Dallas Cowboys: Nobody steps up; other takeaways

Oct 4, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back C.J. Spiller (28) breaks the tackle of Dallas Cowboys strong safety Barry Church (42) to score the game-winning 80-yard touchdown in overtime at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints won 26-20. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Cowboys are playing with a roster without their MVP-caliber quarterback and Pro Bowl-caliber wide receiver, amongst other injuries, and not many are stepping up and filling roles on this team.

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That was proven on Sunday night when the Cowboys had to scrape to just force an overtime against the previously winless New Orleans Saints, losing by a 26-20 score, and the Cowboys were lucky the game was even able to make overtime.

If not for a missed field goal attempt by the Saints very late in the fourth, the Cowboys would (and should) have lost in regulation, but it was in the books for the defense to look their worst in extra time.

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Is it an excuse to say players aren’t stepping up when others are leaving games with injuries? Yes, but the offense play calling is boring, the offensive line doesn’t look like its old self, and the defense gave the Saints more gifts than Santa Claus on Sunday night.

What is most bothersome is the play of the defensive backfield in how they continue to not show up when needed the most, the pass rush disappears in clutch moments and the second-half play of this ball club the past two weeks just leaves more wanted.

I didn’t forget about the running game, or lack thereof, and I honestly can’t put this loss on Brandon Weeden, because he is a backup for a reason. He showed he was able to stretch the field with a long pass, but when that happened, the injury bug happened, and in my eyes a lot just began to crumble on Sunday night. It most likely won’t get better with the New England Patriots up next on the schedule.

There is a lot to talk about, but here are five takeaways from the loss.

Next: Bad habits return for defense