The Dallas Cowboys are readying to play the toughest game of the season, but the way quarterback Dak Prescott has been playing makes anything seem possible.
The passing attack has been all the rave this season in Dallas, and it’s reaching a fever pitch. Contributions are pouring in from all levels of the field and several different players that the offense is a unit that has only been stopped by itself. Despite the win, not everything is looking up in Dallas, in particular the defense that continues to struggle to hold up their end of the bargain.
At the end of the day, it’s just a game, and once in awhile there’s something to remind everyone of exactly that. In this case, it’s wide receiver Michael Gallup who performed at a high level with a heavy heart.
Making sense of the 2019 NFC playoff race: Eight good teams for six spots :: ESPN
As it stands, the Cowboys are atop the NFC East and, if that lead holds, a playoff spot. There’s little room for error due to earlier miscues leaving them with only one realistic route to meaningful January games. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell gave quarterback Dak Prescott some well-deserved kudos while breaking down the future prospects of the team.
Dallas Cowboys (6-4)
Chance to make the playoffs: 71%
If the season ended today: 4-seed, vs. Seahawks
There’s a four-quarterback MVP race right now by Total QBR. Four passers have posted a QBR between 77 and 79, and the signal-caller with the most volume of those four is Dak Prescott. It’s time to stop pretending that the Cowboys run their offense through Ezekiel Elliott or that Prescott needs his star running back to create throwing opportunities. This is Dak’s offense, and the Cowboys are a better team for it.
–TT
Gallup says departed brother helped on circus catch: ‘He was right there with me’ :: Cowboys Wire
On the one year anniversary of learning of his brother’s death, wide receiver Michael Gallup played beautifully on Sunday against the Detroit Lions. It’s impossible to abbreviate in this section everything that needs to be said about a situation that’s bigger than football. Click through to read more.
–TT
Anthony Brown’s season is over, Cowboys CB to have surgery :: Cowboys Wire
The 2019 season hasn’t been kind to Brown, who is set to become a free agent following the campaign. He’s already missed some time with a back injury, lost snaps to his replacement Jourdan Lewis and now will need to have arm surgery ending his season.
There’s some good news in this article, as the prognosis for La’el Collins knee injury from Sunday’s game is a bit more positive and hopeful.
— KD
3 things we learned from Cowboys-Lions, including how Dak Prescott put together another MVP performance :: DMN
John Owning checks in with his weekly film study of the Cowboys game and focuses on Prescott’s evolution with using multiple delivery angles, specifically on the screen pass touchdown thrown to Ezekiel Elliott.
At 6-foot-2, Prescott isn’t considered a short QB, but he certainly isn’t a towering one either as he doesn’t possess the height necessary to stand tall in the pocket and make throws regardless of the position of the defenders at the line of scrimmage. This means he must rely on his feet and arm angles to take advantage of throwing lanes and alleys that present themselves.
The fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Elliott was a great example:
— All22Hype (@All22Hype) November 17, 2019
Elliott will rightfully be lauded for making a tough catch here, but it was also an excellent example of Prescott fitting a pass around a defender thanks to an alteration of his arm angle.
— KD
The Morning After: Defense still lacks sharpness, but Cowboys’ offensive showcase demonstrates growth :: The Athletic
Dak Prescott is really, really good. On a day where some usual suspects went missing and the defense and special teams were lackluster at best, Prescott saved the day. The Cowboys offense continues to be at its best when the ball is in his hands and Bob Sturm notes here it seems as if the brain trust in Dallas has figured that out.
–TT
A Cowboys defense that still believes it can be great was left frustrated with its effort against the Lions :: Dallas Morning News
The Cowboys defense was supposed to be a weapon in 2019, but have been a liability more often than not. Against the Lions, they had the good fortune of playing against a backup quarterback, and made him look not only passable but downright dangerous at times.
–TT
Dak Prescott in rare air: ‘The best football I’ve ever seen him play’ :: Cowboys Wire
Every time Prescott accomplishes something at a high level the goal posts are moved and he has to do it again, only better. This year he’s been doing it with ease and in the last month, he’s caught fire. It’s not gone unnoticed by his teammates and coaches who recognize he’s the best he’s ever been.
–TT
Five observations from Cowboys’ win in Detroit: Run game still a problem, but Dak can carry Dallas :: The Athletic
Amari Cooper is the best receiver on the Cowboys roster. He’s one of the best in the league. But when he was ailing Sunday, his receiver room buddies Michael Gallup and Randall Cobb were more than capable of carrying the load. A struggling run game and defense round out the rest of the notes from Jon Machota.
–TT
Fantasy Playbook: The Lottery-Ticket Running Backs Worth Taking a Chance On :: The Ringer
Tony Pollard is getting some love in fantasy football circles and not just as a lottery ticket and contingency in the case of injury to Ezekiel Elliott. The rookie back shows his worth every time he gets playing time on the field.
Ezekiel Elliott and his $90-million contract remain the foundation of the Cowboys ground game, but Pollard (12 percent) showed in the team’s 35-27 win over the Lions that he is a dynamic runner who comes with the versatility to line up in the backfield or as a de facto receiver from the slot and outside. The rookie fourth-rounder finished the day with two carries for 12 yards while adding four receptions for 44 yards and a score through the air, netting 17.6 PPR points―all on just 12 snaps. Behind the Cowboys’ top-tier offensive line (which ranked third in adjusted line yards coming into the game), Pollard—who came into this week ranked first among qualifiers in yards after contact per carry this season—would come with every-week RB1 upside if Elliott went down.