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After last night’s thrilling 18-16 Dallas Cowboys victory over the rival Washington Redskins, a lot of things are running through my mind. Here are some observations:

1. Let’s get this one out of the way right off the bat: those fans who were ragging on Dan Bailey at the start of the season need to take another look. Bailey is a HUGE reason why the ‘Boys are now 2-1. He has really come up “clutch” the past two weeks, including doing all the Cowboys’ scoring last night with six field goals–everyone of them very much-needed for the win.

2. Romo was simply amazing–playing with a rib injury, coaching the wide receivers, avoiding disaster from a center playing very poorly, throwing to inept backups, on and on. Romo has clearly accepted a leadership role on this team and has really stepped it up the past two weeks. There are those who will argue that it really doesn’t matter until Romo does it in the playoffs. While that is probably true, the team first has to make the playoffs, and wins like Romo has helped produce over the past two games can go a long ways toward getting the Cowboys into the post-season. I give Tony a lot of credit for back-to-back, gutsy performances.

3. The problem with center Phil Costa and the bad snaps has to be fixed IMMEDIATELY. What concerns me is the Cowboys had the same problem when Andre Gurode was the center, although not to the extent it happened last night. What’s going on here? Can Costa not hear the audiles, or is Romo too busy coaching inept receivers that he takes his eye off the football? Whatever it is needs to be examined and repaired.

4. Speaking of the wide receivers, Miles Austin is really hurting Dallas by being so injury-prone. Ditto Dez Bryant. Austin did not play at all against the Redskins because of that damned hamstring injury that never seems to go away. Bryant played but was clearly hurting. If the Cowboys can ever get Austin and Bryant healthy for an extended period of time, they will really be a threat. But, what about Kevin Ogletree? I can understand some of the younger Dallas WRs making mistakes, but Ogletree has been around awhile. There is no excuse for him not knowing the playbook or where to line up. Also, his fumble in the game was just ridiculous–you gotta protect the football.

5. Jason Witten is, well, JASON WITTEN, the best tight end in football. Period!

6. The Cowboys got somewhat of a running game going last night, thanks to Felix Jones, another injury-prone player. However, Dallas still sucks in short-yardage situations. The Cowboys should have been able to score at least a couple of touchdowns against the ‘Skins but failed to do so because of the terrible short-yardage performance. A lot of that has to do with a young offensive line, but come on! With first and goal from about a yard from the goal line, any team should be able to punch it in!

7. Dallas was better on defense with Terence Newman finally being in the lineup. Also, I give Mike Jenkins a lot of credit. He’s been injured most of the season but has continued to play pretty well. However, the Cowboys need to get Orlando Scandrick back from injury. Alan Ball has been doing a great job, but you can never have too many healthy cornerbacks.

8. The Rob Ryan defense shined last night. Demarcus Ware always receives a lot of credit, and he had another great game. With that said, the smartest move by the Cowboys on defense this year has been the decision to start Sean Lee at linebacker. The guy is not only playing well but having a Pro Bowl-like performance so far this year. Keith Brooking will be nothing more than a backup this season if Lee can stay healthy. Also, Anthony Spencer played pretty well last night and came up really big at the end by causing that fumble by the Redskins.

Bottom line: A lot of the Cowboys backups suck, but they have made just enough good plays to keep Dallas alive the past two weeks. However, Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions are coming to town. The Cowboys will not beat the undefeated Lions without a better outing than what they had last night. Plus, Dallas fans should pray for some healing for a number of key players.

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