IRVING – This isn't the time to get into the habit of making poor decisions.
Quarterback Tony Romo, despite going 2-2 over the last four weeks, has thrown seven interceptions and four touchdown passes.
His quarterback rating following Monday's loss to Philadelphia was a season-low 45.5.
The Cowboys are in the playoffs, but in a very weak NFC, they have optimism of going far.
It's probably why coach Bill Parcells spoke to his quarterback Wednesday to straighten him up.
"I think he understands what I want from him now, a little more clearly than maybe he did up to this point," Parcells said.
Romo's interceptions were thrown into double-coverage.
A pass intended for Terrell Owens in the end zone was thrown toward the middle instead of toward the sideline.
Romo said he was pressing when he threw the pass to Owens.
"I was disappointed," Romo said. "I didn't give myself ... normally I understand the situations of the game. Either we got to score on this drive or you have to take a chance. That was very frustrating."
Jones looking for more carries: Julius Jones has 23 carries over the last two games, and he would like to see more come his way.
"It's been like that for me the last four or five weeks," Jones said. "I do what I do when my number is called and unfortunately it hasn't been very often the past four or five weeks. Maybe that will change starting this week."
Jones stopped short of saying that the Cowboys gave up on the run too soon against the Eagles.
After two first-quarter possessions, Dallas had 14 yards on five carries whereas Philadelphia had 39 yards on nine carries.
For the game, Jones rushed 10 times for 38 yards and Marion Barber rushed six times for three yards. Romo led the team in rushing, with three carries for 42 yards.
"I felt like we were running the ball pretty good to begin with," Jones said. "It seemed like we just stopped. I'm not saying we gave up on it too early, it's not my place. But I thought we were running the ball pretty well at the beginning of the game."
No problems with Glenn: Receiver Terry Glenn also complained about not getting involved in the offense quickly enough.
But Parcells didn't seem too concerned about it.
"I know Terry Glenn a lot better than you," he told reporters. "So we'll just leave it at that."
Ratliff misses practice: Defensive tackle Jay Ratliff missed practice with a sore right shoulder that was separated Monday's. He's listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Detroit. An MRI revealed no rotator cuff damage.
Parcells said he will use a rotation of guys in Ratliff's spot on the nickel defense if he can't play on Sunday. Stephen Bowen, who hasn't played this season, could replace Ratliff.
Briefly: Jacques Reeves (dislocated elbow) practiced and is listed as questionable.
E-mail cwatkins@dallasnews.com
BEHIND THE NUMBER
23-72
Matt Millen has been the Lions' team president since 2001, and during that time Detroit has posted an NFL-worst 23-72 record. The Lions have never won more than six games in a season since Millen took over. With a loss Sunday, Detroit would have its second two-win year in Millen's stewardship.
Todd Archer
BURNING QUESTION
With the late-season meltdown of the Cowboys' defense, do you see Mike Zimmer returning next year?
Tim Holt, Fairport, N.Y.
If I had to bet money right now, I'd say he wouldn't be back, in part because his contract expires at the end of this season. A lot of people blame Zimmer for what's happened during the defense's free fall, and he deserves some of it. But the players also have to make plays, and there has been a lack of that during the season. The best players – Roy Williams, Terence Newman, Bradie James and Anthony Henry – have not consistently made enough big plays. Only DeMarcus Ware has consistently made game- changing plays for the Cowboys.
Jean-Jacques Taylor
