Four keys to Sunday's game

GETTING WIDE: The Cowboys have had a difficult time involving their wide receivers in the passing game through four games. So far only 31 of Tony Romo's 76 completions have gone to Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton, Miles Austin or Sam Hurd. The Chiefs might be the perfect opponent to get the wide receivers going. Of the 77 completions the Kansas City defense has allowed in the first four games, 42 have gone to receivers. In their last two games the Chiefs have allowed two 100-yard receivers - Philadelphia's DeSean Jackson (6 for 149) and New York's Steve Smith (11 for 134). Crayton had 135 yards in the season opener at Tampa Bay but has not come close to 100 yards since. To take possibly mounting pressure from the running game, the Cowboys must get the ball on the flanks.

THIRD DOWN DIFFERENCE MAKER: In the last two games the Cowboys have allowed Carolina and Denver to convert just three of 18 third-down chances, a sparkling improvement over the first two games. And today the Cowboys face the worst third-down team in the NFL. Kansas City has converted only 9-of-51 tries this season, a woeful 17.6 percent. Coach Todd Haley said the problems have been on first and second down, but what the Cowboys have to improve on today is how many yards they allow on third down. On three third-and-17 or longer situation against the Broncos, the defense allowed 13, 17 and 8 yards. While they got off the field, they allowed too many yards to make an appreciable difference in field position. Against the Chiefs, they not only have to continue their third-down success defensively, but shut them down completely.

Remember Sean Ryan?

Since 2003, the Cowboys have drafted a tight end in five of the last seven drafts. Jason Witten has been to the Pro Bowl the last five seasons. Anthony Fasano, a second rounder in 2006, was traded last year to Miami and is the Dolphins' starter. Martellus Bennett was a second rounder in 2008 and is big part of the current offense though looking for his breakout game. The Cowboys took John Phillips in the sixth round this year, and he has been a good blocker and solid special teamer.

So who's the fifth guy?

He's Kansas City's leading receiver, Sean Ryan. A fifth-round pick in 2005 out of Boston College, Ryan was viewed then as a Bill Parcells' favorite because of his toughness and blocking ability. He was eventually traded to the New York Jets, spent time in Miami, New Orleans and played against the Cowboys last year as a fullback with San Francisco.

Ryan has 11 catches for 97 yards and two touchdowns for the Chiefs.

Roy Williams, Felix Jones left behind

Roy Williams hoped he would be able to play against Kansas City.

He didn't make it.

It's official: Williams (ribs) and running back Felix Jones won't play against the Chiefs. The two remained at home and didn't accompany the team on its charter to Kansas City Saturday afternoon.

Miles Austin will start in place of Williams.

Cowboys roster move

Doubt if this will alter your viewing experience of the Cowboys game Sunday, but the club did make a roster move to prepare for its game with Kansas City.

Running back Chauncey Washington _ picked before the Denver game, played on special teams, was released Monday then picked back up again _ was signed from the team's practice squad. Backup center Duke Preston was released to make room for him.

Washington had one special teams tackles against the Broncos.

Jerry Jones might fire Wade Phillips, but it ain't happening until January

No matter what happens the rest of the season, Jerry Jones isn't firing Wade until the season is over.

If you can find odds in Vegas, then bet the house.

Fundamentally, Jerry doesn't believe in firing coaches in the middle of the season. He doesn't believe interim coaches work, and he thinks it's too disruptive to be effective.

Besides, Jerry wouldn't fire Wade until the Cowboys were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. By the time that happens, it'll be so late in the season, Jerry might as well just wait until the season ends.