by Jeric Griffin
NFL Network Manager
Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

The Dallas Cowboys’ defense turned in a solid performance on Sunday with a 44-7 win over the Buffalo Bills. This unit has been better this season under new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, but raised its game another level against the Bills’ offense, the most efficient in the NFL entering the game. Three turnovers and only seven points allowed showed Dallas’ defense is ready to contend.

Ryan’s unit has been solid this season, turning in several bend-but-don’t-break performances against teams of all calibers. The Cowboys’ strong defensive performances have been overlooked thanks to late-game turnovers by quarterback Tony Romo, but that wasn’t the case on Sunday as Romo broke a Dallas franchise record by completing 88.5 percent of his passes.

With a big lead early, the Bills only gave stud running back Fred Jackson 13 carries, but he made the most of it by compiling 114 yards. However, his yards didn’t add up to points as the Cowboys intercepted Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick three times to go along with a DeMarcus Ware sack.

Finally healthy, Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman was all over the field on Sunday, recording three tackles and two interceptions, the latter of which he returned 43 yards for a touchdown for the game’s final score. Newman’s run help was beyond impressive and it reflected an excellent team effort by the Cowboys’ secondary in making tackles at the line of scrimmage; eight Dallas defensive backs had at least one tackle in the game.

The effort shown by the Cowboys’ defense was illustrated by linebacker Sean Lee, who recorded four tackles with a club-like cast on his dislocated left wrist. Lee even made a touchdown-saving tackle on Jackson by tripping him up with his cast.

The one-on-one man coverage by the Cowboys’ defensive backs was the best it’s been this season. Fitzpatrick placed balls perfectly where he thought only his receivers could bring them down, but Cowboys cornerbacks Alan Ball and Orlando Scandrick and safety Gerald Sensabaugh all knocked away excellent passes at the last second with superb man coverage. That has to be credited to Ryan’s coaching as Dallas’ secondary was the worst in the NFL a year ago.

The Cowboys gave up yet another 100-yard rushing day, but negated it with a stifling performance against the pass to beat the Bills. Ryan’s bend-but-don’t-break philosophy was never better illustrated than during Sunday’s victory. As many media members stated several years ago after Dallas got off to a slow start, indeed the Cowboys are finally ready.

Contact Jeric Griffin on Twitter @JericGriffin

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