11/06/12: Cowboys chat with SportsDay beat writer David Moore

Happy to be with everyone today. Let's get started.

Think you have to start with the standings. Eight teams have a better record in the NFC. Six teams are better in the AFC. That's 14 teams right off the bat. Six teams have the same 4-5 record as the Cowboys. To me, you narrow it down to where you want to rank them among that group.

I would say that the Cowboys didn't beat themselves. I would say they had players step up at key moments and make plays, something that has been lacking for a large part of this season. So much focus has been placed on what the Cowboys must stop doing _ penalties and turnovers _ to win this season. In my mind, not enough focus has been placed on what they must do _ start making plays _ to win. You saw them make plays in Sunday's game.

It was clearly Claiborne's worst game of the season. But the fact we've gone nine games into the season before he made these sort of rookie mistakes shows how well he's performed. I'm also impressed with how he responded to his poor performance. He didn't make excuse. He acknowledged to the media he had a bad game and vowed to his teammates it wouldn't happen again. Much has been made of players taking accountability for their performance at Valley Ranch. Claiborne takes accountability and cares.

Valid point. But I will say I don't know of anyone who ripped Bryant for not having his fingers in bounds. He made a spectacular play that was inches from winning a game. Very few players would have put themselves in position to even make that play. Not sure why anyone would criticize him for that.

You will see some screen plays from time to time and I think you'll see more when DeMarco Murray returns. As for play action, you have to have an effective ground game to maximize the potential of that play. I'm not sure the ground game has been good enough or consistent enough this season warrant much play action.

He's been outstanding all season. But what he's done in Sean Lee's absence has really been impressive. Since Lee handled the play calling duties for the defense and did it so well, no one was sure how Carter would respond once he assumed those duties. Would the added responsibility slow him down just enough to prevent his talent from flowing? It has not. His performance has the Cowboys excited over the ceiling of this defense once Lee returns next season.

It's not often that we have a deceased, French industrialist take part in our chat. Welcome. This week's signing will likely be moving one defensive linemen from the practice squad _ either Ben Bass or Robert Callaway _ to the active roster to replace Kenyon Coleman, who is out for the remainder of the season after suffering a triceps tear. Sims has caught on very quickly and will continue to play even when Dan Connor returns. Peprah had a bust or two in the Philadelphia game, but I wouldn't be surprised to see his playing time increase.

I don't view it as a lack of confidence. I view it as defenses keeping their safeties back, forcing the Cowboys to execute play after play underneath, because they believe the Cowboys will commit enough penalties or mistakes during a 10 to 14 play drive to keep them out of the end zone. I also view it as the offensive line doesn't give Romo the time he needs to anchor in the pocket and wait for his receivers to come open deep.