Romo-less Cowboys lose to Rams
"Part of it is, this is not last year's team," Phillips said. "This is this year's team. We won some close games [last year]. We came from behind last year and did a lot of good things, and we seem to think we can do those things, and we haven't done them. Especially lately."
St. Louis entered Sunday's game having not scored more than 19 points in a game this season. The Rams had 21 points with 1:56 left in the first quarter. The onslaught started with a 42-yard touchdown catch by rookie Donnie Avery. A botched shotgun snap that forced a punt and a Brad Johnson interception led to two touchdown runs by Steven Jackson.
The first quarter was so bad that Phillips even lost his first replay challenge of the season after a fumble by Marion Barber.
St. Louis entered Sunday's game with only four offensive touchdowns in its first five games. The Rams had their fourth on Sunday when Jackson, who ran for 160 yards, sprinted 56 yards with 8:55 left in the third quarter for a 31-7 lead in what was the longest play for a touchdown the Cowboys have allowed this season.
"That took the air out of a lot of guys," linebacker Zach Thomas said.
St. Louis entered Sunday with only one interception. The Rams had their third pick of Johnson with 8:25 left in the fourth quarter when safety Oshiomongo Atogwe snagged a deep pass intended for Terrell Owens.
"Across the board, we've got to try and fix it," tight end Jason Witten said. "We've got to look at ourselves and fix it, because you can't talk about talent and expectations. That doesn't mean anything right now."
DARK DAYSThe Cowboys' worst losses under Bill Parcells (2003-06) and Wade Phillips (2007-present):Margin Date Opponent28 11/15/2005 vs. Philadelphia, 49-2128 12/18/2005 at Washington, 35-726 12/7/2003 at Philadelphia, 36-1025 12/10/2006 vs. New Orleans, 42-1723 11/7/2005 at Cincinnati, 26-321 12/30/2007 at Washington, 27-621 10/14/2007 vs. New England, 48-2721 10/24/2005 at Green Bay, 41-2020 10/19/2008 at St. Louis, 34-1420 11/21/2005 at Baltimore, 30-10
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