Dec 11, 2011; Dallas, TX, USA; New York Giants safety Deon Grant (34) returns a fumble from Dallas Cowboys running back Felix Jones (28) in the second quarter at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

The Cowboys are coming off a six turnover performance (four interceptions, two fumbles) against the New York Giants. Out of the six turnovers five resulted in points for the Giants. The Giants scored 26 of their 29 points following a Dallas turnover. Now only was the number of turnovers glaring, but where the turnovers took place was even worse. Three of quarterback Tony Romo’s four interceptions occurred in Dallas territory, including, the most heart breaking, a pick-six by defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul before the end of the first quarter. Both fumbles occurred close to mid field and led to Giants scores as well.

Turnovers are bad enough, turnovers that lead to points are even worse, but the most upsetting thing about the Cowboys turnover problems last Sunday were the players involved in the production of those turnovers. Obviously, Tony Romo gets credit for the four interceptions, being the quarterback. In reality however, only two of those interceptions can be placed solely on his shoulders. One was a miscommunication with Dez Bryant (stop me if I sound like a broken record) and another interception was just an amazing play by Jason Pierre-Paul. The fore mentioned Bryant added to his miscues by muffing a punt, resulting in one of the fumbles and Felix Jones added to his disappointing Cowboys career by fumbling late in the fourth quarter. Felix Jones may have written his ticket out of town, because his fumble led to a field goal that gave the Giants a four point lead, as the Cowboys were driving for a potential game winning field goal. The fumble and field goal by the Giants lead to the need for the late game heroics that we saw that ended with the Cowboys just a fingernail away from snatching victory from defeat.

Oct 28, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys safety Gerald Sensabaugh (43) knocks the ball away from New York Giants receiver Victor Cruz (80) and is intercepted by safety Dany McCray (40) at Cowboys Stadium. The Giants beat the Cowboys 29-24. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-US PRESSWIRE

The offensive turnovers could have been much more catastrophic for the Cowboys if the defense had not held the Giants to field goals rather than touchdowns. All season long the Cowboys defense has been at the top of the NFL in yardage allowed, but the problem is that they have been towards the bottom in turnover production. Against the Giants on Sunday they almost doubled their amount of turnovers in one game as they have created all season.The Cowboys finally got an interception from a defensive back, previously their leader in interceptions was Sean L with one. Lee a middle linebacker is currently on the injured reserve and done for the season. In the third quarter on Sunday, nickle cornerback Danny McCray intercepted an Eli Manning pass. This was the second interception of the season for the Dallas Defense. In the offseason the Cowboy spent free agency and the Draft in an opportunity to upgrade the secondary. Brandon Carr was signed from Kansas City and the Cowboys traded up in the Draft to get Morris Claiborne out of LSU. To this point in the season neither Carr or Claiborne have intercepted a pass, but the Cowboys do post a top ranked defense in passing yards allowed. Claiborne was however involved in the recovery of a fumble to end the first quarter on Sunday against the Giants.

This coming Sunday the Cowboys play the Atlanta Falcons. Along with being undefeated the Falcons have also been one of the best teams in terms of turnovers ratio. In an earlier game this season on Monday Night Football against the Denver Broncos, the Falcons defense intercepted Peyton Manning three times in the first half. The Falcons also rely on a strong running game behind Michael Turner, who has been one of the best at not fumbling in his career as the running back in Atlanta.

The Cowboys have struggled all year with turnovers. Committing turnovers on offense and generating them on defense have been major concerns for Dallas. The last game against New York was an example as the same cast of characters were responsible for six turnovers leading to 26 points for the New York Giants. The Dallas defense again did their best job to hold teams out of the endzone, but their turnovers resulted in zero points for the Cowboys. This week the Cowboys face an opportunistic Falcons team. If the Cowboys want to leave Georgia victorious, they will have to protect the football and force the undefeated Falcons to make uncharacteristic mistakes.

Starting quarterback Tony Romo is often criticized for his turnover filled games. While Romo is not solely to blame for the Cowboys early struggles in 2010, his five interceptions in the last two weeks has certainly contributed to the losses.

Fans and media members are not the only ones recognizing that Romo needs to take care of the ball more than ever, Romo himself has commented on the situation.

“The good news is there’s not a trend in making poor decisions,” Romo said. “Now, the ball is getting intercepted and we have to correct that. I have to do a better job. I have to correct that, and I will.

“But you have to throw it in there. When the guy’s open, you can’t hold the ball because it’s a farther down-the-field throw. Then you’ve got no chance. You’ve got to find the right mix. I know how important that is.”

While he is looking to protect the ball more, Romo vows to not play scared.

“If you dwell on the past, you’re in a lot of trouble in the future,” Romo said. “You have to be in the moment. You have to make the right decision. You have to block out what’ s going to happen in the future, what’s happened in the past and you have to make the right choice and right decision at that time.

“For us, that’s the way each play needs to be run. Where’s the best play to go with the football on this specific play and at this specific time? There’s nothing that happened in the past or in the future that’s going to dictate more than that.”

Romo’s comments are taking a step in the right direction. He is taking accountability and will attempt to fix them. Let us hope this will contribute to a Cowboys win on Monday night.

Both Cowboys touchdowns have come on receptions by the often criticized Roy E. Williams. Williams is proving his worth and has really turned it on this season. It seems that drafting Dez Bryant has given Williams a new fire and he is now producing at a great rate. He has 5 touchdowns in four and a half games.

The Cowboys offense put together a 14 play drive that took over seven minutes off the clock at the end of the first half, which gave the Dallas defense a much needed rest.

Dallas’ defense has been putting the pressure on Brett Favre through the first two quarters resulting in three sacks. The Dallas D has also recovered a fumble. Unfortunately, Tony Romo also threw a pick.

This is the same old story for Dallas. Penalties have held the team back — even taking a Miles Austin touchdown off the board. Discipline continues to lack, but the team is overcoming the early adversity.

Perhaps the secret key to success in this game has been the Cowboys dedication to the run game. Jason Garrett has dialed up more running plays than pass plays in the first half; keeping the Minnesota pass rush off balance. This may be the first time you’ve heard me say it, but Garrett is calling an excellent game thus far.

Let’s hope the defense can keep up their play and the offense keeps putting up more points. Of course, that means buckling down and not giving the refs a reason to throw their laundry all over the field in the last thirty minutes.