Every week, we'll grade the Cowboys on the three phases of the weekend's game.
Offense: F
It's obvious isn't it? DeMarco Murray rushed for 80 yards and a touchdown in the first half but was taken out of the game by Drew Brees & Co. when they extended the score beyond letting Dallas run the ball. Tony Romo was awful, Jason Witten was dropping passes and Dez Bryant was defended brilliantly by Rob Ryan's defense. The only positive to take from this game for the Cowboys' offense was that Terrance Williams scored another touchdown. Other than that? Move on to that bye week.
Defense: F
This grade might be a little bit unfair. On the day they got DeMarcus Ware, who clearly wasn't 100 percent, back from an injury, they lost perhaps the most important player on the defense in Sean Lee to a hamstring injury that is sure to shelf Lee for at least a few weeks judging by his limp off the field. As Cris Collinsworth said, the Cowboys' defense looked "unrecognizable" as the good story of the Cowboys' defensive line of no-names finally caught up with them.
Special teams: A
There has to be some bright spot, right? Well, this was it. Dan Bailey was once again perfect on extra points and hit his only field goal attempt. Chris Jones averaged better than 50 yards on eight punts and had four inside the 20-yard line. Dwayne Harris recovered a fumble on a punt return and the Cowboys were successful on an onside kick attempt in the third quarter.
