Sorting NFL contenders from pretenders
At the beginning of the 2010 NFL regular season, expectations for the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys couldn’t have been higher. Both teams felt that this was going to be their year. Unfortunately for both clubs, neither has been able to match
the hype that has surrounded them. Both the Cowboys and the Bengals have losing records after five weeks, which begs the question: who’s to blame?
The woeful Cincinnati Bengals
It sure seems that Terrell Owens enjoys playing with the Cincinnati Bengals. After all, it was just two weeks ago that the controversial receiver took apart the Cleveland Browns defence with 10 catches for 222 yards in a 23-20 loss.
"I think it was an eye-opener for a lot of people out there that have said a lot of negative things about me, as far as I've lost a step, I can't play," Owens said.
Owens,36, then turned in another solid performance in his team’s 24-21 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday with over 100 yards receiving, and is currently fifth in the 2010 NFL regular season in receiving yards with 476. Teammate Chad Ochocinco trails
Owens with 26 receptions for a total of 316 and has not been a dominate force in the passing game as many anticipated. While many believe that Owens has been the team’s lone spark plug in the past few weeks, the Bengals have also relied on running-back Cedric
Benson.
He has given the offence balance, but unfortunately for Cincinnati, they are third in the AFC North with a 2-3 record. So who is to blame? As of lately, all eyes have been on quarterback Carson Palmer, who admitted that he needs to step up his level of play
after tossing three interceptions last Sunday. "I'm the quarterback of this team. I need to find ways to win the football game."
Thus far, Palmer has been unable to produce on the field and the Bengals might be in for a bumpy ride if he doesn’t start playing to his potential. As the leader of the offence, he needs to start making smarter decisions with the ball and be far more accurate
with his passes. At times, Palmer is late throwing the ball and adjusting to defensive schemes.
The Dallas Cowboys and their fallen stars
The Dallas Cowboys are a complete mess. There is no other way to describe what is transpiring to America’s team. After dropping the first two games of the season, the Cowboys have dug themselves quite a hole to begin their road to the Super Bowl. Sensing
that their backs were against the wall, Dallas came out swinging and earned their first victory against the Texans.
With a bye week, the Cowboys had two full weeks to rest up and concentrate on their next opponents, the Tennessee Titans. Both teams went blow for blow, but it was the Titans that were left standing tall last Sunday, as Dallas is now a shocking 1-3. This
is the team’s first losing record through four games since 2001.
"This is very hard to swallow right now," said Romo, who was 31 of 46 for 406 yards with three TDs in a 34-37 loss to the Titans."If you're a good enough ball club, you have to be able to overcome [adversities]. We haven't been able to."
The Cowboys have not been playing their best football up until now and their record is a clear indication of that. This is a team that was favoured to be in the Super Bowl. But questionable play-calling, costly penalties and the inability for the offensive
line to protect Romo are all key contributors as to why the Cowboys, a team loaded with Pro Bowl talent, have only been able to win one game this season. This is a team that is sinking fast, so they better find a way to turn the tide in their favour or this
might be a disastrous season for a team poised for greatness.
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