Tag: 2023 week 12

Here’s why the Cowboys offensive line is finally thriving in 2023

The Cowboys offensive line has been remarkably better, and the reason they’ve settled into a groove is likely because, well, they’ve settled in. | From @ReidDHanson.

The Cowboys offense didn’t exactly hit the ground running when the 2023 season kicked off. Compared to the season before, holes weren’t opening as widely in the running game and pass rushers weren’t stymied as effortlessly in the passing game.

Dallas’ highly-regarded offensive line appeared to be getting by on reputation rather than merit. A quick game passing attack and dominant defense shielded them from too much exposure, but to those looking closely, the issues were apparent.

Through the first five weeks, the Cowboys offense fell out of the top-10 in rushing and passing and Mike McCarthy’s system was facing a barrage of scrutiny because of it. But in the weeks following, things started to click on offense for Dallas and a solid argument can be made the offensive line is a big reason why.

11 games into the NFL season and the Cowboys’ offensive line is playing their best ball of the season. Their success as a unit has lifted the Dallas running game and passing game to new heights and put the Cowboys in position to be a major postseason contender.

But why the sudden turnaround?

3 Key numbers following Cowboys Week 12 win over Washington

Beating Washington 45-10, the Cowboys dominated on Thanksgiving Day, setting individual records and a pace for greatness going forward. | From @ReidDHanson

While Americans across the land were feasting at the dinner table on Thanksgiving, the home team at AT&T Stadium was enjoying a feast of their own. By a 45-10 score, the Cowboys ate up their division rivals from Washington, continuing their torrid pace towards the postseason and proving they deserve to be discussed amongst the league’s best.

Standing at 8-3, only one team boasts a better record than Dallas on the season. The Cowboys’ dominance on both sides of the ball is increasingly difficult to ignore and Dallas looks to enter the month of December playing their best ball of the season.

The win over Washington was expected but still proved impressive. The offense was a model of efficiency as quarterback Dak Prescott is playing near-flawless football. After weeks of musical chairs, the offensive line is finally starting to gel. Star defensive back DaRon Bland set the record for most interception returns for touchdown in a season (5).

Even place kicker Brandon Aubrey is making history with the most consecutive field goals made to start a career (22). Here’s a look at some key numerical takeaways from the Week 12 action.

Studs and Duds: A tale of two Blands in Cowboys’ 45-10 Thanksgiving win

Dak Prescott and DaRon Bland led the way for a big Thanksgiving day win for the Cowboys over the Commanders in Week 12. | From @BenGrimaldi

The Dallas Cowboys finally gave their fans a special feeling on Thanksgiving, with a 45-10 smoking of the Washington Commanders. After going 14 seasons without a double-digit Turkey Day victory, and numerous blowout losses, the Cowboys made sure they left no doubt on this holiday.

It was another 20+ point home win for Dallas, their fifth of the season. When they play at home, the Cowboys have left no doubt they are better team by getting a lead and then slamming the door shut late. In their latest rousing victory, Mike McCarthy’s boys finished in style, scoring 25 fourth-quarter points, and feasting their way into the record book.

Thanksgiving wasn’t the only reason to enjoy this day, the Cowboys provided ample reasons to celebrate in their drubbing of the Commanders in Week 12. Here are the studs and duds in the satisfying Thanksgiving win.

Twitter Reactions: Legends, Cowboys fans laud DaRon Bland’s DPOY case after Pick-6 record

From longshot odds to one of the favorites in the blink of an eye, DaRon Bland’s player of the year candidacy was the talk of Twitter. | From @KDDrummondNFL

All season long, the conversation about who would end up as the AP Defensive Player of the Year centered around three stars. For the last two seasons, Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons has finished second in the voting, behind Pittsburgh’ TJ Watt in 2021 and San Francisco’s Nick Bosa in 2022. Parsons, along with Watt have been seen as in close competition behind Cleveland Brown’s edge rusher Myles Garrett since the early weeks of the season.

A new contender arrived a couple weeks ago, as a second Cowboys defender reached historic heights. Last week, cornerback DaRon Bland secured his sixth interception of the season, to tie for the league lead. What he did after though, returning it to the end zone, is what catapulted him into the conversation.

Bland scored his fourth return TD of the year, tying a record that had only been done three times in NFL history and not since 1993 when Eric Allen did it. Allen finished eighth in DPOY voting that year as Rod Woodson took the award home. Bland’s odds remained tall at that time, but with Twitter holding the receipts, yesterday’s historic interception capping Dallas’ 45-10 win over Washington set the stage for a tremendous race down the finish.

About Last Night… Photo gallery of Dolly Parton, Dak Prescott, Cowboys Thanksgiving

Fans in turkey suits, aerial football players, touchdown celebrations and turkey legs… oh, and a totally snatched Dolly Parton headline the Week 12 Cowboys photo gallery. | From @KDDrummondNFL

The Dallas Cowboys enjoyed a glorious Thanksgiving celebration, taking the Washington Commanders to the slaughterhouse by the score of 45-10. Dallas had a comfortable lead heading into halftime, when the incomparable Dolly Parton came out and wowed the world by donning a Cowboys cheerleader outfit for her performance. Twitter reacted accordingly.

Once the game resumed, it took Dallas until the fourth quarter to resume their scoring barrage, but when they did, it was another incredible display. From turkey legs, Salvation Army kettles, the combination of both, it was a great day for Cowboys Nation. Enjoy a full gallery of the action from the great photographers of Getty Images and USA Today Sports.

Home Cooking: Cowboys, Dak Prescott feast on Commanders, 45-10

The Cowboys were comfortably ahead before a fourth-quarter explosion reminded the world just how good they can be. | From @KDDrummondNFL

The Dallas Cowboys entered their Week 12 contest with a ton of confidence thanks to momentum working for them. The club had won five straight home games against Washington and 12 straight overall. That all culminated in the beatdown of beatdowns on Thursday as they took on their division rivals on Thanksgiving.

Dallas got the early lead and then stretched it to 10 by halftime. Quarterback Dak Prescott, making an impressive surge for MVP consideration, had two passing TDs and 221 yards in the half as Dallas built their 20-10 lead. But what was most impressive was the club’s fourth-quarter explosion that saw them score 25 points in less than nine minutes to salt the game away, 45-10.

The victory moved Dallas to 8-3 on the season as they enter a week of rest before hosting the Seattle Seahawks next Thursday night.

Prescott finished 22 for 32 passing, with 331 yards and four touchdown tosses. It was good for a 142.1 passer rating as he hit Brandin Cooks, CeeDee Lamb, Kavontae Turpin and Rico Dowdle with scoring throws. Prescott’s surge over the last several weeks has been incredible, as he’s playing the best football of his career.

So too is cornerback DaRon Bland. Despite a rough outing, Bland did what he amazingly has done all season. For the fifth time in 12 games, Bland returned an interception for a touchdown, breaking the NFL record he tied just last week.

The Cowboys are a longshot to earn the No. 1 seed in the NFC, and they need to defeat a top team to get the respect they seek, but they are playing at a supremely high level right now.

WATCH: Cowboys CB DaRon Bland sets NFL Pick-6 record to cap furious flurry

The Cowboys can score quicker than any team in the NFL and proved it in the most profound way on Thursday. | From @KDDrummondNFL

The Dallas Cowboys have cornered the market on cornerback greatness over the last two years. Someone needs to hand defensive backs coach Al Harris his flowers immediately. Dallas led by double-digits at halftime on Thursday in their Thanksgiving day game against Washington, but their offense was unable to get things going on their first two drives.

They finally got on the board with a 52-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, and then they exploded like only they can. First Dak Prescott found CeeDee Lamb, twice, for eight points. Then he poured salt on the wounds with his fourth TD pass, this one to Kavontae Turpin.

And then… there was DaRon Bland.

The Cowboys second-year corner was having a bad game, giving up a ton of catches for the first time all season. But when he got the chance to jump the route, boy did he ever. Bland returned the ball 63 yards, weaving through Commanders, to give Dallas another 40 burger on the season.

 

Twitter reacts to Dolly Parton’s halftime show in Cowboys-Commanders

The halftime acts from Thanksgiving 2023 have received a lot of conversation over the course of the week. The Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys host Thanksgiving every year, so more than any team that gets the evening window, they are professionals …

The halftime acts from Thanksgiving 2023 have received a lot of conversation over the course of the week. The Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys host Thanksgiving every year, so more than any team that gets the evening window, they are professionals at the process. The Lions went new school with rapper Jack Harlow. Reception to his performance was… not ideal.

The Cowboys went classic, bringing out Dolly Parton. While most of the online audience questioned whether or not the country music icon had songs they were familiar with, she certainly captivated the audience when she came out dressed as a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. Here were some of the best twitter reactions.

LOOK: Dak Prescott connects with Brandin Cooks for big bomb TD

The Cowboys open up a double-digit lead over the Commanders with Dak Prescott’s second TD toss of the first half.

The Cowboys’ offense has been in an incredible groove since they emerged from their bye week. They’ve been in an incredible groove at home since the start of the 2022 season. They’ve been in an incredible groove at home against the Washington franchise sine 2017. Put it all together and guess how this game is starting?

Quarterback Dak Prescott threw his second touchdown of the first half, finding wideout Brandin Cooks on a deep bomb over the middle where he broke two defenders to roam free.

After a slow start to the season, Cooks is, well… cooking. The ninth-year receiver now has four touchdown receptions in his last five contests.

Watch: Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle opens Thanksgiving scoring

The Cowboys opened up the Thanksgiving scoring with a screen pass that went for six.

The Dallas Cowboys have slowly been working their running game into shape over the last several weeks. Run-game coordinator Jeff Blasko returned from a six-game absence at the end of November, and there’s been a steady improvement from the running game. Dak Prescott is taking off more, Tony Pollard is looking more and more like his old self and backup Rico Dowdle is finally getting a decent amount of touches.

And when the referees aren’t calling phantom holds to bring back his big runs, Dowdle is really effective. Just like he was opening up the Week 12 scoring with this screen to the right side inside a downfield block from Zack Martin and Tyler Biadasz.

Dallas leads 7-0 through the opening stanza.