Film Review: Romo Was Let Down by Receivers Andy Benoit puts two more Week 2 games under the microscope: Cowboys O vs. Seahawks D The Cowboys spent a majority of their time in base personnel, which can be limiting when your ground game doesn't get going. Seattle's front four is one of the toughest in football to run against. Tony Romo had a good, if not outstanding, game in terms of eluding the rush and finding his reads late in the play. He resets out of the pocket and keeps his eyes downfield extremely well. Romo's receivers didn't help him, though. Jason Witten had three very bad drops in addition to a few unsuccessful targets; Dez Bryant seemed ill-prepared to play; Miles Austin and Kevin Ogletree were outperformed by Seattle's physical defensive backs. Safeties Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas excelled; their speed and ferocity are big reasons Seattle's Cover 3 zones can hold up even when the pass rush doesn't get there. Seahawks O vs. Cowboys D The Seahawks played effectively with a lead. They did little in the first half but were able to control field position. In the second half, they outwitted the Cowboys by using more three-tight-end, one-receiver sets. They ran and, surprisingly, threw from these formations, which put some Cowboys defenders out of their comfort zone (see outside linebacker Anthony Spencer blowing his man coverage assignment on the 22-yard touchdown strike to tight end Anthony McCoy). Marshawn Lynch's energy and tenacity wore down Dallas's solid run defense as the game progressed. With several backups starting along the offensive line and quarterback Russell Wilson playing only his second N.F.L. game, it was a little surprising that Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan didn't make this more of a chess match. Ryan used a lot of basic zone looks with minimal pass rushers. Dolphins O vs. Raiders D The Raiders were stingy in the first half and sloppy - if not outright lazy - in the second. Reggie Bush danced east and west and flipped his speed switch to get into space. When Bush had to be physical, he was ineffective. But with Oakland's front four playing passively and its linebackers being predictably non-instinctive, Bush could operate on his terms. (A note: Raiders middle linebacker Rolando McClain, playing with a concussion, looked particularly stiff and upright. That's often been the case when he's healthy. McClain really struggled in change-of-direction on Sunday.) In the passing game, Ryan Tannehill exhibited good raw arm talent a time or two. Receiver Brian Hartline was his go-to guy - mainly outside the numbers on hook routes (something soft corners Pat Lee and Joselio Hanson had no answer for). The Dolphins did, however, struggle when the Raiders played two-man (man-to-man coverage with two safeties helping over the top). Also, Tannehill must learn to hang in the pocket longer and allow plays to develop. Raiders O vs. Dolphins D Miami's defensive line was simply too big and strong for Oakland's offensive line. That's all it took - the Raiders never had a chance. The Dolphins overpowered their zone-blocking. Defensive tackle Paul Soliai was especially dominant. They constantly forced Darren McFadden into heavy traffic on the edges. An eighth defender in the box and a a smooth-flowing linebacking crew eliminated McFadden's cutback lanes on the backside. In the passing game, guards Cooper Carlisle and Mike Brisiel couldn't hold ground against bull-rushers. Backup right tackle Wade Smith played too tall and also gave up ground. Every Dolphins defensive lineman, including intriguing undrafted rookie Derrick Shelby and seventh-round rookie Kheeston Randall, took advantage. As a result, Carson Palmer, never found a rhythm. E-mail andy.benoit@nfltouchdown.com