Things aren’t going well for the Rams, and the Dallas Cowboys exploited that demise with a 35-7 thrashing that was worse than the score indicated. Both teams got off to a slow start and were a bit rusty in the first half, but then they went in opposite directions after half time.

The Cowboys still have some rattling noises and leaks to address, but overall they are turning into a smooth-running machine that is becoming lethal to opponents. The Rams provided a much-needed honing time for the offense and defense as they prepare for a tougher part of the schedule coming up with an away game in Buffalo on Monday night, New England, Minnesota, and then divisional match-ups on the road vs. Philly and NY.

Tony Romo continued his ascension to being part of Cowboys lore with another outstanding performance. His electrifying 33-yard run from behind the line of scrimmage after a botched snap reminded many of Roger the Dodger. Yes, he may not have been able to do that against New England…..but they weren’t playing New England. In all honesty, Romo still has experiences to accomplish before being considered in the upper echelon of NFL quarterbacks, but he’s on the fast track.

The Dallas defense was facing a battered and inexperienced O-line along with a hurting QB in Marc Bulger, but they also improved and matured as they began to look like the unit that Phillips was brought in to construct. This makes 3 out of 4 QB’s in the first four weeks of the season that the Dallas defense has played a role in inflicting some serious pain or sent them to the bench the following week.

NY’s Eli Manning was slammed to the turf and separated his shoulder and somehow has found a way to play since then to post a 2-1 record the last three games, but I think the jury is still out on how he overcomes everything that he’s experiencing there in the Big Apple. Chicago benched Rex Grossman after week 3 and is now trying the Brian Griese Experiment while Marc Bulger got benched this past week in favor of the much-traveled and often-forgotten Gus Frerotte despite the fact that much of this move was due to his broken ribs.

This Dallas team is looking very good and just keeps getting better but, as Coach Phillips brought up, you have to be careful and not let over-confidence and looking ahead creep in and play with your minds.