Dak Prescott’s dominating performance helped the Dallas Cowboys roar past an early deficit to defeat the Detroit Lions, 35-27. The Week 11 victory moved the Cowboys to a 6-4 record and they now lead the NFC East by a game over the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Lions wouldn’t go down easy, despite key injuries. No Cowboy was more important than Prescott as he moved the chains with both his legs and arms. Prescott threw for 444 yards and 3 touchdowns spreading the wealth among different pass-catchers. 7 different receivers caught multiple passes from Prescott.
Unexpected Cowboys stepped up and showed out while a pivotal player’s stock is down. Here’s the stock report.
Stock Up: Michael Gallup
Amari Cooper and Randall Cobb played center stage against the Minnesota Vikings last week while Gallup’s strong contributions were comparitively overshadowed as he finished with 4 catches for 76 yards and one touchdown. On Sunday against the Lions, Cooper’s impact and snaps were limited due to a lingering knee injury. Cobb again played well and got open with ease, showing his ceiling with another 100-yard-plus performance, but he also dropped two crucial catches.
Quarterback Dak Prescott needed one of his pass-catchers to step up and Gallup, who has had his struggles with drops himself, played his most consistent game as a pro.
Gallop finished with nine catches for 148 yards. The second-year pro’s statistics were great, but more impressively, was how and when he caught the football. Gallop is normally a deep threat, who thrives on man coverage on play-action calls. This week, the speedster showed the route tree of a No. 1 receiver.
He caught passes underneath, in traffic, contested, and of course, deep. His most notable catch of the day was a 41-yard deep ball. Despite the defensive pass-interference, Gallup remained focused while initially juggling the catch, then hauling the pass in.
If Gallop can remain this consistent, the Cowboys’ receiver corp will be among the league’s best. And may be Prescott sneaks into the MVP conversation.
Stock Down: Ezekiel Elliott
Elliott didn’t play great but he also didn’t play badly. He tallied 16 carries on the day for 48 yards, chipped in three receptions and scored two total touchdowns. His stock is down because, frankly, his value is down.
This doesn’t means he isn’t great (which he is) and doesn’t means the Cowboys don’t need him (because they do), but what he once meant to the Cowboys is diminishing as Prescott’s play and future earnings emerge.
Before the season, most pundits and even the Cowboys themselves believed their success was contingent on how Elliott played and is why the Cowboys’ signed Elliott to a long-term deal before signing their franchise QB. That belief should no longer exist. The team is best when Prescott is at his best and the Cowboys’ play calling should reflect it.
Prescott’s improvement as a pass-thrower has shifted the offensive identity from an Elliott-led offense to Prescott take-over offense. At times this year, it remained unclear what was Dallas’ offensive identity. A perfect example was the final three plays against the Vikings. Prescott dominated the game, but the play calls in the biggest moment suggest the coaching staff trusts Elliott over Prescott when they shouldn’t.
This isn’t a Prescott-versus-Elliott debate or a need to praise Prescott to tear down Elliott because they must work as a tandem. It’s just increasingly evident Elliott’s impact should be complementary to the passing game. Detroit focused on taking away the run and Dallas had a big, big answer for that.
The Cowboys now go as far as Prescott’s arms and legs can take them. The Cowboys must know this moving forward as their schedule toughens.
His elite running ability presents favorable coverages for the passing game, but rookie Tony Pollard has shown to be a more-than capable, and possibly preferred option on passing downs.
Stock Up: Robert Quinn
Quinn was a one-man wrecking crew against the Lions. Jeff Driskel stood no chance in the pocket as Quinn only tallied one sack, but was by far the Cowboys’ best defensive player. He hit the quarterback four times, secured two tackle for losses, and forced numerous errant throws by Driskel.
While DeMarcus Lawerence received the huge pay day during the off season, the sneaky acquisition was trading for Quinn from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick then signing him to a one-year, $8 million deal. Quinn will also earn an additional amount just under $900,000 per a clause when he hit seven sacks. Currently for the season, the veteran pass rusher has 8.5 sacks, already tying his high since his 2014 season in St. Louis.
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