quarterback Michael Vick back in Week 8. But Ware scares every quarterback he faces and I'm sure Vick will remember the game Ware had against him when the two teams face each other next week.

Cowboys Are 8-6, Face Philadelphia in Dallas Next Week

How bout them Cowboys? Dallas goes back home to face the Eagles in Dallas next week in their must-win game of the season.

I feel like Dallas has these types of contests every week, and now Philadelphia is the game the Cowboys must win. If Dallas wants to make it to the playoffs, the Cowboys have to take care of business against Philly—if not, it's curtains!

-JH

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