Sep. 30--IRVING -- The day after the Dallas Cowboys' first loss of the season, not much seemed different.
Jay Ratliff played his PSP while sitting at his locker. Several players attended a chapel session. Others received treatment, some worked out and others watched film. A few expressed disappointment about Sunday's 26-24 loss to Washington, yet how it might be good for them.
"I think it's good sometimes you do get set down on your butt for a second to realize that you were getting away with some mistakes," wide receiver Patrick Crayton said.
Others talked about not letting one week affect the next.
"The thing is, we know we can play," defensive end Marcus Spears said. "We know we're a good football team. It's not something that's going to devastate us. We understand what it takes."
After winning in Green Bay last week, the prevailing themes were that the Cowboys couldn't lose and had a varied offense that didn't need Terrell Owens to be a superstar every week. This week, Owens wants the ball more despite being targeted 18 times.
Last week, the Cowboys had a stout run defense. This week, they don't after Clinton Portis ran for 121 yards.
"I guess now we can be alleviated from going 16-0," linebacker Bradie James said.
But the chance to go 7-1, which would match last year's start, is staring at them.
Next up on the schedule is winless Cincinnati on Sunday at Texas Stadium.
That's followed by trips to Arizona, which allowed 56 points to the New York Jets on Sunday, and winless St. Louis, which fired coach Scott Linehan on Monday.
Tampa Bay (3-1) closes out October, but the Buccaneers lost, 38-10, at Texas Stadium in 2006.
benedictrick 
