The Dallas Cowboys have hope. The team got a needed win over the Washington Redskins and feel like there is a chance they can make a serious run at the NFC East. Despite the losing streak, the division is still up for grabs and if Matt Cassel and company can turn things up they have a chance at the playoffs. However, injuries will get in the way of that just like they have all season as Darren McFadden and Dez Bryant are banged up entering Week 14.
Darren McFadden went down in the win over the Washington Redskins with what was deemed a concussion. The running back was evaluated for the issue, but the team remains confident that he should be fine to play on Sunday. Regardless, McFadden struggled against the Redskins with two critical fumbles. The concussion is what took him out of the game and makes him limited heading into Week 14. The injury to McFadden is just another knock to the running back rotation that has taken plenty of hits this year. If the veteran were held out, Robert Turbin and Lucky Whitehead would get the nods in Week 14.
Whitehead is beginning to make a name for himself as a change of pace type of player. He only rushed twice on Monday for 35 yards which was huge for the Cowboys. He also recorded a two kick returns for 70 yards and three punt returns for 31 yards. It is that type of production that is going to get him more playing time each week as head coach Jason Garrett praised the young running back.
"Some of those runs he had on offense were big plays for us," Garrett said, via ESPN.com. "The return, obviously, was huge and the awareness he had in that situation was important. Sometimes, you can forget what's most important. The ball is what's most important. He did a good job securing the ball, so we could maximize the opportunity."
Bryant has also been banged up this year, but Garrett stressed the receiver will be healthy for Week 14 as he and Cassel need to improve their chemistry. Bryant was not happy after the Monday game as he really only produced in the fourth quarter. At one point after Cassel hit Cole Beasley and neglected to find the open Bryant down field, the receiver threw a fit on the sidelines. Garrett told the media that Bryant's numbers are not the same with Cassel as they are with Tony Romo and that needs to change. Bryant simply said that he was just frustrated and wants to win.
"I'm going to be honest about that one. I was frustrated, I was," Bryant said, via ESPN.com. "You just have to understand it's the game. It's the game. Everybody wants to make plays. Everybody wants to be there for the team."
If the Cowboys have any shot at the postseason, getting Bryant the ball will be critical. Jason Witten will get his catches and McFadden can rack up the yards, but the deep ball to Bryant is what will win the Cowboys games.
