Owner Jerry Jones has confidence. Despite all of the injuries the Dallas Cowboys are facing right now the owner believes the team will not drop off the map. The Cowboys started 2-0 on the season and are hoping to remain undefeated as the Atlanta Falcons prepare to also achieve the same goal in Week 3. The Cowboys' battle is much more uphill as Dez Bryant and Tony Romo are out while Jason Witten is listed as questionable.
Heading into Week 3, Jones is making it clear that he has full confidence in the roster. Brandon Weeden will be making the start in place of Romo. The Cowboys did trade for Matt Cassel, but have no intentions of starting him unless Weeden struggles. Witten has made it clear that he fully intends to be on the field despite spraining both ankles while Terrance Williams now fills the shoes of Bryant. Jones thinks it will be enough to get the job done.
"If we improve within because they're not here and then we have them come back, which will make us better when they do return, then I think we've got a chance to be a better team," Jones said, via ESPN.com. "That's certainly the way I look at it. But from the standpoint of them not being here and falling off the map, I don't see that at all. The game is not designed that way. There's too many people that have to get on the field and play the game. Now, do we depend inordinately on Tony Romo? Yes. There's no question. But we're going to have him. We just don't have him right now."
With Romo out and Weeden in, the run game becomes very important. The Cowboys have yet to get a solid amount of production from Darren McFadden and Joseph Randle and Week 3 would be a good time to start. Atlanta appears to have a better run defense then in years past, but the Cowboys would be wise to establish the run before getting to the passing game. Randle is averaging 3.4 yards per carry while McFadden as 2.9 yards per carry to his name. The real star has been Lance Dunbar who is making an impact in the passing game. Head coach Jason Garrett is well aware just how important staying balanced will be.
"We have to do a better job running the football. We were behind the chains way too much in this ballgame and kind of digging out," Garrett said, via ESPN.com. "You have procedure penalties and holding penalties and you see a lot second-and-12, second-and-16 and first-and-20, and those are hard drives to overcome. We're at our best when we're balanced."
The Cowboys have a shot to remain undefeated. They are not out of the race. The team has one of the top offensive lines in the nation. If they can dominate the line of scrimmage, Dallas could remain a threat despite the injuries.
