Instant Analysis, Game Balls, Key Stats: Cowboys 47, Washington 16

The Dallas Cowboys closed out Week 17 with a 47-16 beatdown of the divisional rival Washington, that was ultimately meaningless.

And with that, it was over. The book closed on perhaps the most disappointing Dallas Cowboys season in recent memory, as a year that began with seemingly very real Super Bowl aspirations ended with an 8-8 record and no playoffs.

The Jekell and Hyde performances continued, as Dallas again thrashed an inferior opponent 47-16. It was all for naught however, and perhaps was the final note of the Jason Garrett coaching era.

It was over when . . .

. . . Michael Gallup’s second touchdown reception of the game put the Cowboys up 37-16. It was nearly simultaneous with an Eagles touchdown that put them ahead by two scores in the fourth quarter, on their way to winning the division by beating the New York Giants.

Game balls

WR Michael Gallup

The second-year receiver recorded his fourth. fifth, and sixth TD receptions of the season, capping out a promising 2019 for the former third round pick. Each of Gallup’s touchdowns were uniquely inspiring: a 4-yard toe-tapping pirouette, some insane body control to absorb a hit and then scamper 32-yards down the sideline, and a slick route to get behind the defense and find a seam.

This season, Gallup and Amari Cooper combined to be the first pair of 1000-yard receivers in Dallas since Dez Bryant and Jason Witten in 2012.

RB Ezekiel Elliott

Forever Hungry Ezekiel Elliott ran for 122 yards on the ground, giving him seven 100+ yard rushing games in 2019. He scored two total touchdowns, including his second receiving touchdown of the season, off some nice improvisation with Dak Prescott. Elliott finished the season with 1,357 rushing yards.

LB Jaylon Smith

Jaylon Smith was extremely active, finishing with eight total tackles (six solo, one for loss) and the first interception of his career. It may not have been the season many were expecting  from this Dallas defense, but the talent is clearly there for whatever the future may hold.

Key Stat: +113

The 2019 Dallas Cowboys finished the season with a +113 point differential, a mark that typically belies a playoff-bound team. It’s actually a depressingly impressive feat that Dallas was able to put up stats like these, yet still win only 8 games.

Quick Hits:

  • The Cowboys defense recorded turnovers on their first two series, as Smith’s interception was followed by Malcolm Smith forced fumble on Adrian Peterson (recovered by Xavier Woods). Smith’s presence may not have saved this season, but the former Super Bowl MVP definitely made an impact in the two games he played.
  • DE Robert Quinn notched another sack, giving 11.5 to lead the team. It was also the second-highest sack total Quinn’s recorded in a single season. A free agent at the end of the season, it’ll certainly be interesting to see whether the Cowboys decide to bring him back after a successful season.
  • Before Elliott’s second quarter touchdown reception, Kai Forbath had scored the 15 straight points for Dallas dating back to Week 16. Forbath stayed perfect as a Cowboy, hitting all four of his field goal tries to finish 10 for 10 in four games after taking over for Brett Maher.
  • Montez Sweat was guilty of some Mississippi State Bulldog on Bulldog crime. The 26th overall pick of the 2019 draft had a big game, sacking Prescott twice and forcing a fumble. Sweat finished with seven sacks as a rookie, making things real interesting for Washington with the second overall pick, who’ve gone defensive line-heavy with their last several first-round selections.
  • After recording only 126 receiving yards in his last three games, Amari Cooper totaled 92 in the season finale. 48 of the them came on a free play in the second quarter, setting up the Cowboys’ first touchdown of the game. Cooper also took a reverse for 6 yards. his first and only rushing attempt of this season. What the team ultimately decides to do with Cooper after his lackluster finish will be a major storyline this offseason.
  • With draft season officially upon us, Dallas will have the 17th overall pick in the upcoming draft.

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