…or at least that formula worked for the first week of the 2009 season, as the Cowboys defeated the Bucs 34-21 in Tampa on Sunday.

Dallas had concerns about the chemistry between quarterback Tony Romo and receiver Roy Williams entering the season. After releasing Terrell Owens in the offseason, the Cowboys were praying that Romo and Williams (whom the team acquired from Detroit in exchange for a first round pick last season) would develop a connection.

The Cowboys’ fears about the tandem were quelled early in the game on Sunday when Romo connected with Williams twice for 20 yards during a nine-play, 31-yard dive that ended with a Nick Folk 51-yard field goal. Romo also found Williams on a beautiful 66-yard touchdown pass early in the second half to give Dallas a 20-7 lead.

On the day, Romo finished with 353 yards on 16 of 27 passing and three touchdowns, while Williams caught three passes for 86 yards and a TD. Patrick Crayton had a productive day as well, as he hauled in four passes for 135 yards and also caught an 80-yard touchdown pass from Romo early in the fourth.

If Sunday was any indication of how the Romo-Williams pair will fair throughout the season, then the Cowboys have nothing to worry about. The same can’t be said for Bucs’ safety Sabby Piscitelli, who appeared to blow coverage assignments on both Williams and Crayton’s touchdown receptions.

Piscitelli struggled in coverage during the preseason too, although it’s doubtful that he’ll be replaced as Tanard Jackson continues to serve a four-game suspension. The three-year safety is also decent in run-support, so he’s not a total liability.

The good thing for Tampa’s defense is that corners Aqib Talib and Ronde Barber did well in man-to-man coverage today, which was a concern coming into the season because the two were used to playing in the Cover 2 scheme (especially Barber) under former coordinator Monte Kiffin.

Another positive for Tampa is that quarterback Byron Leftwich was effective in his Bucs debut and Cadillac Williams looked good while rushing for 97 yards on 13 carries (7.5 YPC) and one touchdown. Leftwich threw for 276 yards and a touchdown, and didn’t get sacked, which is impressive given that the Cowboys excel at getting pressure on the quarterback.

That said, new head coach Raheem Morris isn’t looking for moral victories. He has some holes in the secondary that Romo was able to exploit and given that the Bucs play in the same division as the Saints and Falcons (two teams with potent offenses), Morris has some work to do.