Well, that was difficult. I'm sure the Vikings must have felt slighted by all the attention and praise heaped on the Dallas Cowboys in the days leading up to their Divisional Round matchup. While the Cowboys came out strong with two good drives and a defensive stand, they were unable to sustain the effort. When the Vikings built a first-half lead, the tide shifted and overwhelmed the Cowboys.

Quarterback: D

The ice water that had been running in Tony Romo's veins was heated to boiling in this game. Early pressure seemed to rattle Romo, who fumbled three times and threw an ugly and costly interception that put the game out of reach at 20-3 going into the fourth quarter. Romo was feeling the Vikings pass rush even when it wasn't there. In a game that was getting out of hand, I would have liked to see him at least try to get Roy Williams involved, even if that meant forcing the ball a little. We saw Brett Favre put the ball up for grabs to let Sidney Rice make a play or two. Surely Williams could outwork a the much smaller Dontonio Wingfield for a catch or two.

Running back: C

Marion Barber's days look numbered. He's been hobbled off and on since a toe injury in the middle of the 2008 season, and he hasn't seemed the same since. Felix Jones is clearly the better back, and I'm not certain that Tashard Choice needs to be behind Barber on the depth chart. The Cowboys got some spark from Jones in the third quarter, but it was for naught. Choice's opportunities were limited to third down and one carry from the Razorback formation.

Wide receiver: D

Aside from some early action for Miles Austin, the receivers were unable to get anything going. While the pressure had a lot to do with it, the receivers weren't adjusting their options to account for the limited time to throw. All you had to do to understand the situation was to read Romo's words to Patrick Crayton after Romo's second half interception: "I don't have time." Roy Williams was targeted just once and wasn't happy about it. Please say your Cowboy prayers in hopes that we fans can be delivered from this albatross.

Tight end: C

Jason Witten missed a very important block on Jared Allen immediately after Flozell Adams left the game with a calf injury. It was a costly mistake, as Romo was blindsided and lost a fumble. Witten was solid in the running game and converted some first downs in the second half. However, as was the case all year long, he disappeared in near the goal line. Martellus Bennett chipped in a couple of catches and some good blocks, but much of the time he seemed to be receiving direction from Romo. There's no reason for a guy playing his 34th game as a Cowboy to be that confused about the play call. It's becoming evident why Bennett hasn't been more involved in the offense.

Offensive line: F

The best thing that happened for Marc Colombo during the game was an innocent-looking play that say Ray Edwards leave the field with an injured knee. It was a good thing that the injury slowed Edwards down because Colombo certainly couldn't. Colombo looked a little shaky against Juqua Parker last week, and Ray Edwards is in another class from Parker. Hindsight being 20/20, it might have been a better idea to start Doug Free in Colombo's place. Free looked very solid replacing Adams at left tackle. While Free's first play resulted in a sack due to a missed assignment by Witten, he quieted Allen for the rest of the game. Leonard Davis and Kyle Kosier looked very mobile getting out on outside runs, but they really struggled to handle Pat Williams and Kevin Williams. Middle blitzes over Andre Gurode still look like a winning play. Bottom line for this unit: too much penetration. Tony Romo never had a chance.

---BRIAN COOLEY.