At the half: Meadowlands Misadventure as Cowboys trail big at halftime vs. Jets

At the half: Meadowlands Misadventure as Cowboys trail big at halftime vs. Jets

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - Remember when Kellen Moore was the "boy genius''? It seems so long ago.

For the second straight week, the Dallas Cowboys have been held without a touchdown in the first half of a game, here trailing the previously hapless New York Jets, 21-6. And yeah, this is a trend; Dallas' first-half points scored over the last three weeks: Against the Saints in what would be a loss, three; against the Packers in what would be a loss, zero; and today, in what is so far an embarrassment, six.

Dallas started the game without Tyron Smith, La’el Collins and Randall Cobb. Now the Cowboys have lost Amari Cooper (quad) after one series, and Dorance Armstrong (shoulder) is out and Anthony Brown (hamstring) is questionable. Also ailing, though: Cowboys pride, on both sides of the ball. In addition to only bhave been seing able to manage two long Brett Maher field goals, the defense gave up the second-longest pass play in team history (a 92-yard TD) to a Jets offense that heretofore had scored just nine first-half points all year.

Halftime adjustments? We shall see whether coach Jason Garrett and staff has that knack. Inspired play? We'll see if balls quit clanking off hands and tackles keep getting missed.