BLUE 1,026 Posted November 13, 2015 (AP) -- Time is running out for the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers as they sit in last place in their respective divisions at the midpoint. The Cowboys are enduring their longest losing streak since 1989, and Sunday's road matchup may be their last chance to win before Tony Romo returns. Dallas (2-6) is in its worst stretch since losing the final seven games of its 1-15 season that set a team mark for futility. The Cowboys have dropped all six games without Romo, who is eligible to return next week at Miami and has begun practicing after being out with a broken left collarbone. Before that, Dallas hopes to end a frustrating stretch in which four defeats have been by seven or fewer points. "I didn't expect to lose six games with our roster," owner Jerry Jones said. "I didn't expect to lose Romo after the second game. A lot of people lose players, and a lot of people win games. We're just very disappointed for everybody concerned that we haven't won more games." While Dallas had big expectations as defending NFC East champion, that wasn't the case for Tampa Bay (3-5) with Lovie Smith in his second year as coach and quarterback Jameis Winston in his rookie season. The Buccaneers have improved on a last-place finish at 2-14 in the South in 2014, though they feel capable of more. "When you have a 3-5 record, you're not where you want to be at that moment," Smith said. "But we have a little bit of time to get it right." Dallas went 0-3 with Brandon Weeden at quarterback before dropping the next three behind Matt Cassel, who showed improvement in last Sunday's 33-27 overtime loss to Philadelphia with 299 passing yards and three touchdowns. However, he made a critical mistake as he had a pass intercepted by Jordan Hicks and returned 67 yards for a TD in the fourth quarter. "We have to address why it hasn't been good enough," coach Jason Garrett said. "All this stuff about how we play is important. But then you have to do those things at the end of the ballgame to win the game." Darren McFadden has become the starting running back due to Lance Dunbar's season-ending torn ACL and the release of troubled Joseph Randle. McFadden has carried at least 20 times in three straight games for the first time, running for 117 yards last weekend for Dallas' eighth-ranked ground attack (128.6 ypg). Tampa Bay is looking for a productive effort from a running game that's ranked seventh with 131.9 yards. Doug Martin is averaging 80.4, though he was held to a season-low 31 and lost a fumble in last Sunday's 32-18 home loss to the New York Giants. The presence of Martin has taken the pressure off Winston, who went 19 of 36 for 249 yards and failed to throw a touchdown pass for the first time Sunday. Winston has no turnovers in his last four games. "They're trying to run the football, they've done a very a good job running it and I think (Winston's) doing well in a complementary type role and I say that as a compliment," Garrett said. "He's been able to make some plays for them, he hasn't made a lot of mistakes, he's made some big plays with his feet." Mike Evans matched a career high with eight receptions for 152 yards against the Giants, though he also had six drops as Winston targeted him 19 times. Evans blamed himself for the loss. "I know he's going to bounce back," Winston said. "That's Mike, Mike is a competitor. It's rare that that may happen but I know that he's going to bounce back. He already put that behind him and we're going to try to have another productive game this game." A rainy atmosphere last weekend contributed to Evans' problems, though sunny skies are forecast this Sunday in Tampa. Dez Bryant came through with five catches for 104 yards and his first touchdown last weekend for Dallas. Jones said that Sean Lee is doubtful after the linebacker suffered his second concussion in five weeks. Lee, with a team-high 66 tackles, has not missed a game. The Buccaneers' defense features three players who were with the Cowboys last season in linebacker Bruce Carter, tackle Henry Melton and cornerback Sterling Moore. Dallas has won the last five meetings with Tampa Bay. Source: Hosted.Stats.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted November 15, 2015 You'd think that Dallas should win this game, but I just have very little faith in them. They seem to lack a leader (unless you listen to leather face, in which case it is Greg Hardy) and they just kinda look defeated as soon as they hit the field. I hate Dallas and enjoy them losing, but it's almost kinda pathetic -- even for them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted November 15, 2015 Confirmed Garbage Greg Hardy is gonna sack also confirmed garbage Jameis Winston, and the amount of trash on the field will be so bad that the Glazers and Jones' will need to make an apology for polluting the earth. Bucs win. 17 16 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted November 15, 2015 Bucs declared TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins (shoulder) inactive for Week 10 against the Cowboys. The Bucs are dragging their feet with ASJ, who seemed ready to return 2-3 weeks ago. He can be dropped in 12-team leagues. Also inactive for the Bucs are WR Vincent Jackson, DE Jacquies Smith, OG Ali Marpet, S D.J. Swearinger, S Major Wright and QB Ryan Griffin. Cowboys declared WLB Sean Lee (concussion) inactive for Week 10 against the Bucs. Lee is week to week. We wouldn't automatically assume he'll be ready for Week 11. Also inactive for the Cowboys are WR Brice Butler, RB Trey Williams, TE Geoff Swaim, DE Ryan Russell, OG Ronald Leary and DB Corey White. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BwareDWare94 723 Posted November 15, 2015 ROFL supposedly best OL in the league. If you can't run every week, you ain't #1. Once again, one of Dallas' most valuable pieces costs them the game. I'm looking at you, Dan Bailey. Make that 48 yard FG and you can win it for them on that final drive. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cherry 1,302 Posted November 16, 2015 To be fair Bailey was perfect on the season up to that point IIRC. Also Tampa has been hell for kickers this year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BwareDWare94 723 Posted November 16, 2015 To be fair Bailey was perfect on the season up to that point IIRC. Also Tampa has been hell for kickers this year. I really want to pardon Dan Bailey, but they needed him to be perfect when the offense was struggling so much. One more made kick and he can send them home at 3-6 and getting Romo back to trounce the Dolphins next week. 4-6 ain't pretty, but everybody else has 5 losses. Hell, even at 2-7, they're in the discussion. They're not likely to do any real damage, but they're in the discussion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BwareDWare94 723 Posted November 16, 2015 (edited) Lol Jeff Heath Of all the guys in that secondary to have 2 picks in a game... Edited November 16, 2015 by BwareDWare94 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BradyFan81 404 Posted November 16, 2015 Cowboys can easily still win this division with Romo back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted November 16, 2015 Of all the guys in that secondary to have 2 picks in a game... Wasn't aware. Crucial mistake at the end of the game however. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maverick 791 Posted November 16, 2015 Cowboys can easily still win this division with Romo back. What record do you see winning the East? We're already 2-7 and Romo isn't going undefeated. I told myself we'd have to win @ Tampa to keep our playoff hopes alive. We didn't. What an extremely poor job by our team. I don't care if Joe Montana goes down and Quincy Carter is your backup, you cannot go 0-7. You have to win at least ONE game I mean holy shit... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BwareDWare94 723 Posted November 16, 2015 They built a team entirely reliant on one player and he got hurt. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ATL_Predator+ 1,196 Posted November 16, 2015 Cowboys are done..but I wouldn't say that whole team was built around Romo. They have a great offensive line, decent backs, a HOFer at TE. But it is their fault they didn't invest in a competent backup lmao. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Milla4Prez63 678 Posted November 16, 2015 We really need Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Vincent Jackson back. I'm impressed with what Jameis has done with the little he has out there, but damn man enough is enough. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted November 16, 2015 (edited) Ya the Cowboys believing that Matt Cassel could be the lynchpin is the real issue here. That on top of what I mentioned earlier about not having a real group of leaders. Who holds them together when things start going south ? There is no one. Maybe Jason Witten but one strong positive voice doesn't cancel out all the negativity emitting from the likes of Dez, Hardy, etc. It's easy to play well when you are winning and when everyone is healthy. It's during the times of struggle that your team gets defined. Your teams personality reflects that of the head coach and the collective attitude of the guys on the roster. Edited November 16, 2015 by Favre4Ever 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
