The Cowboys came out to a quick 14-0 lead, but Doug Pederson dialed up the misdirection to confuse the Dallas defense. The struggles also a result of Leighton Vander-Esch’s absence with a neck injury and the Jaguars cut into the lead, making it 14-7 late in the first half.
Following the score, wide receiver KaVontae Turpin found a crease to spring a 38-yard return and give the Cowboys great field position. With less real estate to cover, Kellen Moore matched Pederson’s offensive message with some wrinkles of his own. After marching down into the red zone, Moore called a zone read which quarterback Dak Prescott took down to the 1-yard line, just a step from a score. Two plays later, Prescott went play-action and found wide receiver Noah Brown creeping near the offensive line for the third Dallas touchdown.
4️⃣ ➡️ 8️⃣5️⃣ for the textbook red zone play action TD! #WPMOYChallenge @dak @Nb_Eight5
📺: @NFLonFOX | #DALvsJAX pic.twitter.com/LoysPOPjUD
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 18, 2022
Amidst all the new additions and conversations at receiver, Brown continues his efficiency and has four catches for 32 yards in the first half. Prescott and the offense are running on all cylinders, and the Jaguars defense has no answers in the first half.