In a season-ending countdown, we'll weigh in on some of the pleasant surprises for the Rangers in what was arguably the most disappointing season in franchise history.

No. 3: Shawn Tolleson, RHP

2014 stats: 3-1, 2.76 ERA, 69 strikeouts, 28 walks, 71 2/3 innings pitched

Tolleson quietly became one of the Rangers' best relievers this season, and possibly their best considering his production and his extensive workload. The Allen native was brought on board from the Los Angeles Dodgers and by the time the season ended, he was a high-leverage bullpen arm who was one of a few guys used in a setup role for closer Neftali Feliz.

He comes back in 2015 as part of a unassuming, yet pretty formidable looking bullpen which will also regain the services of Tanner Scheppers, and he'll be competing for those high-leverage seventh- and eighth-inning roles in front of Feliz.

Previous entries: No. 9 Leonys Martin, No. 8 Nick Martinez, No. 7 Roman Mendez, No. 6 Young Outfielders, No. 5 Neftali Feliz, No. 4 Colby Lewis

In what is assured to be some of sport's greatest theater, the Kansas City Royals and San Francisco Giants will play a decisive Game 7 to decide the 2014 World Series once and for all, and folks around here might not want to remember the last Game 7 in a World Series.

That's because it came three years ago Tuesday when the St. Louis Cardinals completed a comeback from down 3-2 to the Texas Rangers, using a dramatic Game 6 comeback in extra innings. On Tuesday night in Kansas City, there was no drama as the Royals skunked the Giants in a 10-0 win to force Game 7.

There is nothing better than a Game 7 in the World Series because you know there's no tomorrow — only next April. So Madison Bumgarner tossed a complete game in a Game 5 win? So what, you can rest assured he'll pitch Wednesday night for the Giants if needed.

And something fans of both teams should consider: While that game was just three years ago, a quick glance at the Rangers' lineup from that night shows just two regulars who are still on the roster in Elvis Andrus and Adrian Beltre. Everyone else is gone. So enjoy it while you can, Royals and Giants fans. You never know how quickly things can change.

There was no one questioning the Texas Rangers' decision to go get Cliff Lee back in July 2010 from the Seattle Mariners, but with that said, there was some sadness in the fact that the Rangers had to give up one of their top prospects to get the ace pitcher they'd long coveted.

That's because the Rangers gave up their first baseman of the future in Justin Smoak, who immediately became the Mariners' first baseman of the future after the trade. That never worked out, and of course Lee helped pitch the Rangers to their first AL pennant after pitching the do-or-die Game 5 in complete-game fashion to lift the Rangers to their first postseason series win in club history.

On Tuesday, Smoak's tenure in Seattle was finished as he was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays.

Smoak batted .202 with 13 doubles, seven homers and 30 RBIs in 2014, after hitting a career-high .238 last year. He spent much of 2014 in the minors after losing the starting first base job to Logan Morrison. I think you can safely say the Rangers won that deal.

In an ongoing series, we'll take a look at possible free-agent and trade targets for the Texas Rangers this winter.

Target: Cole Hamels, LHP

2014 stats: 9-9, 2.46 ERA, 198 strikeouts, 59 walks, 204 2/3 innings pitched

This might seem like a pipe dream, but there could be something to it. The Philadelphia Phillies have made it known they could be looking to move Hamels this offseason to look to clear his giant salary off their books and start the rebuilding process, one that will take at last a few years.

At age 30, Hamels could still get a big return for the Phillies, while all of their other bad contracts (and there are a lot of them) wouldn't do the same. Hamels is basically a lock to log 200 innings per year and would easily fit into the top of the Rangers' rotation right behind Yu Darvish and just ahead of Derek Holland.

Hamels is still owed a ton of money through 2018 and could very well vest his option for 2019 if he continues to produce like he has been. The Rangers have the prospects to get a deal like this done, and could possibly even do it without parting ways with a top prospect like Joey Gallo or Jorge Alfaro, which you'd hope they wouldn't do for a pitcher on the decline in terms of age.

Is it likely this gets done? No, but keep this in mind: Hamels has a 20-team no-trade list in his contract, and the Rangers are not one of his forbidden trade partners. That, in itself, is nothing but promising.

Obviously, Jerry Jones wasn’t the happiest of campers on Monday night.

His Dallas Cowboys dropped a home game to the rival Washington Redskins--a 2-5 team going in, starting their third third string quarterback, Colt McCoy--and, beyond that, they lost defensive captain Justin Durant for the season with a torn biceps and saw Tony Romo’s immediate future thrown into doubt by a big hit to his surgically repaired back in the third quarter.

Jones was happy, however, with the team’s attitude after the defeat.

“I think that we all knew going into the game that every game and every series impact the psyche of the team,” Jones told 105.3-FM The Fan this week, via the Dallas Morning News. “I will tell you, after the game, this team had the attitude that you wanted to see. It was mad as all get out, the team in general, everybody. They were just as mad at themselves, mad at each other, just mad, because we felt like we were at home and should’ve ended up with a win.

“We know we’ve got challenges ahead. We said that last week when we were 6-1. If this season is like all of them are, we’re going to have some serious challenges as we move forward, and we’re going to miss having not won that game, there’s no question about it.”

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The Dallas Cowboys have placed linebacker and defensive captain Justin Durant on injured reserve with a torn biceps suffered in Monday night’s overtime loss to the Redskins, officially ending his season. He will be replaced on the roster by journeyman linebacker Tim Dobbins.

Obviously, this is a huge blow for the Cowboys’ defense. His leadership aside, through the first half of the season, Durant led the team in tackles with 49.

“He’s in the top three or four performers we’ve had on defense this year,” said owner and general manager Jerry Jones, per the Dallas Morning News.

This isn’t a surprising move, but it comes just a day after head coach Jason Garrett told reporters that the team wasn't ready to declare Durant's season done.

“We’ll continue to evaluate him and see what his situation is going forward,” Garrett said Tuesday. “It’s a serious injury. There is no question about that. We’ll sort out how much time is left in the season and what the options are. No reason to make any rash judgment right now. We’ll kind of let the chips fall a little bit and then make the best decision for him and for our team.”

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For the second time in three weeks, a key piece of the Dallas Cowboys’ rebuilt offensive line is dealing with an injury.

Left guard Ronald Leary suffered a groin injury in Monday night’s overtime loss to the Washington Redskins and his status for this week’s matchup with the Arizona Cardinals is unclear at the moment, according to head coach Jason Garrett.

“The X-rays were negative, meaning they’re positive for us,” Garrett said, per the Dallas Morning News. “So we’ll just see how he is. Obviously when you play an offensive line position, having full groin strength is important, your ability to have power and explosiveness. So we’ll see how he is [Wednesday].”

On Monday, Leary was replaced by Mackenzy Bernadeau, last year’s starter at the right  guard position. The Cowboys were already down a starter against Washington, as Doug Free was held out with a fractured foot. There’s a chance Free could return against the Cardinals.

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Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Henry Melton stood out as a bright spot in the team’s upset loss to the Washington Redskins on Sunday night, after showing flashes in his first seven games with the team.

"Henry did a good job in the game,” said head coach Jason Garrett, per Jean-Jacques Taylor of ESPN Dallas. “He showed up, maybe as much as he had all year. He seemed to be really active. He's playing more and more. He looked quick and fast and explosive and made some plays that made a difference in the game."

Garrett is right.

Melton came into Monday night with five tackles and a sack and a half. Against the Redskins, he had a season-high three tackles, two sacks and three tackles for a loss. Aside from the sacks, he hit Redskins quarterback Colt Mccoy twice.

"He has a lot of good traits. He's quick, he's fast, he's explosive and he's one of those guys who's always trying to get into space as defensive tackle," Garrett said of Melton, who is coming off a torn ACL, suffered early in 2013. "He seemed very comfortable out there. He's a very athletic guy. The health thing is a big factor in him getting back to being himself. The quickness and explosiveness off the ball allows him to play anywhere across the defensive line."

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After eight games, it’s clear that Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray needs to learn to know when to fold ‘em.

Murray fumbled for the fifth time this season on Monday night, just two short of his career total going into this season. Head coach Jason Garrett believes, for good reason, that the issue is the result of Murray not knowing when to stop fighting and just go down.

It’s a habit that Garrett is anxious to correct.

"Somehow, someway we have to communicate it better, drill it better and show it better," Garrett said, per Jean-Jacques Taylor of ESPN Dallas. "In DeMarco's case, this is probably the third or fourth one, where it's the end of the down, he's staying up and making yards and the third or fourth guy comes in rips it out.

"Understanding where he is in the play and getting down is important for him--and he does that a lot. When you carry the football as much he does, he has that circumstance happen 25 times a game. He makes a heck of a play, we're down to the 5-yard line and ball comes out. Obviously that can't happen."

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While we still haven't had official word on Tony Romo's MRI on his injured back, we do know the Dallas Cowboys quarterback will play again this season, at least that's what we're told by owner/GM Jerry Jones.

Jones told 105.3 The Fan on Wednesday morning that Romo's back injury is fairly significant but that he still has a chance to play Sunday against the Cardinals and will likely be a gametime decision. Jones added there is nothing medically or structurally wrong with Romo's back, and the injury isn't related at all to the back surgeries he's had in the past year. He said it will all come down to pain management and how much pain Romo can tolerate and still be an effective quarterback.

This isn't the first time that's been the case with Romo, who famously brought the Cowboys back for a comeback road win at San Francisco a few years back with a broken rib and a punctured lung. He did the same thing last year against the Redskins, playing with a back injury that ended up requiring surgery and forcing him to miss the next week's game.

Things could be different this year, however. The Cowboys are in a good position, and if Romo sits out Sunday, he could possibly not even make a trip to London the following week for a game against lowly Jacksonville. Then, the Cowboys have a bye before a game at the Giants.

If Romo sits out Sunday, it could set up very nicely for him to get a three-week break. if Romo can play Sunday, then that's great, but with the playoffs being a strong possibility for the Cowboys, it might be in their best interest to have him feeling good instead of playing through excruciating pain for the rest of the season.

Justin Durant is gone. Tony Romo is in limbo. And Josh Brent is … On his way?

Cowboys’ head coach Jason Garrett said Tuesday that, indeed, the suspended defensive tackle who killed a teammate while driving drunk is likely to begin practicing next week and travel with the team when it plays the Jaguars in London on Nov. 9.

Yes, it’s nauseating. But, yes, it’s also a reality.

Brent, suspended by the NFL, is eligible to play against the Giants Nov. 23.

“Well we've just got to see how he practices,” Garrett said. “Really, the big thing for him is just physical conditioning, and a big part of that is his weight. He’s done a good job of working to get his weight down, but that weight has to continue to come down. We really have hurdles that you have to go over with guys that are coming back from injury or guys who have been away. It’s working on the side, getting yourself where you can do metabolics, which is simulation of playing football, and then you go into practice, you’re limited and then you do more extensive work. He’ll go through that practice just like everybody else would.”

I don’t think the Cowboys should welcome Brent back into their family. But looks like we better get ready for it nonetheless.

A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.

From the reeling Rangers, into the heart – and onto the brink – of a World Series.

Yep, July 16 was a pretty good day for Jason Frasor.

The first man out of the Rangers’ bullpen for half of the baseball season, Frasor was dealt to the Royals when it appeared the season was lost and it was time to salvage and maximize some assets.

With Frasor becoming a free agent after the season, the move made total sense for Texas. The Rangers acquired reliever Spencer Patton, who went 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA, 25 strikeouts and only three walks at Triple-A Round Rock. But Frasor had a far more exciting change of scenery.

He went 3-0 with a 1.53 ERA for Kansas City down the stretch, then won the key Wild Card game against the A’s and won another in the ALCS. He’s appeared in three World Series games against the Giants, including a scoreless inning in last night’s 10-0 rout that set up tonight’s Game 7.

The series has certainly had superlatives, but not much drama. Amazingly, the margins of victory have been 6, 5, 7, 6 and 10 runs, with only Game 3’s 3-2 Royals’ win considered a nail-biter.

Tonight baseball will crown a champion. And it just might include a former Ranger.

A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.

On Deck will be here all season to provide you with everything you need to know (and a few things you don't) about every Cowboys game during the 2014 season.

The Opponent: The Cardinals are cooking offensively since the return of Carson Palmer from a scary nerve condition that looked to possibly be career threatening, but now all is good in Glendale. Larry Fitzgerald had his best game in ages on Sunday in the Cardinals' big win over the Eagles, and the Cardinals also sport one of the league's best defenses who enjoys blitzing. We all saw how that worked out for the Cowboys last week against the Redskins. The Cowboys will have their hands full in their quest to improve to 7-2 on the season.

Past Meetings: The Cowboys hold the all-time lead by a considerable margin, 55-31-1. The Cardinals have won the last three meetings between the teams — all in Arizona and two in overtime — but they haven't played since 2011.

Key Matchup: Cowboys OL vs. Cardinals Front Seven — We saw what happened against the Redskins when they blitzed the hell out of Dallas. Tony Romo got beat up. The Cardinals like to blitz, and they saw that game on Monday night, so you can expect more of the same. Of course, it's not all on the O-line. The Cowboys needs more help in pass protection from DeMarco Murray and tight ends, especially if the less mobile Brandon Weeden is under center instead of Romo.

Who's Hot: Larry Fitzgerald is still among the living, apparently, as he had his biggest game in a long, long time with a 160-yard output and a long touchdown reception when he outraced the Eagles' secondary and flashed some speed of old. Carson Palmer threw for 329 yards and two scores, and the Cardinals picked off Nick Foles twice.

DeMarco Murray continued his assualt on the record books with his eighth straight 100-yard rushing game to start the season. He rushed for 141 yards on just 19 carries and also racked up 80 receiving yards on five catches. Jason Witten had five grabs for 70 yards and a big fourth-quarter touchdown.

Who's Not: Patrick Peterson is one of the best cornerbacks in football and is destined to lock down on Dez Bryant for 60 minutes on Sunday, but he might not be available after suffering a concussion in Sunday's win over the Eagles. Michael Floyd, the Cardinals' new No. 1 receiver was held without a catch on Sunday.

The Cowboys defense had its worst game of the year thanks to admittedly subpar performances from Barry Church and Rolando McClain. Dez Bryant caught just three balls with an unheralded rookie corner on him the whole night and also dropped a key pass that would've gone for a touchdown before the Cowboys had to settle for a field goal.

Michael Jordan is trying his hand at social media, and he went all out for his first tweet Tuesday.

In the tweet, which was posted to the Charlotte Hornets official Twitter account, Jordan revived his legendary “I’m back!” announcement, which signaled he was coming out of retirement roughly 19 years ago.

“I’M BACK!” the tweet read, followed by Jordan clarifying that he's "just kidding" then “laughing out loud.”

I’M BACK! …just kidding LOL. Trying out social media for the first time and sharing my day with you. Ready? #MJTakeover

— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) October 28, 2014

The tweet comes on the opening day of the NBA season.

As the owner of the Hornets, Jordan, 51, posted a series of tweets with the hashtag #MJTakeover as part of a social media promotion.

Starting the day with coffee in my favorite mug #BuzzCity #MJTakeover pic.twitter.com/JAV7xazfQO

— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) October 28, 2014

Yes, it's really me doing this #MJTakeover pic.twitter.com/C7fa9EmZLB

— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) October 28, 2014

A day earlier, Jordan, who faced criticism when the Hornets played one of the worst seasons in NBA history, told ESPN that being an owner is very different than playing.

“You can’t impact the game. You cannot impact the game,” he said. “I played this game for a long time and I always took criticism in a way that’s going to make me better as a basketball player and I could affect the game per se. Here, I can’t do that other than talking to my other employees or coaches or players.”
 

Former baseball star Jose Canseco accidentally shot himself in the finger while cleaning what authorities say is a large-caliber handgun in his Las Vegas home Monday afternoon, police told NBC News.

Canseco shot a finger on his left hand, apparently unaware that a bullet was in the chamber, Las Vegas Metro Lt. Mark Reddon said.

"It was a serious hand injury," but not a serious medical injury, Reddon told NBC News. "There was nothing suspicious. There was no alcohol involved, just a misstep with a handgun."

Canseco began his long major league career in the 1980s playing for the Oakland Athletics, before going on to play for the Rangers, Red Sox, Yankees, White Sox and other teams.

He has admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs during his MLB career and after retiring also competed in mixed martial arts and boxing.

In a season-ending countdown, we'll weigh in on some of the pleasant surprises for the Rangers in what was arguably the most disappointing season in franchise history.

No. 4: Colby Lewis, RHP

2014 stats: 10-14, 5.18 ERA, 133 strikeouts, 48 walks, 170 1/3 innings

A quick look at Lewis' stats aren't too impressive. A deeper look shows his sub-4.00 ERA after the all-star break and a seemingly reborn pitcher after he finally recovered from his hip resurfacing surgery last year — a previously unprecedented procedure for a pitcher. Lewis' degenerate hip condition was finally better, and for the first time in his career, he claimed, he was throwing without pain.

With the newly pain-free delivery came a new motion altogether, as he no longer had to compensate. That means it took a bit for him to get used to his new body. But once he did, he was very much resembling the pitcher the Rangers had in 2010 and 2011, when in many ways he was the rock of the staff and is without question still the best postseason pitcher in club history.

It was hard to expect much from Lewis in 2014, and after his awful start that culminated when he allowed 13 runs in less than three innings early in the season, it seemed he was on his last leg and possibly out the door. But the Rangers stuck with him, mostly because they had no other option, and he worked out his kinks and ended up being a successful pitcher again.

It's still unknown if Lewis will be back in 2015 but all signs point to him signing another deal with Texas this winter.

Previous entries: No. 9 Leonys Martin, No. 8 Nick Martinez, No. 7 Roman Mendez, No. 6 Young Outfielders, No. 5 Neftali Feliz

In an ongoing series, we'll take a look at possible free-agent and trade targets for the Texas Rangers this winter.

Target: Mark Buehrle, LHP

2014 stats: 13-10, 3.39, 119 strikeouts, 46 walks, 202 innings pitched.

This one would take a trade, but it might be one the Rangers consider if the terms are right. The Toronto Blue Jays announced this week that Buehrle is on the trade block as a soon-to-be 36-year-old veteran. While his numbers aren't staggering, you won't find many pitchers in baseball more consistently solid than Buehrle, as he's eclipsed 200 innings in all of his 14 seasons as a starter.

He's owed $19 million next year, which is the final year of his contract, and any team trading for him would likely want the Blue Jays to pick a bit of that salary up, but even if it's $3-4 million, it could be a worthwhile deal for the Rangers to consider.

Buehrle would not only solidify the Rangers' staff as a strong No. 3 starter but he would also add yet another valuable veteran presence to the staff to go along with the likes of a possible Colby Lewis signing this offseason.

Mike Maddux has been one of the most successful pitching coaches in Major League Baseball over his entire career, whether it was with the Milwaukee Brewers or in his current tenure with the Texas Rangers.

But the veteran coach will officially be a free agent on Friday, when his current contract expires, and folks are beginning to wonder if he'll be back in Arlington for the 2015 season under new Rangers manager Jeff Banister. Maddux has been in Arizona working with the organization's young pitchers essentially since the Rangers' season ended last month, and it looks promising he'll be back in the Rangers' dugout next season.

Maddux, who has overseen the six best pitching staffs since the Rangers moved to their current stadium, has turned the Rangers' pitching staff from a laughingstock to a respected unit in his time with the team, has had discussions with Banister about next season and by all accounts, it seems the two sides seem open to working together. Maddux was also interviewed for the opening that Banister ended up filling.

"Jeff and I have had positive talks," Maddux told ESPN Dallas.

Brief, sure, but it's reassuring for Rangers fans to know that the two have had several discussions and they've all been of the positive manner because bringing Maddux back is a big deal for the Rangers' young pitchers, of whom several are expected to be key contributors in 2015.

Dallas Cowboys safety Barry Church was his own harshest critic following the team’s 20-17 overtime loss to the Washington Redskins on Monday night.

“I feel like I played my worst game since I’ve been a Dallas Cowboy,” Church said, per Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas. “I played terrible.”

Church, a defensive captain, has been with the team for four and a half seasons now. On Monday night, he was particularly miffed by a pair of missed tackles, not that he was alone in that regard. In fact, missed tackles were kind of an unfortunate theme for the defense, even from usually reliable players like Rolando McClain and Church.

“I missed two wide-open tackles out there, and there were just a lot of missed tackles on the defensive side of the ball,” Church said. “If we want to win and be the defense we want to be, we just can’t let that happen.”

Stay on top of the latest Dallas Cowboys news with NBCDFW.com. Follow NBC DFW on Facebook or have breaking Cowboys news sent directly to your phone with Blue Star SMS alerts. Text "bluestar" to 622339 (NBCDFW) to subscribe, text HELP for more info, and text STOP to end the subscription. Message and data rates may apply.Read more about it here.

Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett isn’t second-guessing the team’s decision to put Tony Romo back in the game Monday night after a he took a hit to he back that left him crumpled on the turf for several minutes and forced him from the game for a couple of series in the second half of the loss to the Redskins.

Romo went to the locker room to get checked out, and things didn’t look good. But he emerged a while later in a sort of less successful Willis Reed moment and was plugged back in shortly after that.

“If Tony is ready to come back in, you give him a chance to do it,” Garrett said, per Jean-Jacques Taylor of ESPN Dallas, “because he’s our quarterback.”

Owner and general manager Jerry Jones says the team was encouraged after looking at Romo in the locker room, which cleared the way for his return.

“I was very concerned, because he laid there as long as he did,” Jones said. “After we got him in here, we felt better about it. If he were needed, he told us he wanted to play.”

Stay on top of the latest Dallas Cowboys news with NBCDFW.com. Follow NBC DFW on Facebook or have breaking Cowboys news sent directly to your phone with Blue Star SMS alerts. Text "bluestar" to 622339 (NBCDFW) to subscribe, text HELP for more info, and text STOP to end the subscription. Message and data rates may apply.Read more about it here.

Since his dog won’t be involved Derek Holland should be OK, but hold your breath anyway. Because the pitcher who missed most of last season after falling down stairs after tripping on his pet is tempting fate again on Sunday.

Holland will drive the pace car to start Sunday’s NASCAR race at Texas Motor Speedway.

Obviously I’m half-kidding. Driving a 2014 Chevrolet Camaro around the track at around 50 mph is no big deal. But whether it’s doing impersonations in the dugout on TV during a World Series game or letting his dog beat him down the stairs, Holland just seems to find trouble.

And if the Rangers have any chance at regrouping in 2015 they must have the lefty happy and healthy.

So maybe, just to be safe, Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gossage can have Holland drive under the yellow caution flag?

A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.

Despite their shocking success this season, the Cowboys proved last night that they’re not good enough to be dumb.

There are times when they won’t physically be at their best, but head coach Jason Garrett and his team should always be on top of their game mentally. No excuses for the decisions that were made Monday night.

It was the perfect example of how you lose at home to a double-digit underdog: By playing dumb.

DeMarco Murray’s fumble was a mental mistake. After taking a pass from Tony Romo he bolted inside Washington’s 10. There’s good, and then there’s greedy. Murray got greedy, and that’s dumb.

Fighting for an extra inch at the end of a 36-yard gain, Murray was stripped and fumbled. It cost the Cowboys points. It breathed life into the Redskins.

But that was just the start of it.

The Cowboys’ success can be directly traced to their commitment to run the ball. Behind an offensive line anchored by three first-round draft picks, Murray is setting records and leading the NFL in rushing. The run has set up the pass, and the Cowboys shot out of the gate 6-1 because of it.

But last night, at the worst times, offensive coordinator Scott Linehan and head coach Jason Garrett misplaced that identity and suddenly – inexplicably – betrayed this team’s DNA.

Trailing only 10-7 but with quarterback Tony Romo in the locker room with a back injury, Murray ran 51 yards to the Redskins’ 6 and then another three yards to the 3. But on 2nd- and 3rd-and-goal, the Cowboys called plays for backup quarterback Brandon Weeden to pass. No way around it, that’s nonsensical. How do you know they were bad play calls? Because what do you think the Redskins were hoping? Please don’t keep running Murray because we can’t stop him. Played right into the enemy’s hands.

Both passes to Dez Bryant fell incomplete, and the Cowboys were forced to settle for a field goal.

Again, points left on the field. And more belief instilled into the Redskins.

Same unforced errors on the Cowboys’ final drive in overtime. Murray – who amassed 141 yards and 7.4 yards per carry on the night – gained eight yards on first down. But on 2nd, 3rd and 4th down Romo threw incomplete passes to secure the loss and reserve the dunce caps.

“We’ve done a good job of having balance in our plays all season,” Garrett attempted to reason after the game.

The Cowboys have grown into a better team. But last night was a stark reminder that they haven’t yet matured into a smarter one.

A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.

The Mavs will win 50 games. The Mavs will make the playoffs. The Mavs will win a first-round series.

Not the loftiest of predictions for a franchise that won a championship just three years ago. But, don’t look now, they haven’t won a single playoff series since hoisting the trophy in the summer of 2011.

Last year – despite losing a Game 7 in San Antonio in the first round – Dallas ended the season on a high. After missing the playoffs the previous year the Mavs pushed the Spurs to the brink of elimination, farther and harder than any other team on their way to another championship.

“That's over with,” Mavs’ head coach Rick Carlisle said during training camp. “I prefer to focus on the present and the future. We didn't win, so it was a failure. That's the way we view it.”

And instead of building upon that success, the Mavs decided to rebuild.

The Mavs tonight open the 2015 season where the 2014 playoffs ended – San Antonio’s AT&T Center – but you might be surprised at how much the team has changed.

Departing: Shawn Marion, Vince Carter, Dejuan Blair, Jose Calderon, Samuel Dalembert, Wayne Ellington, Bernard James and Shane Larkin.

Arriving: Tyson Chandler, Chandler Parsons, Raymond Felton, Greg Smith, Richard Jefferson and Jameer Nelson.

The Spurs will get their 2014 championship rings and unfurl yet another title banner tonight in San Antonio. If the Mavs can get productive minutes from Smith at backup center, they might wind up being good enough to push the Spurs again next spring.

A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.

After the Dallas Cowboys fell to the Washington Redskins in overtime on Monday night, playcaller Scott Linehan said he may come to regret not going back to DeMarco Murray on what turned out to be their final set of downs of the game. Murray had carried the ball for eight yards on a 1st and 10, but then the team ran three straight unsuccessful pass plays to end the game.

There was no such second guessing from Murray himself.

“No, it’s hard to run it when they have 10 guys on the line of scrimmage,” Murray said, per ESPN Dallas. “You can get a negative play or something bad will happen. Scott called a good game and we’re behind him.”

Murray finished the night with over 220 total yards, including 141 on the ground, his eighth consecutive 100-yard performance to begin the season.

“Whatever play is called, that’s what we believe in,” Murray said. “Scott does a great job at putting us in great position to make plays and they played it well and you have to give those guys credit and we didn’t put our best foot forward (Monday night).”

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Longtime Cowboys defensive tackle Jason Hatcher got emotional in his return to Dallas before he ever arrived at AT&T Stadium on Monday night.

“When I got in here it felt weird,” Hatcher said after the Redskins 20-17 overtime victory, per the Dallas Morning News. “Driving into the stadium, I replayed, reminisced, all the times I drove into the stadium, I got a little emotional. But at the end of the day I put it behind me. I knew what was at stake. We had to go win a ball game and I was ready to roll.”

Hatcher, who joined the Redskins as a free agent this offseason after eight seasons and a Pro Bowl with the Cowboys, did not record a tackle on Monday night. But he was feeling good after his new team shocked his old team, giving the Redskins their first back-to-back wins of the season.

“Absolutely,” he said. “Coming home and beating the team that you played so long for, but it’s all business. We came here to win the ball game. It wasn’t anything personal like, ‘Ah, I beat you.’ We came here to win the ball game.”

Stay on top of the latest Dallas Cowboys news with NBCDFW.com. Follow NBC DFW on Facebook or have breaking Cowboys news sent directly to your phone with Blue Star SMS alerts. Text "bluestar" to 622339 (NBCDFW) to subscribe, text HELP for more info, and text STOP to end the subscription. Message and data rates may apply.Read more about it here.

Dallas Cowboys passing game coordinator and playcaller Scott Linehan said after Monday night’s overtime loss to the Washington Redskins that he’ll probably regret not going back to the run on what turned out to be the team’s final possession of the game.

For those who have forgotten or repressed the memories of last night: After the Cowboys got a first down on an improbable throw from Tony Romo to Terrance Williams, they gave the ball to Murray on 1st and 10. Murray, who had run all over the Redskins all night, went for eight yards. It’d be his last carry of the night.

Three pass plays later, the Cowboys turned the ball over on downs to end the game.

"One of our goals was to use play-action on second down," Linehan said of that final series, per ESPN Dallas. "The whole idea was if it wasn't there, we were going to check down. I don't know what happened [to the timing of the play].

"I'm probably going to wish I had run the ball on the second play, but that's the way it goes sometimes."

Stay on top of the latest Dallas Cowboys news with NBCDFW.com. Follow NBC DFW on Facebook or have breaking Cowboys news sent directly to your phone with Blue Star SMS alerts. Text "bluestar" to 622339 (NBCDFW) to subscribe, text HELP for more info, and text STOP to end the subscription. Message and data rates may apply.Read more about it here.

The Cowboys just can't catch a break when it comes to their linebackers.

It all started in OTAs when Sean Lee tore his knee to shreds and is out for the season. Then, the career rebirth of Rolando McClain was put on hold with a groin injury, then the same applied to Bruce Carter. In that time, Justin Durant had emerged as one of the unsung stars of a surprising Dallas Cowboys defense that helped propel them to a six-game winning streak and a 6-1 record heading into Monday night's game against the Redskins.

McClain, Durant and Carter all started the game — the first time they'd all started together since Week 1 — but it didn't last long.

After leading the team with eight tackles on Monday night, Durant had to leave the game early with a torn biceps muscle, which likely will end his season. Durant's season ends after he'd been voted a captain by his defensive teammates, and now they must fill his void by either moving Carter to his side or replacing him with Anthony Hitchens.

"He's in the top three or four performers we've had this year on defense," owner and general manager Jerry Jones told reporters after the game. "He plays a key position, that weakside linebacker principally. That's a significant loss for us."

In a weekly post, we'll talk about where teams in the NFC East sit after each weekend of play.

1. Philadelphia Eagles (5-2) — Still not sure the Eagles are a better team than the Cowboys, but they sure looked it this week, dropping a last-minute loss to the one-loss Cardinals at their place, which is a really tough place to play. The Eagles have a leg up in the division standings thanks to their 2-0 mark against the division. Jeremy Maclin had a huge game on Sunday, which was a big positive sign for the Eagles after their No. 1 receiver had struggled recently.

2. Dallas Cowboys (6-2) — The Cowboys lost at home to the last-place Washington Redskins. The game went to overtime, but it really shouldn't have as the Redskins dominated the game thanks in large part to their blitz packages, which pestered the Cowboys' offensive line and pass protection throughout the night. Tony Romo missed two series, but he's lucky to be standing after being sacked five times and hit numerous other times.

3. New York Giants (3-4) — The gap between the Giants and Redskins lessened with the Redskins road win over the Cowboys, but the Giants are still a stronger team even though they didn't play a game this week.

4. Washington Redskins (3-5) — Maybe the Redskins found something in Colt McCoy, who nearly threw for 300 yards and had a big rushing touchdown in Monday night's win over Dallas. Or maybe it was just McCoy playing an exposed Cowboys defense?

Every week, we'll grade the Cowboys on the three phases of the weekend's game.

Offense: D

One bright spot: DeMarco Murray extended his NFL record for 100-yard rushing games to start a season to eight. But aside from that, it was ugly. Murray fumbled in the red zone, and it was a miracle the game even got to overtime after Tony Romo's fumble was somehow not recovered by the Redskins inside the Cowboys' 10-yard line in the final minute. Dez Bryant caught a touchdown pass from Brandon Weeden, but was taken out of the game otherwise as he was held to 30 yards on three catches by a rookie cornerback. The offensive line was abused all night long by the Redskins' blitzes.

Defense: F

The unit was finally exposed because the Cowboys didn't dominate the time of possession like they have all year. Washington was able to rack up 409 total yards, including 286 through the air from third-string quarterback Colt McCoy. Any time you let Colt McCoy throw for nearly 300 yards and score a go-ahead touchdown on a third-down quarterback draw, you're doing something wrong.

Special teams: B

I'm not giving any unit an A after a loss to the Redskins, but there were no big blemishes here. Dan Bailey was perfect, as always. Chris Jones was good, and the Cowboys' coverage teams were solid. Dwayne Harris hasn't had any big returns this year and was lucky to have held on to a punt he probably shouldn't have fielded in the first place.

Amid the euphoria of the Redskins' 20-17 overtime victory against the Cowboys on Monday, no one can blame quarterback Colt McCoy's exuberance following his exceptional performance. 

But when ESPN Deportes reporter John Sutcliffe attempted to interview McCoy, Washington senior vice president of communications Tony Wyllie forcibly pulled the quarterback away.

From Dan Steinberg: 

"No no no, we gotta go guys, we gotta go," Wyllie said, hands on his quarterback, attempting to physically move McCoy toward his destination. But there was resistance from Sutcliffe.

"No means NO!" Wyllie finally shouted, which became the seminal moment for people attempting to make late-night jokes on the internet.

NO MEANS NO https://t.co/Jojdz9tvma

— Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) October 28, 2014

The interview eventually took place.

Muchas gracias @ColtMcCoy for The interview

— John Sutcliffe (@espnsutcliffe) October 28, 2014

Wyllie explained the now-infamous moment to ProFootballTalk Tuesday morning. According to Wyllie, McCoy was needed in the locker room for a postgame speech from coach Jay Gruden. Sutcliffe had not set up an on-field interview with McCoy, but still attempted to speak to him. 

Wyllie told News4 he had nothing more to add Tuesday afternoon. "We were just trying to get the player into the locker room so he could hear the post-game speech," he said.

"The guy refused to listen about getting the player in."

Follow Adam on Twitter @AdamVingan and e-mail your story ideas to adamvingan (at) gmail.com.