“The break couldn’t come at a better time,” Owens said. “It will give us time to reflect.”

Not only reflect on the quarterbacking, but to reflect on some other problems.

Like the defense.

It allowed just 172 yards in a 13-9 win over Tampa Bay and came into Sunday’s game knowing that it had to win the game for the Cowboys.

But it allowed the Giants to take the opening kickoff and go 75 yards on 13 plays to score on a 13-yard pass from Manning to Kevin Boss. And it allowed the Giants to rush for 200 yards, 117 on 17 carries by Brandon Jacobs and 63 more on 12 carries by Ward.

Jones suggested that was because the offense couldn’t move the ball and kept the defense on the field too long. True, but linebacker Bradie James pointed out that it’s rare for a team to get three takeaways, as Dallas did, and still lose by three touchdowns.

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So Romo or no Romo, the Giants are the better team right now — Dallas, after all, lost to Washington and Arizona with him at quarterback. Yes, Brad Johnson threw two interceptions and Bollinger threw another — and all set up New York TDs.

Even the Giants noticed that these Cowboys are not the Cowboys that a lot of people — in Texas and outside of it — who during the offseason were given a pass into the Super Bowl.

“It’s funny. Everybody is putting the blame on Brad Johnson. This team had lost two games before Brad Johnson,” said Antonio Pierce, New York’s middle linebacker.

Romo will be back in time for the Cowboys’ game in Washington in two weeks. The Cowboys also get the Giants and Baltimore at home, and go to Philadelphia and Pittsburgh and get Baltimore at home.

Jones is right.

Romo or no Romo, just getting to the postseason will be a bonus.

NFL game stories Quick look at Week 9 games STEELERS 28, BRONCOS 10: Roethlisberger throws 3 TDs COWBOYS 20, EAGLES 16: Austin’s TD puts Dallas atop NFC East COLTS 20, TEXANS 17: Indy's 17th-straight regular season win  |    Video SAINTS 30, PANTHERS 20: N.O. now 8-0 for first time in its history CHARGERS 21, GIANTS 20: N.Y. loses 4th straight  |    Video BUCS 38, PACKERS 28: Rookie QB leads Tampa to first win  |    Video PATRIOTS 27, DOLPHINS 17: Brady-Moss connection thrives  |    Video CARDINALS 41, BEARS 21: Warner tosses 5 TDs  |    Video BENGALS 17, RAVENS 7: Cincy cements AFC North status  |    Video FALCONS 31, REDSKINS 17: Atlanta gets into scuffle, still wins TITANS 34, 49ERS 27: Young improves to 2-0 as a starter this year SEAHAWKS 32, LIONS 20: Seattle overcomes 17-0 hole JAGUARS 24, CHIEFS 21: Chargers cast-off Chambers can't save K.C. Byes: Bills, Browns, Raiders, Rams, Vikings, Jets