GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Cowboys got home around 10 p.m. Sunday night and must deal with a distasteful 19-13 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. It's time to review with our weekly Stock Report of who played well and who didn't.
STOCK UP
Mat McBriar. The veteran punter responded to the challenge of taking on dangerous punt returner Patrick Peterson on Sunday. McBriar had his best game of the season with four punts inside the 20 and he booted five for 191 yards. His coverage unit got down field to put pressure on Peterson and he had a net average of 38 yards.
Dez Bryant. In the loss, Bryant finished with a season-high eight catches for 86 yards and one touchdown. He also had a 35-yard punt return called back due to a penalty in the fourth quarter. You can tell Bryant is playing with confidence and was a tough cover for the secondary on Sunday.
Jay Ratliff. Ratliff's line from Sunday: Four tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss and a quarterback hit. There are times we forget Ratliff gets doubled on most plays but in a game the Cowboys could have won, he was right in the mix trying to contain the run and put pressure on the pocket.
STOCK DOWN
Jason Garrett. The rookie head coach screwed up the game management in the closing seconds. He should have run one more play to get things closer for Dan Bailey for the potential game-winning field goal. Then he called a timeout with the game clock wounding down, but he didn't need to. His team lost its poise when it counted.
Running game. DeMarco Murray either misses Tony Fiammetta, defenses are stopping him or the offensive line is not making enough holes for him. Murray averaged 3.2 yards per carry Sunday. The 38 yards were his lowest as a starter. Cowboys need to fix this area quickly.
Orlando Scandrick. Two costly special team penalties. He was called for an illegal block in the back twice, the last time, negating a Bryant punt return ending deep in Arizona's territory. You could say when Scandrick bumped Michael Adams with his chest that Adams flopped. Still, the same penalty twice is bad.
STOCK UP
Mat McBriar. The veteran punter responded to the challenge of taking on dangerous punt returner Patrick Peterson on Sunday. McBriar had his best game of the season with four punts inside the 20 and he booted five for 191 yards. His coverage unit got down field to put pressure on Peterson and he had a net average of 38 yards.
Dez Bryant. In the loss, Bryant finished with a season-high eight catches for 86 yards and one touchdown. He also had a 35-yard punt return called back due to a penalty in the fourth quarter. You can tell Bryant is playing with confidence and was a tough cover for the secondary on Sunday.
Jay Ratliff. Ratliff's line from Sunday: Four tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss and a quarterback hit. There are times we forget Ratliff gets doubled on most plays but in a game the Cowboys could have won, he was right in the mix trying to contain the run and put pressure on the pocket.
STOCK DOWN
Jason Garrett. The rookie head coach screwed up the game management in the closing seconds. He should have run one more play to get things closer for Dan Bailey for the potential game-winning field goal. Then he called a timeout with the game clock wounding down, but he didn't need to. His team lost its poise when it counted.
Running game. DeMarco Murray either misses Tony Fiammetta, defenses are stopping him or the offensive line is not making enough holes for him. Murray averaged 3.2 yards per carry Sunday. The 38 yards were his lowest as a starter. Cowboys need to fix this area quickly.
Orlando Scandrick. Two costly special team penalties. He was called for an illegal block in the back twice, the last time, negating a Bryant punt return ending deep in Arizona's territory. You could say when Scandrick bumped Michael Adams with his chest that Adams flopped. Still, the same penalty twice is bad.