The Dallas Cowboys are planning to start Matt Cassel again in Week 15 despite the quarterback struggling against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. Tony Romo returning for the regular season is unlikely and after the Cowboys lost in Week 14, the chances of making the playoffs are looking very slim in the NFC East.
The Cowboys offense could not get much going in the rain against the Packers and some in the media have suggested that Kellen Moore get a chance to start over Cassel. Head coach Jason Garrett put an end to any speculation about that on Monday, saying that Cassel will start in Week 15, according to the Dallas Morning News. Cassel has gone just 1-5 as the starter, but he has more experience than Moore and Garrett said that the team still "feels like Matt Cassel is that guy" and that he has "contributed to putting us in position to win other games."
Cassel has not played great during his time starting for the Cowboys with five touchdowns and six interceptions over eight games played, but overall the team has not performed up to expectations. The Cowboys are still alive in the NFC East with the Redskins, Eagles and Giants all 6-7 this season, but they will need some help to get in and they will need to win out to have a chance. Romo is out after reinjuring his collarbone and the only way he will return is if the team makes the playoffs.
Romo has not yet been placed on injured reserve for that reason, but the Cowboys odds of making the playoffs took a hit with the loss to the Packers. Romo had five touchdowns and seven interceptions in four games played this season and even if the Cowboys did make the playoffs, there is no certainty that Romo would be healthy enough to return.
Dez Bryant did not do much against the Packers on Sunday, putting up just one catch for nine yards on six targets for the Cowboys. Bryant and the Cowboys were hoping to get some revenge after the catch-non-catch call in the playoffs last year, but they did not see that happen on Sunday. Bryant has had only one "big" game since coming back from a foot injury and over the past three weeks he has just six catches combined.
Darren McFadden had a bounce back game for the Cowboys, rushing for 111 yards against the Packers after putting up just 64 over the previous two games. McFadden did most of his work on two long runs against the Packers, but overall his numbers were solid for fantasy owners and he is a decent option next week against the Jets.