And just like that, the NFL regular season is over. It went quickly, with the Sunday night finale providing some of the best football yet—and Skittles! The lull of a booth review and subsequent guessing-chatter reminding us all it’s been 100 years…and that poor clock management is one constant “mode” that can really do damage.
But what a season! And though there will be plenty to look back on in NFL 2019, few things—super analytical or just observational—will really be as enjoyable as this factoid:
SEVEN FAT GUY TOUCHDOWNS IN THE 2019 NFL SEASON. WE LIVE IN MIRACULOUS TIMES.
— Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) December 29, 2019
Wonderful times, indeed. And with that, for the last time from down in the trenches, here were the best offensive line performances I saw from Week 17. (A special thank you to everyone who has followed along, and a Happy New Year!)
5. Dallas Cowboys
So, the Cowboys won—impressively—in Week 17. But it was against the Redskins, and it didn’t matter. That’s just the NFC East in 2019. Jerry’s group will go down as one of the more underachieving teams in NFL lore, a collective bunch loaded with talent on both sides of the ball that was overshadowed by head coach rumors/headlines and punts in odd situations. (I don’t think Zeke jumped in the Salvation Army bucket once! What gives, man?!)
Anyway…
Setting the controversy piñata aside for a moment, let’s give the Cowboys’ offensive line its rightful applause. A standing-O! All season, the front was an above-average group, with plenty of positives to build on for next season’s run. And the sturdy efforts were on full display Sunday. Other than a few penalties and a sack/forced fumble at the doing of Matt Ioannidis, the Cowboys’ O-line opened the running lanes for Elliott’s big day on the ground, while giving Dak Prescott enough time in the pocket to simply wait for the defense to break down in coverage.
Gall(𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙮)UP for the TD! @Michael13Gallup | #WASvsDAL pic.twitter.com/Q2RaAi33dh
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 29, 2019
Fifth-best trench of Week 17: Travis Frederick, Joe Looney, Zack Martin, La’el Collins, and Cameron Fleming.