With the threat of a self-imposed $500 fine hanging over their head, the offensive linemen chose not to speak after the game. Too bad, because they dominated even before Titans tackle Albert Haynesworth was ejected. Julius Jones went for 122 yards, and Marion Barber picked up 55. It was precisely what Bill Parcells wants out of his running game.
RUN DEFENSE
B-
Bill Parcells didn't like what he saw in the first half when the Titans ran for 50 yards. In the second half, Tennessee had just 28 yards, but there was a spell where LenDale White ran through some gaping holes. Once the score became lopsided, the Titans could no longer run. The final numbers look stout: 27 carries, 78 yards, a long of nine yards.
PASS OFFENSE
B+
Drew Bledsoe's first pass was intercepted, but that was the only mistake. He was accurate and did not hold the ball too long. Terrell Owens led Dallas receivers with 88 yards, and Terry Glenn caught more than one touchdown pass in a game for the third time as a Cowboy. And the line deserves credit for keeping Bledsoe (zero sacks) upright.
PASS DEFENSE
B+
Vince Young was sacked twice, but not until the score was out of hand. There was a reason why Young had time: The Titans used maximum protection so much, often sending out only two receivers. Aaron Glenn came up with a momentum-killing interception on the first series of the third quarter, and Bradie James returned a pick for a touchdown.
SPECIAL TEAMS
B
Mike Vanderjagt's kickoffs were not pretty, which could bring Shaun Suisham back to the game-day roster, and he missed a 26-yard field goal in the first half. Mat McBriar's lone punt went 40 yards for a fair catch. The Cowboys could have had better return numbers, but Terence Newman was stopped twice by a teammate on punts.
COACHING
A
Sometimes the bye week can do funny things to teams, but the Cowboys were able to shake off slow first series for the offense and defense. Once the Cowboys knew they could run the ball, they kept pounding and did not out-think themselves. Defensively, they did not bring much heat on Vince Young, but there were few lapses after the run defense solidified.
OVERALL
A
Bill Parcells can quibble with the defensive effort, but the Cowboys allowed only 14 points and 229 yards. Offensively, the Cowboys were precise, compiling 217 yards on the ground and 179 through the air. Considering all of the outside distractions this team had since its last game, the effort and execution were there in a game the Cowboys had to have.
This text is invisible on the page, but this text is affected by the invisible item's flow. This text is invisible on the page, but this text is affected by the invisible item's flow.
