FORT WORTH -- Discussions about the best offensive lines in the NFL this season start with the Dallas Cowboys.
That elite O-line, however, had by far its worst performance in its previous meeting against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Running back DeMarco Murray didn’t find much room in that Thanksgiving loss, finishing with a season-low 73 yards on 20 carries. Quarterback Tony Romo felt a lot of pressure in the pocket, getting sacked four times. The Cowboys scored a season-low 10 points.
How did such a dominant offensive line get physically whipped by Philadelphia’s front seven?
“We just weren’t ourselves the way we played that game,” Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith said during a Tuesday morning visit to Cook Children’s Medical Center. “There are just things we’ve got to clean up, technique things we’ve got to clean up and play as one.”
The Dallas offensive line rebounded by playing to its high standard in last week’s win over the Chicago Bears. Murray rushed for a season-high 179 yards and a touchdown on 32 carries. Romo was sacked only once while completing 21-of-26 passes for 205 yards and three scores.
Suffice to say that it’s fine with Smith that the Cowboys get to face Philadelphia again so soon, meeting the Eagles on Sunday with control of the NFC East race at stake.
“It’s always good to play that team again,” Smith said, “and for us just kind of get back to where we are.”