Donning my Tony Romo jersey yesterday morning, I had to be pleased with how Dallas played during its win against Tampa Bay Sunday. The pesky Buccaneers, who aren't expected to turn too many heads this year, played well during their first game with new coach Raheem Morris. They kept the score close for most of the game, but in the end, three long Romo touchdown passes of 42, 66 and 80 yards sealed the win for the Cowboys.
The Dallas defense held the Buccaneers in check for the most part, and the Cowboy offense looks like it won't suffer a major drop in production after its release of receiver Terrell Owens. I was impressed by the number of playmakers Dallas has on offense as I perused the final stats, from Romo to running backs Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice, to receivers Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton and Miles Austin. And of course, there's Romo's homeboy, Jason Witten, who caught five passes for 71 yards. This year, the media won't be able to point out that he is catching more passes than Owens. Thank goodness.
So all is well for now in the Cowboys camp, but fans and haters of Dallas alike know this is a normal start for the Cowboys, who have started strong each of the past several seasons. Finishing the year on a good note has been the problem as of late for Dallas, a team that hasn't won a playoff game since 1996.
Compounding my cautious optimism is the fact that the NFL's NFC East Division - following Week One of the season - is once again looking like the NFC "Beast."
The Eagles, perhaps inspired by previous defensive coordinator Jim Johnson who passed away during the offseason, forced seven turnovers in an overwhelming 38-10 defeat of the Panthers in Charlotte. Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb played well before injuring his left rib area during a third quarter touchdown run, and Kevin Kolb was solid in the backup role even though the game had already been decided. Based on reports from ESPN, it seems as though McNabb might not be ready for the Eagles' home opener against high-powered New Orleans, but McNabb has been very resilient during his career and I don't expect his injury to be a big problem this season. Additionally, following next week's game against New Orleans, Michael Vick is expected to be reinstated, providing the Eagle offense with another weapon in its arsenal.
Though Carolina played terribly - particularly quarterback Jake Delhomme, who was responsible for five turnovers - the Eagles look to be a force once again in the division. Dallas travels to Philly for a Sunday night Nov. 8 matchup, while the Eagles visit the new Cowboys Stadium for the first time in the Jan. 3 regular season finale, a game I plan on attending. The two games could be critical in determining both teams' playoff chances.
The NFC East's other two teams, the Giants and Redskins, already engaged in a division battle late Sunday afternoon. New York eventually prevailed 23-17, but led 17-0 before a fake field goal for a touchdown run by Washington closed the first half.
Some projections have the Redskins making the playoffs, and the talent certainly seems to be there in coach Jim Zorn's second season. The Redskins' 2008 season was divided into two halves: a 6-2 first half and a 2-6 second half. I'm expecting the Redskins to be as good as or better than last year, but no matter what kind of record they bring in to a game against the Cowboys any given year, they are always a thorn in Dallas' side. Records can always be thrown out when these two archrivals clash, and fans have no idea what to expect. Dallas doesn't meet Washington until late in the season: Nov. 22 at Dallas and Dec. 27 at Washington.
The Giants - the defending NFC East champions - fizzled a bit down the stretch last season with the absence of receiver Plaxico Burress, losing to the Eagles in the divisional round of the playoffs. Sunday, quarterback Eli Manning spread the ball around to seven different receivers, looking as comfortable as Romo following the departure of his big-name receiver.
Perhaps the biggest boost for this Giants team, however, is the return of defensive end Osi Umenyiora, who missed all of last season with a knee injury. Umenyiora contributed right away Sunday, recording four tackles and a sack. He also knocked the ball out of Redskin quarterback Jason Campbell's hand then picked it up and ran in for a 37-yard touchdown during the second quarter.
Dallas will probably find out just how good it is next Sunday night, when it hosts New York in the inaugural regular season game at Cowboys Stadium. The Cowboys pay their visit to the Meadowlands Dec. 6.
Last season, every team in the NFC East finished with a record of 8-8 or better. I can easily foresee this same situation occurring this season. Fans of the Cowboys, Eagles, Redskins and Giants should be in for another roller coaster season. As a Dallas fan, I am content after Week One but know the challenges that lie ahead.
For now, though, I'm just hoping no punts hit the gigantic scoreboard at Cowboys Stadium next weekend.
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