After the first three weeks of the NFL season, the Dallas Cowboys have shown what this season will be all about.
They have not answered whether they will beat out Philly for the NFC East crown or not and making the playoffs is no guarantee. But we can bank on one thing, every game has the possibility of being exciting.
In the three games Dallas has played, all three have come down to the fourth quarter, with the game winning plays being made in the final minutes.
With a 2-1 record, the Cowboys have shown they are adept at playing under such extreme pressure. But how long can the 2005 cardiac kids last if they continue at such a pace.
Well, fans may have to get used to such theatrics for the rest of the season. The Cowboys have the type of team that is built for last second wins or losses.
With no break away wideouts, the Cowboys will not be blowing too many teams out. Their offense is constructed to run the ball 40 times a game with Julious Jones, and move the chains deliberately with old, but experienced receivers in Keyshawn Johnson and Terry Glenn.
Dallas takes on the 0-3 Oakland Raiders this Sunday. But do not let their record fool you. Oakland could easily be 3-0 right now. But they have suffered the same fourth quarter opportunities as the Boys. The Raiders just have not been able to put it together when it has been needed.
This could be Oakland's week to win its first game. Their greatest strength seems to go right at the Cowboy's biggest weakness in the first three weeks -- pass defense.
With the incomparable Randy Moss and a talented Jerry Porter, the Raiders have arguably the best wide receiver tandem in the NFL. Moss is averaging a league best 23 yards per catch and to go along with his 343 total yards. And while Kerry Collins will never be considered one the league's elite quarterbacks, he can fling it deep down the field at any time for the big play, which Dallas has allowed with regularity. He is 63-for-116 for 873 yards and six touchdowns.
Dallas is ranked 13 in the NFC in defense and have allowed 696 passing yards this year. Only the Giants, San Francisco and the Vikings have a worse averaged against the pass.
If the Cowboys can tighten up is pass defense, they can make some serious noise the rest of the season. They are tied with Philadelphia and New York for second place in the NFC East behind the Redskins. There is no rule saying Dallas can't win the division and conference this year and make a legitimate run at the Super Bowl.
But if they do, it will have to be on the baited breath of its fans as they squeak out victories and avoid late collapses.
Reach Michael Kinney at sports@altustimes.com
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