I know a lot of Cowboys fans are coming away from the game disappointed, but my questions is: Would you have taken a 5-1 record after six games before the season started? I’m betting almost anyone would take that one to the bank.

And, really, while a loss is disappointing, there were signs of encouragement. The defense was able to get some pressure on Brady, and the offense was able to move the ball pretty good once they got out of their regular first quarter funk. The big problem was that you can’t beat the Patriots if you are constantly lining up for 1st and 20. The penalties were as much at fault for the game as the secondary.

As for the secondary, I think its pretty good that they were able to limit Moss considering that Henry was not playing in the game and Newman is still not back 100%. In fact, Newman wasn’t even lined up against Moss for much of the game, so the defense was able to limit Moss using Jacques Reeves and help from the safeties.

Sure, none of that is enough to get the taste of defeat out of our mouths, but I think the Cowboys showed that, if there is another meeting between these two teams this year in that last game of the year, they can hang with the Patriots. The score doesn’t show it, but given a healthy secondary, they can make a game of it.

And, let’s be sure to give the Patriots credit. They are crazy good this year. Brady was dangerous without weapons, but with Moss and Stallworth, well, what’s a word for more-than-dangerous?

Still, 5-1 is 5-1. I’d have taken it before the season, so I can’t feel too bad about it right now.