Cowboys' Injuries Mounting

Jason Witten (left) and other Dallas starters hope to be ready to go by next Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans. (AP Photo/Sharon Ellman)


The bye week couldn't have come at a better time for the Dallas Cowboys (1-2).

With multiple veterans banged up and missing practice this week, an extra few days of rest is just what the doctor ordered for a Cowboys team trying to get back on track.

Tight end Jason Witten, wide receiver Dez Bryant and left guard Kyle Kosier have all missed practice this week. Witten and Kosier are both dealing with sprained right knee's, while Bryant is dealing with a rib injury. Both Kosier and Witten were injured in last week's 27-13 win over the Houston Texans, while Bryant's injury occurred in the week one loss to the Chicago Bears.

Hamilton Returning To Lineup Soon

The Rangers' slugger is expected back Friday night, with some added protection, as Texas tries to close out the season strong. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

For the past 24 games the Texas Rangers have managed to survive, clinching their first division title in 11 years, without one of the best players in baseball. That will likely come to an end Friday night as center fielder Josh Hamilton plans to make his return to the Rangers' lineup with three games remaining before the playoffs.

Hamilton, who leads the Majors with a .361 batting average to go along with 31 homers and 97 RBI in 130 games this season, hasn't played since Sept. 4 due to a pair of broken ribs he sustained crashing into the center field wall against the Minnesota Twins. Rangers' manager Ron Washington believes the time off may have been a blessing in disguise and looks forward to going into the playoffs with the American League Most Valuable Player candidate.

"We will have a fresh Josh. ... He may come back and look like he never missed a beat," Washington said. "Just his presence back in the lineup will make a huge difference."

As shown in the above picture, Hamilton will have to wear an armor-like protectant over his broken ribs for the rest of the season.

Playoff Rotation Set, Wilson Struggles Against M's

The first three starters for the American League Divisional Series (A.L.D.S.) have been decided and one of the three, C.J. Wilson (above), struggled mightily Monday night against the Mariners. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Monday night in Arlington, the Texas Rangers (87-69) unveiled the 2010 American League West Divisional Champions banner.

That was about the only thing worth cheering about for the nearly 30,000 fans, including myself, that made their way to the Ballpark in Arlington on a beautiful night for baseball. The temperature at game time was about 70 degrees, which made fans comfortable as they watched the lowly Seattle Mariners (60-96) jump out to a quick, 6-1 lead.

Winless No More - Cowboys Rock Texans 27-13

Dallas avoids going into the bye week 0-3 with a dominant victory over Houston. Roy Williams (above) led the charge offensively, scoring two touchdowns in his best game (statistically) as a Cowboy. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

In a hostile environment, staring at a demoralizing 0-3 record going into the bye week, the Dallas Cowboys (1-2) responded with their best performance of the young season. The Cowboys showcased a dominant, ball-hawking defense along with a potent offense, both on the ground and in the air, during the course of a 27-13 dismantling of the previously undefeated Houston Texans (2-1).

"Our team came out and showed the way we can play," Cowboys' coach Wade Phillips said. "The little things that were missing for a couple of games, I thought we came through with. We played solid all the way around, made a lot of big plays in the game."

Big plays were the name of the game for a team that had next to none coming into Sunday's meeting with the Texans.

Playoff Bound

A turbulent regular season, both on and off the field, culminates with the Rangers first trip to the playoffs in 11 years. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

The Texas Rangers (86-68) are officially the American League West Division Champions.

While the Rangers have held at least a seven game lead for the majority of the second half of the season, it hasn't been a smooth ride to this outcome.

Texas has dealt with everything from an epic battle for ownership of the team during the majority of the regular season, to key pieces of the offensive in-and-out of the lineup. Even the projected ace of the pitching staff coming into the season, Scott Feldman, was demoted to long relief in an all-around up and down season. None of that mattered Saturday afternoon, however, as an alcohol soaked Rangers team basked in the success of a division championship - 11 long years in the making.

"It's a proud day in Texas," said Josh Hamilton, an MVP candidate who has missed the last three weeks due to a pair of broken ribs. "It's been a long time."

Bats Stay Cold - Rangers Lose 5-0

Texas takes another step back in the chase for a division title as Cliff Lee gets rocked, while Nelson Cruz (above) and rest of the offense manages only one hit against the A's. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

West coast pitching has not been kind to the Rangers.

For the the third straight game (fifth in the last seven overall) the Texas Rangers (84-68) have been held to one run or fewer in a nine-inning ballgame.

Oakland A's starter Dallas Braden (W, 10-13) shut Ranger batters down for eight innings for his third straight win against Texas. The loss drops Texas to 2-5 thus far on the 10-game road trip, and the Rangers' magic number stays at four as the losses keep mounting up.

"There's no obese lady in sight, and I can't hear any singing," Braden said.

Done Sleeping On the Rangers?

Texas had lost three straight games during this west-coast swing, but rebounded nicely, winning on a passed ball in the 12th inning to outlast the Angels. Jeff Francouer (above) celebrates after scoring on the passed ball. (AP Photo/Christine Cotter)

They say baseball is America's favorite pastime. Over the last few games (up until last night) baseball was my favorite sedative.

A combination of the late-night games with the fact that a playoff birth is inevitable for the Texas Rangers (84-67) had led me to complete apathy recently. Last night's affair wasn't exactly a thriller either, but I caught the end of the game so let's delve into a little bit of what has gone on over the last few days.

Austin Unfazed

The Cowboys wide receiver continues to excel, despite a discombobulated offense and a sometimes erratic quarterback. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

As the Dallas Cowboys continue to try to find some sort of identity on offense, one thing is clear: the Tony Romo-Miles Austin connection is firing on all cylinders.

Austin's production has been unrivaled through the first two weeks of the season. His 288 receiving yards leads the NFL by 85 yards, while his 20 receptions is tied for the league-lead. Combine these monster numbers with the fact that he has only one dropped pass and your looking at the best receiver in the game right now.

The 26-year old wide-out has been the epitome of consistency through two weeks.

Bears Maul Cowboys 27-20

Jay Cutler (above, doing the claw) picks apart Dallas D as a mistake-laden game dooms Cowboys to 0-2 start. (AP Photo/Sharon Ellman)

Another week, another disturbingly sloppy performance from the Dallas Cowboys (0-2). Turnovers, penalties, and the fact that the Cowboys struggled on both sides of the ball to compete with the Chicago Bears (2-0) led to a seven point loss in the season opener at Cowboys Stadium.

Rangers Lose Pitcher's Duel 2-1

Texas strands 11 runners, magic number stays at six. Mariners' shortstop Jack Wilson (above) broke a 1-1 tie with an RBI single in the seventh inning. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

For the second time in the last three games, a Nelson Cruz solo homer is all the Texas Rangers (83-65) have been able to muster offensively against the Seattle Mariners (57-92). Most recently, Texas was a woeful 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position Sunday afternoon as Mariners' starter Doug Fister (W, 6-12) pitched his way out of jams all afternoon. Fister allowed only one run in seven innings, despite allowing nine hits, and kept Rangers' hitters off-balance just enough to pull out the win.

Rangers Split Two With Mariners

Magic number falls to six after a couple of gems by two of the best pitchers in the American League. Felix Hernandez led Seattle to a victory Friday night, while Cliff Lee (above) continued to reassert himself as one of the best pitchers in the game with an eight-inning gem Saturday night. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

After scoring 22 runs in the two game set against the Detroit Tigers earlier in the week, the Texas Rangers (83-64) have found runs a little harder to come by against the Seattle Mariners (56-92).

Rangers Sweep Tigers - Magic Number In Single Digits

Texas extends Majors-best winning streak to seven with two game sweep of Detroit. The combination of Ranger wins/Oakland A's losses to make the playoffs is now eight thanks to a huge series from David Murphy (above) and the rest of the offense. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Josh who?

David Murphy continues to make life easier for the Texas Rangers (82-63), even with superstar Josh Hamilton looking on from the bench with ailing ribs. In the last two games against the Detroit Tigers (72-74) alone, Murphy went 4 for 9, belted two home runs and knocked in six runs.

On Second Thought...

The good, the bad, and the ugly, with a clear head, two days after an ugly opener. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

Some of you may have been wondering why I didn't post a full review of the Cowboy game Sunday night. My anger at the time would have prevented me from writing a clear and coherent article, so I knew I had to wait - and it took two days to cool-off.

Here are some of my thoughts 48 hours after the Dallas Cowboys season-opening stinker against the Washington Redskins:

The Good:

Miles Austin

The Cowboys breakout receiver from a year ago began Sunday night on a mission to prove that his monster 2009 campaign was no fluke.

The Game Barron/Choice - Cowboys Lose 13-7

Alex Barron (above, left) sealed the Cowboys fate with a sumo-tackle on a touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter, along with Tashard Choice, who spotted the Redskins seven points. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

What a way to open up a season.

The Dallas Cowboys (0-1) let every opportunity slip away Sunday tonight against the division-rival Washington Redskins (1-0).

In the end, a Tashard Choice idiotic improvisation with time running out in the first half, and a ridiculous Alex Barron holding penalty on a touchdown pass to Roy Williams with time expiring in the game left Dallas win-less after week one.

"We made far too many mistakes," quarterback Tony Romo said, "and we weren't able to overcome them."

Guess Who's Back - Rangers Sweep Yankees With 4-1 Win

Cliff Lee (above) came back and looked like the Lee of old, pitching into the ninth inning and taking the pressure off a fatigued bullpen. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

For the first time since 1996, the Texas Rangers (80-63) have swept a home series against the New York Yankees (87-56).

This game was more conventional than the previous two, however, as the Rangers used an excellent start from returning Ace Cliff Lee (W, 11-8) en route to a 4-1 victory.

"He comes after us like he always does," said New York Yankees' catcher Jorge Posada, who went 0 for 3. "He's a good pitcher who comes after you and puts the ball where he wants to."

Lee had a no-hitter into the sixth inning, retiring 15 straight batters at one point, and gave the Rangers eight innings of one run, two hit baseball.

Dallas Cowboys 2010-2011 Season Preview

Tony Romo (above) and the rest of the Cowboys look to make history this season by becoming only the first team in NFL history to play a home Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

The Dallas Cowboys open the 2010-2011 season looking to build on last season’s playoff win, the team’s first since 1996. Dallas, with the 24th overall pick in the draft, brought in wide receiver Dez Bryant; whom they believe is a key playmaker to add to an already explosive offense. Bryant, who’s been out the majority of training camp and all of the preseason with a high-ankle sprain, is expected to be ready for the season opener and could make a significant impact on offense. The top-rated receiver in the 2009 draft may be called upon to start if Roy Williams continues to struggle in his third season with Dallas.

On the defensive side the Cowboys finished last season boasting, statistically, one of the best defenses in football.

Rangers Rough Up Rivera For Walk-Off 7-6 Win

Nelson Cruz (above) celebrates after scoring the game ending run for the second straight game. (AP Photo/Ralph Lauer)

For the second game in a row, the Texas Rangers (79-63) have won in walk-off fashion against the best team in baseball. This time, the Rangers rallied to beat the New York Yankees (87-55) with two runs in the bottom of the ninth against a sure Hall-of-Famer in closer Mariano Rivera.

Game Of The Year - Rangers Beat Yankees in 13th

Rangers win marathon game thanks to two huge homers from Nelson Cruz (above). (AP Photo/LM Otero)

With one swing of the bat, Nelson Cruz may have erased much of the bad karma the Texas Rangers (78-63) have built up during the last month of the season against a likely playoff foe in the New York Yankees (87-54). Cruz smoked the first pitch he saw off Yankees' reliever Chad Gaudin to start the bottom of the 13th, straight over the right-center field wall and into the Rangers' bullpen for the walk-off win.

"We stood up there tonight, went toe-to-toe with those guys and got the win," Rangers' manager Ron Washington said.

Rangers Salvage Split - Win 4-2

Colby Lewis set 'em up, finally getting to 10 wins this season, and Neftali Feliz (above,right) knocked 'em down for his 35th save of the year. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darren Calabrese)

For the first time since July 16, Colby Lewis (W, 10-12) has won a start. After nine straight starts without a victory, Lewis gave the Texas Rangers (77-63) 6 1-3 innings, allowing one run on five hits while striking out eight batters. The offense finally stepped up and did it's job in one of his starts, thanks to Mitch Moreland - who knocked in a career-high three runs for the game - and Lewis was able to match a career-high with 10 wins.

"He's been pitching well, it's just been a string of bad luck for him, not getting the breaks when he needs them," Moreland said. "Tonight we were able to get him a win and get him back on track."

Rangers Snap Five-Game Skid - Crush Jays 8-1

The Rangers offense broke out, cranking out eight runs on 16 hits, while the much-maligned pitching staff regrouped and shut down the Blue Jays potent offense for seven innings. Nelson Cruz (above) led the way for Texas with a home run and two RBI for the game. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Frank Gunn)

After allowing a total of 15 runs over the last two games against the Toronto Blue Jays (72-67), the Texas Rangers (76-63) pitching staff tightened up Wednesday night.

Led by starter Derek Holland (W, 3-3), Rangers' pitching kept the Jays power-hitters off balance all game long. Holland pitched five scoreless innings, striking out eight, and got the win for the first time since May 17. The 23-year old lefty pitched quickly and allowed only three hits as he had no problem hitting every part of the strike zone against the Jays.

Home Run Barrage Continues - Rangers Lose 8-5

The Blue Jays hit four homers for the second straight game, led by Vernon Wells (above, center) who had a couple of solo shots of his own. Toronto leads the Majors with 211 home runs this season, 30 more than the next best team. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darren Calabrese)

The Toronto Blue Jays (72-66) continue to put on a hitting clinic against these Texas Rangers (75-63) during this series. Toronto has feasted on Texas starting pitching and next up on the platter was spot-starter Scott Feldman.

Rangers' Struggles Continue

The losing streak reaches four as Texas continues to be unable to put it together on this road trip. C.J. Wilson (above) was pulled after only 5 1-3 innings Sunday and the Twins won on a contraverial call, securing the series sweep. (AP Photo/Paul Battaglia)

It seems as though when it rains it pours for the Texas Rangers (75-62).

T & T - Thome, Tolbert Lead 12-4 Route Of Rangers

Twins' DH Jim Thome (above) hit two homers, passing Mark McGwire for ninth place on the all-time home run list, and drove in four runs as he and third baseman Matt Tolbert combined for nine RBI for the game. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

The Texas Rangers (75-60) are going to have a tough time winning on the road in the playoffs.

After a 12-4 beat-down at the hands of the Minnesota Twins (79-57), Texas still has a giant donut in the win column on the road this season against the three other likely American League playoff teams (Tampa Bay Rays, New York Yankees, and Twins). The Rangers are 0-11 away from home this season against these potential playoff foes, with only one road game (tomorrow against the Twins) remaining against these teams.

The trend continued Saturday afternoon, as Twins' hitters feasted on starter Colby Lewis (L, 9-12) and the rest of the Rangers' pitching staff.

Spot Starter Leads Twins To 4-3 Win Over Rangers

The Twins took the first game of the series, behind a strong first-career start from Matt Fox. Twins' closer Matt Capps (above) celebrates after closing out the game. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Facing a tired Minnesota Twins (78-57) team, the Texas Rangers (75-59) failed to capitalize, blowing leads of 2-1 and 3-2 en route to an opening game loss. The Twins, coming off a 13 inning marathon game Thursday night in which they were forced to play Nick Blackburn (Friday's scheduled starter), had to rely on Matt Fox - who was making the first start of his big-league career.

Rangers Split Final Two, Take Series From Royals

Cliff Lee wasn't up to snuff Tuesday night, but Mitch Moreland (above) and the Rangers rebounded Wednesday to take the final game of the series. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

The Texas Rangers (75-58) got all they could handle from the Kansas City Royals (56-77) in this series. After losing Tuesday's game on a bizarre, walk-off wild pitch, Texas bounced back - holding on for a 4-3 win against K.C.