Tag: Dallas Cowboys

Gallup says departed brother helped on circus catch: ‘He was right there with me’

Cowboys WR Michael Gallup’s circus catch changed the game and capped his career-best outing on the anniversary of his brother’s suicide.

November 17, 2018 was one of the darkest days imaginable for wide receiver Michael Gallup. November 17, 2019 was one of his very best as a Dallas Cowboy. On the one-year anniversary of his younger brother’s death, the second-year wideout logged a career-high nine receptions for 148 yards in an important 35-27 win over the Detroit Lions.

Gallup provided perhaps the turning point of the game with an improbable catch in the second quarter. And while it would be a cheap cliche for some sportswriter to suggest that the 23-year-old wideout had some sort of divine intervention in making the acrobatic grab of a tipped ball, Gallup himself says his brother was with him.

But Gallup admits his highlight moment almost didn’t happen at all.

“I wasn’t even supposed to run that route,” Gallup said after the game. “I kind of messed myself up. That’s really why I had to catch the ball, because I messed it up. I’d just seen [quarterback Dak Prescott] throw it in the air, and [Lions cornerback Mike Ford] was behind me, so I had to fight through him. Then luckily, the ball didn’t go too far after I missed it the first time.”

According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, Gallup wouldn’t rule out the possibility that his brother may have provided a slight nudge while that ball was fluttering in the air.

“I know he was right there with me when I bobbled that deep ball,” Gallup said. “I know he was right there with me.”

The circus catch moved the chains on a critical third down and extended the Cowboys drive. Two plays later, running back Ezekiel Elliott punched the ball into the end zone to give Dallas a lead that they would not relinquish. Gallup compiled over 100 of his receiving yards before halftime.

“We needed him,” Elliott told the media after the win. “We needed him right there. He definitely carried us through the first half. He’s the reason we won the game.”

“It’s no surprise. No surprise at all,” Prescott said of Gallup’s play during his postgame press conference. “If you watch practice or if you could see practice, that’s what he does week in and week out. He’s somebody that I have so much confidence in, the way that he wants to learn, he wants to get better. He’s a hungry player, and it’s fun to play with him.”

Gallup’s sideline grab impressed his fellow receivers, too.

“Even after he caught it, I said, ‘You wanted that one bad,'” Cooper joked with reporters. “I don’t think I’ve ever made a catch like that. Being interfered, not initially catching it because you’re being interfered, and then catching it? Like I said, he really wanted to catch that ball.”

“He’s an amazing player, he makes some incredible catches,” Randall Cobb said at his locker. “I think we’ve got to get him more involved and find ways to get him the ball and let him do what he does.

“He’s been making plays since I got here: through OTAs, through training camp. I think people are starting to understand exactly how good he can be. And he’s going to continue to grow, continue to get better. That comes with experience, but to see a young guy like him making plays consistently throughout the season is huge for him as a player, and it’s huge for our team.”

The concept of team is an important one for the 2018 third-round draft pick our of Colorado State. He’s demonstrated it repeatedly in his short pro tenure with the Cowboys, even in the devastating wake of his brother’s suicide last year.

The club was in Atlanta to play the Falcons. After the win, Gallup, a Georgia native, was joined by family members in a private room at the stadium. That’s when he was given the news of his brother Andrew’s death the previous day. Michael stayed behind with family when the players returned to Dallas. But the rookie rejoined his teammates and played just four days later, though, recording two catches against Washington and earning a game ball that Thanksgiving Day from coach Jason Garrett before returning to Georgia the next morning for the funeral.

“I just have so much admiration for Michael as a person and how he handled that situation,” Garrett offered Monday during a phone interview with 105.3 The Fan. “I can’t imagine what he was going through, what his family was going through. And he just handled it so beautifully, with so much grace last year. And I was just so impressed by him as a person and the character he has and his family and how they all came together around this tragedy. He’s just handled everything so beautifully since then. Obviously, we’ve talked a lot about how he continues to develop and grow as a player, and he certainly did a great job for us yesterday.”

Though obviously pleased with Sunday’s win and his contribution to it, Gallup admitted that his brother had been on his mind leading up to kickoff.

“Obviously, it’s going to be tough around this time every year,” Gallup said. “His birthday was November 10. So it’s always a hard one. But to go out here and have fun, do what I love, and he knows that. I’ve always loved this game and he’s up there watching me. It’s a good feeling, to be able to do that for him and have the family watch as well.”

But if the young speedster was struggling with memories of his brother, he kept it to himself. Most of his teammates didn’t even know about the tragic anniversary until it was pointed out to them by reporters after the win.

“Man, you just gave me chills,” Elliott said when told. “MG’s been a great dude ever since I met him. I knew he was going to be special. I knew he was talented. For him to go out there and have the day he did- today, on the one-year [anniversary] of his brother passing away- I’m sure it means a lot to him. I’m happy for the kid.”

“You did it for your bro?” Cooper asked Gallup directly in the locker room. “Yeah, he did it for bro. Hey, it explains a lot now, how he really wanted that ball? It explains a lot now. He did it for bro.

“Proud of him,” Prescott declared. “I know his brother’s proud of him. That’s what you do when you’re a player like that, when you’re a ballplayer, being able to go out there on that field and be at peace, it takes away and just allows you to be who you are. That’s what Michael Gallup did tonight. Just showed the type of player he is, in the midst of the anniversary. Proud of him. Proud of him.”

As for what Andrew would have said about the Cowboys’ win and his older brother’s incredible catch? Gallup grinned broadly just imagining it.

“Man, shoot. I don’t even know what little Andy would say. He’d just probably look at me and smile, to be honest.”

Stock Report: Cowboys’ identity now invested in blue-chip passing game

Stock Report: After another ridiculously good outing, the Cowboys’ identity now invested in blue-chip passing game.

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

(AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

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

(AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

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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Dak Prescott in rare air: ‘The best football I’ve ever seen him play’

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott is having an MVP-caliber season and among the historic elite, but he’s focused on Week 12 and the Patriots.

Dak Prescott had the hot hand in Week 10 versus the Minnesota Vikings but the Dallas Cowboys didn’t ride it sufficiently in the minds of most, and the team dropped a game they could have won. When Prescott began to heat up on Sunday against the Detroit Lions, this time the coaching staff did what they could to fan the flames.

Once the smoke cleared after the 35-27 win at Ford Field, the Cowboys had moved ahead of Philadelphia in the NFC East standings. And Prescott had moved even further ahead of his already-lofty status in the eyes of his teammates.

“Dak’s playing the best football I’ve ever seen him play,” running back Ezekiel Elliott told the media following the win. “Definitely took his game to the next level, just the things he’s been able to do: come up to the line, changing plays, getting us in the right place versus certain looks.”

“He’s playing phenomenally,” wideout Amari Cooper said in the visitors’ locker room. “Shoot, we can’t ask for much more out of him. He’s throwing for a lot of yards, he’s really adjusting to the offense, taking command, he knows exactly how to go out there and shred the defense that we’re going up against every week. He’s doing a lot of really great things.”

“A lot of people don’t realize how good he actually is,” echoed receiver Randall Cobb after the game. “I think he’s just continuing to prove people wrong, week in and week out.”

But Prescott’s big day wasn’t just a one-off fireworks show. And it’s not just the second installment of a short-lived hot streak. Put together his numbers from his past 16 games, and it’s plain to see that Dak is straight up dealing.

Had those 16 games been the 2018 regular season, Prescott would have finished in third place among all qualifying league quarterbacks in passing yardage, behind only Ben Roethlisberger and league MVP Patrick Mahomes. His completion percentage would have ranked him 5th, his yards per attempt would have placed 3rd, and his passing touchdowns would have been good enough to tie for 6th.

But Prescott doesn’t feel like he’s maxed out his potential.

“I know I can continue to play better, and play better than I did tonight. That’s what I focus on,” he said in his postgame address. “I don’t think about performances in the past. I’m not going to sit here and look too much on this performance. It’s about what we can do now, how I can get better.”

The 4th-year veteran is quick to downplay his play of late, but the Mississippi State product is entering some historically rarified air for NFL passers.

Prescott’s 400-yard performances came against the Giants in the season opener, against Green Bay in Week 5, and against Detroit on Sunday. He missed the plateau by just three yards in Week 10 versus Minnesota, a game in which he still tossed three touchdowns to go with his 397 yards. That group of outings catapults Prescott into an even more exclusive club.

Once again, Prescott chose not to dwell on the accomplishment when it was pointed out after the victory.

“Sure, it’s great,” Prescott shrugged. “That’s what stats are for, to be able to look back and compare, whatever. But for me, it’s about ‘let’s go get another win’ and maybe I’ll get the fifth one. Just all about moving forward, getting better. It’s humbling anytime to be thrown in with the name Montana.”

Prescott’s monster day was due in no small part to the amount of time he was given in the pocket by the Dallas offensive line. He was sacked just once on the afternoon, his protection causing FOX play-by-play man Kevin Burkhardt to quip at one point that Prescott had enough time to “bake a cake” as he went through his reads.

“It gives you a lot of confidence,” Prescott offered. “Gives you so much confidence. You sit back there… there was a couple times I literally went through the progression two or three times.”

He ended up targeting eight different receivers on the day, often rolling out of the pocket and altering his throwing motion while on the move to sidearm several balls to teammates in traffic.

“He has that ability,” coach Jason Garrett remarked in his postgame press conference. “He’s not one of these guys who’s just a statue in the pocket. He can get out and move, he can throw from funny body positions, he can throw going left, he can throw going right. That’s just part of what makes him such a good player, his ability to do that and handle different situations that come up over the course of a play, and he did that a number of times today.

“He just continues to grow and develop as a quarterback.”

Every bit of growth, every step in his development, every 400-yard game further cements Prescott’s place in Dallas. And while he’s put his contract extension talks on the shelf in order to focus on the season, his play is putting him squarely in the elite category. There is now little doubt that soon his pay will be elite, too.

Prescott is on a tear, by whatever measuring stick is being used. And while it will eventually result in some fat figures next to his bank account, his Cowboys teammates are happy for the moment to see him racking up big numbers on the field. They hope he can maintain his hot hand next week in chilly New England.

“Something’s clicking there,” observed Elliott. “He’s throwing the [expletive] out of the ball. We’ve got a bunch of weapons on the outside he can throw it to; it’s hard for a defense to stop him. So keep that thing rolling.”

The record-setting stats and comparative accolades thus far have made for a nice chapter in Dak Prescott’s story. But he’s not interested in re-reading the same pages over and over; he says he’s already focused on his next challenge in the Patriots.

“I told you, we close books fast and we move on.”

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The Silver (and Blue) Lining: 3 positive takeaways from the Lions loss to Dallas

The Detroit Lions losing streak continues but it’s not all negative. Here are three positive takeaways from the latest game.

It’s only fitting that the second Silver (and Blue) Lining comes on the heels of another Detroit Lions loss, par for the course, I suppose. Nonetheless, in what turned out to be an entertaining game to watch, it’s never fun to be on the losing side.

Here are three positive takeaways from the Lions 35-27 loss against the Dallas Cowboys to ease the pain.

The offense can put up points

In what has become the norm for this season, the Lions put up a lot of points, only to fall short.

Jeff Driskel looked much more comfortable taking snaps under center this week, contributing two passing touchdowns along with one on the ground, on his way to winning the Lions Wire Week 11 player fo the game award.

The Lions are averaging 24.4 points per game this season, with a total of 244 points. To add some perspective to the scoring totals, the Lions are the sixth-highest scoring team in the league and the only one with a losing record.

Overall, the offensive play calling is working, albeit sometimes head-scratching. The Lions have had a rotation of running backs throughout the season, Matthew Stafford is currently out, Danny Amendola and TJ Hockenson have missed games, and the Lions offense has shown the versatility of a team that should be a perennial playoff contender. Not to mention that wide receivers Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones are tied with a league-leading eight touchdowns — each!

Defensive line held up against Ezekiel Elliott

The Cowboys star running back, Ezekiel Elliott could not get the motor going in Detroit. The blueprint was to stop Elliott first, and Dak Prescott second — but the Lions defense never switched out of that first gear.

Elliot finished the day with only 45 yards on the ground on 16 carries, for an average of only 2.8 yards per carry. Since Mike Daniels has returned, the Lions defensive line has been able to find some success stopping the run against both the Chicago Bears and Cowboys. If the defensive line can stay healthy, their opponents will continue to struggle on the ground.

Oh, you didn’t Bo? Scarbrough looked good in debut

On Saturday, the Lions promoted Bo Scarbrough to the active roster to try to get something going on the ground. Scarbrough not only started the game in the backfield for the Lions, but he also led the team in yards with 55.

On the Lions’ first offensive drive, Scarbrough scored his first career touchdown with a five-yard run, right up the middle. The former Cowboys seventh-round draft pick showed that he posses something that the Lions desperately need — power running.

The ability to lower the shoulder pads and break tackles is something the Lions have missed since Kerryon Johnson was put on injured reserve. Scarbrough will look to improve on his 14 carries for 55 yards in week 12 against a Washington Redskins defense that has allowed an average of 136 rushing yards per game.

NFC Playoff picture: Where the Eagles stand after loss to the Patriots

NFC Playoff Picture: Where the Eagles stand after loss to the Patriots

The Philadelphia Eagles are now 5-5 on the season after a heartbreaking 17-10 loss to the Patriots at home on Sunday afternoon. Even with the loss, Philadelphia still controls its own destiny on the journey to winning the NFC East.

With the Cowboys win in Detroit on Sunday, the Eagles are now a full game back in the division and currently would be the 8th seed in any playoff format. The NFC only invites six, so the Eagles have some work to do.

Here are your current NFC standings:

National Football Conference

1. San Francisco 49ers 9-1

2. Green Bay Packers 8-2

3. New Orleans Saints 8-2

4. Seattle Seahawks 8-2

5. Minnesota Vikings 8-3

6. Dallas Cowboys 6-4

7. LA Rams 6-4

8. Philadelphia Eagles 5-5

9. Carolina Panthers 5-5

Here’s how the Cowboys and Eagles schedule breaks down from here on out.

WK 12 – Cowboys @ Patriots / Seahawks @ Eagles
WK 13 – Bills @ Cowboys / Eagles @ Dolphins
WK 14 – Cowboys @ Bears / Giants @ Eagles
WK 15 – Rams @ Cowboys / Eagles @ Redskins
WK 16 – Cowboys @ Eagles (For The Division)
WK 17 – Redskins @ Cowboys / Eagles @ Giants

Highlights, player tracking of Cowboys biggest Week 11 plays

Dissecting the biggest plays in the Dallas Cowboys’ 35-27 victory against the Detroit Lions using EPA and Win Probability metrics.

Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Cowboys picked up a much needed victory as they beat the Detroit Lions 35-27 in a close game. The Cowboys dominated on the offensive side of the ball while their defense continued to struggle, this time against a Lions team led by backup quarterback Jeff Driskel. The team’s defense has been a let down despite some stellar play from the defensive line. That being the case, the burden is on Dak Prescott to lead the offense in high scoring games, and on Sunday he once again proved more than capable.

It was an explosive game for both passing offenses as each team’s pass defense was lackluster.

Here are the biggest plays of the game in terms of Expected Points Added (EPA) and Win Probability (WP) with data via nflscrapR. EPA measure the value of a play based on down, distance to first downs, field position and time remaining in the game.

Make sure to check out the multiple views of the player tracking data for unique insight into how the plays unfolded.

The Plays

No. 1: Ezekiel Elliott up the middle for 2 yards, FUMBLE

EPA: -4.2. DAL WP Shift: 48% -> 39%

Another game, another turnover on the Cowboys’ opening drive. The team has been known for their slow starts in 2019 and turnovers have been one of the biggest culprits. On the first rush of the game Elliott fumbled after being gang tackled by a pair of Lions. It was edge rusher Trey Flowers that forced the ball out with a recovery from linebacker Jarrad Davis.

The turnover proved to be a costly one as the Lions were able to turn it into their first score of the game. It was a seamless opening drive for the Lions who would start at their opponents’ 28-yard line. After a short drive, running back Bo Scarbrough scored on a 5-yard rush up the middle.

No. 2: Dak Prescott sacked by Devon Kennard for a loss of 10 yards

EPA: -2.4. DAL WP Shift: 42% -> 34%

The Cowboys’ third drive of the game looked to be a promising one. Beginning at their own 14-yard line, they would slowly inch their way into a scoring opportunity. The drive spanned 14 plays, 79 yards gained and five first downs. Eventually the Cowboys found themselves at the Lions’ 2-yard line on a goal-to-go situation. On third down it was Lions edge rusher Devon Kennard that would generate the sack on a well-timed blitz call for a loss of 10 yards.

After the sack the Cowboys would have to settle for a 30-yard field goal try from Brett Maher putting the score at 7-3 late in the first quarter.

No. 3: Prescott pass short middle to Tony Pollard for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN

EPA: 3.5. DAL WP Shift: 44% -> 55%

Trailing by four points to start the second quarter the Cowboys would get their first touchdown of the game in style. Much like in their previous possession, their fourth drive would also be a long one. This drive covered 7 plays, 70 yards gained and three first downs. Their success was rewarded when Prescott connected with Pollard on a 21-yard reception for the score. Pollard flashed his explosive potential by forcing a missed tackle in route to his first career receiving touchdown.

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Giants remain one step ahead of Redskins in NFC East

The New York Giants remain one step ahead of the Washington Redskins for a basement spot in the NFC East.

[jwplayer cfZzcYxP-ThvAeFxT]

The New York Giants managed to avoid losing on Sunday for the first time since defeating the Washington Redskins on September 29. Of course, the Giants were enjoying a bye week, so that’s not exactly saying much.

Big Blue is back at it on Monday, returning to East Rutherford ahead of a Week 12 game against the Chicago Bears before back-to-back games against the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles.

With the other three NFC East teams playing on Sunday afternoon, here’s a look at how the division sits after 11 weeks:

Dallas Cowboys (6-4)

It took everything Dallas had, including a huge game from quarterback Dak Prescott, but they were just able to edge out the Lions in Detroit, giving them six wins on the season and complete control of the NFC East. However, those good feelings could fade in short order as the Cowboys now have back-to-back games against the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills on tap.

Philadelphia Eagles (5-5)

The Eagles gave it a valiant effort and clearly caught Tom Brady & Co. off guard on Sunday, but New England ultimately prevailed, sending Philadelphia back to .500 on the year. Things get no easier for Philly in Week 12 with the Seattle Seahawks up next. However, it’s much more smooth sailing after that with the Dolphins, Giants (twice) and Redskins making up four of the Eagles’ final five games.

New York Giants (2-8)

The Giants have essentially been left to contend with the Redskins as the worst team in the NFC East and entering Week 12, they have a one-game lead. Of course, the thought of Big Blue’s offensive line going up against Khalil Mack and the Bears defense is a scary one. On the plus side, it looks like the secondary will get a slight break against Chase Daniel, which likely means just a modest 250-yard, 2-touchdown performance for Chicago’s signal caller.

Washington Redskins (1-9)

As bad as things are in New York, they might actually be worse in Washington. With a 34-17 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday, the Skins fell to 1-9 on the season with that one win coming against the Miami Dolphins, who went for a two-point conversion with no time remaining on the clock instead of kicking a PAT and sending the game into overtime. Washington’s latest loss was highlighted by rookie QB Dwayne Haskins pleading with his offensive line to protect him.

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Game balls, key stats, instant analysis of Cowboys 35-27 win over Lions

Dak Prescott’s ascension continued, as he led the Cowboys to their sixth win of the season while throwing for 444 passing yards.

Dallas fans invaded Detroit, and were able to witness their team hang on and claim and their sixth victory of the season. It ended up being a shootout between Dak Prescott and Jeff Driskell, in game that featured four lead changes and over 820 combined total yards of offense. Ultimately, the Cowboys were able to prevail, and remain on top of the NFC East.

It was over when . . .

. . . Ezekiel Elliott housed a well-timed screen pass against the blitz from 17-yards out, followed by an excellent Dak Dance TD celebration. Tony Pollard then rumbled into the end zone for the two-point conversion to put Dallas up by two touchdowns with under eight minutes left in the game, effectively sealing the win.

Game balls

QB Dak Prescott

His transformative season continued against the Lions, with Prescott completing 29 of 46 passes for 444 yards, his third game this season with over 400+ passing yards. He was responsible for most of the his team’s big plays, finding open receivers, shaking off defenders, and picking up first downs with his legs. This showing, perhaps more than any other this season, announced that the Cowboys are no longer a run-first, grind it out team led by Ezekiel Elliott, but one that can sling it with the best of them.

WR Michael Gallup

On the one-year anniversary since losing his brother, Michael Gallup had a career day. He set a new high in catches with nine, and led the team with 148 receiving yards. He was a monster, especially in the first half, and made maybe the catch of the season in the second quarter. The second-year receiver has made big strides in 2019, and seems to be developing into a really nice offensive weapon for Prescott.

RB Tony Pollard

It seemed like the Cowboys made an effort to get Pollard involved early, and it certainly paid off. The rookie scored the first receiving touchdown of his career, finding the end zone for the second time this season. He continues to electrify with the ball in his hands, showcasing elite balance and tackle-breaking abilities that the team should continue to utilize. All told, he caught four passes (including two newly unveiled pop passes) for 44 receiving yards, 12 rushing yards, 42 kick return yards.

Key Stat: 5

Robert Quinn and Michael Bennett, two recent imports to the defensive line, have each become immediate, big-time contributors to the Dallas defense. Five represents the combined QB hits they managed to lay on Jeff Driskell, to go along with their three combined sacks and six total tackles, half of which were for loss. The duo, plus DeMarcus Lawrence, were essentially the entire Cowboys pass rush, which held strong and helped ice the game at the end.

Quick Hits:

  • For the third time in 11 games, Dallas’s first offensive drive ended in a turnover. Elliott fumbled the ball away on the second play of the game, reminiscent of Prescott’s interception on the first play of the game in Week 9 vs New York. Early mistakes and playing from behind have been a constant theme this season, and this week was no different. Thankfully however, they were able to pull this one out.
  • Randall Cobb built on his breakout last week in a big way, again scoring a touchdown and going over 100 receiving yards (115 total). He’s now up to three scores on the season, and has recorded 221 receiving yards over his last two games.

  • Early on, it seemed like this week could’ve been the Bo Scarbrough revenge game. The 2018 Cowboys seventh round draft pick made his NFL debut against his former team, and promptly found the end zone on Detroit’s first drive. He managed to reel off some impressive runs, and was the perfect decoy on nicely executed read-option which allowed Driskell to walk into the end zone in the second quarter.
  • It’s hard to remember a time when the Cowboys return game looked more discombobulated. After the mind-numbing decision for forego a return at the end of the Vikings game, it seemed as if Dallas returners were trying too hard to press the action this week, costing the team valuable field position. Pollard took a kick four yards deep in his own end zone, reaching only the Cowboys’ 14. Tavon Austin returned two punts for two yards.
  • The Dallas special teams coverage didn’t fare much better, with Jamal Agnew getting loose for a 32-yard punt return, and a 29-yard kick return. The hidden yardage resulting from the game’s third phase can be extremely valuable, but the Cowboys haven’t gotten much help from their special teams unit this season. Or really since Dwyane Harris left town.
  • What does help special teams is being allowed to kickoff from the opponent’s 35-yard line. A couple ill-timed Detroit penalties essentially gave the Cowboys a free chance at an onside kick just before halftime.

  • Sitting at 6-4, it stings to think about what Dallas’s record could be right now, had they been able to take advantage some earlier opponents, and resisted the urge to shoot themselves in the foot. Still, they more than control their own destiny, and with this offense, can hang with any team in the league.Six games remain, and next up is a trip to Foxborough to take on the New England Patriots.

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Lions Week 11 player of the game: Jeff Driskel

In his second start for the Detroit Lions, quarterback Jeff Driskel has earned himself Lions Wire player of the game honors in the Lions 35-27 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

In his second start for the Detroit Lions, quarterback Jeff Driskel has earned himself Lions Wire player of the game honors in the Lions 35-27 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Despite the final outcome, there were a few honorable mentions with recently called-up running back Bo Scarbrough putting up 55 yards and a score in his NFL debut, and J.D. McKissic making several plays to help the Lions move the chains, in what really turned out to be a high volume game in terms of scoring.

Driskel was under pressure all game and got sacked three times, however, he had no turnovers. Driskel showed poise while being under fire from the Cowboys defensive line and put together another nice day on the ground with 51 yards on eight rushes — including a two-yard touchdown in the second quarter (video below).

In the air, Driskel completed 15 of 26 passing attempts for 209 yards and two more touchdowns, giving him three touchdowns in total for the game. He connected with Kenny Golladay late in the fourth quarter on a deep 39 yard completion.

Congratulations to Driskel on earning the player of the game in only his second start for the Lions!

The 32 nominees for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award

The players nominated for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award have been announced.

The 32 player nominees for the sixth annual Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award were announced last week. Each NFL team nominated one of its players for the award, which recognizes players around the league who exemplify outstanding sportsmanship on the field.

The award is presented each year to an NFL player who best demonstrates the qualities of on-field sportsmanship, including fair play, respect for the game and opponents, and integrity in competition.

The nomineese:

2019 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award Nominees

» Arizona Cardinals C A.Q. Shipley
» Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones
» Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson
» Buffalo Bills LB Lorenzo Alexander
» Carolina Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey
» Chicago Bears DB Kyle Fuller
» Cincinnati Bengals DE Sam Hubbard
» Cleveland Browns RB Nick Chubb
» Dallas Cowboys CB Byron Jones
» Denver Broncos LB Von Miller
» Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford
» Green Bay Packers CB Tramon Williams
» Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson
» Indianapolis Colts WR T.Y. Hilton
» Jacksonville Jaguars DL Calais Campbell
» Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes
» Los Angeles Chargers LB Thomas Davis Sr.
» Los Angeles Rams S Eric Weddle
» Miami Dolphins C Daniel Kilgore
» Minnesota Vikings DE Danielle Hunter
» New England Patriots WR Matthew Slater
» New Orleans Saints T Terron Armstead
» New York Giants DL Dalvin Tomlinson
» New York Jets DL Steve McLendon
» Oakland Raiders QB Derek Carr
» Philadelphia Eagles QB Carson Wentz
» Pittsburgh Steelers RB James Conner
» San Francisco 49ers T Joe Staley
» Seattle Seahawks LB K.J. Wright
» Tampa Bay Buccaneers LB Lavonte David
» Tennessee Titans C Ben Jones
» Washington Redskins RB Adrian Peterson

A panel of former players — Warrick Dunn, Pro Football Hall of Famer Curtis Martin, Karl Mecklenburg and Leonard Wheeler — will select eight finalists (four in the AFC and four in the NFC) from the 32 nominees.  The winner of the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award will then be determined by a vote of current NFL players.

Past recipients:

» 2018: Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints
» 2017: Luke Kuechly, LB, Carolina Panthers
» 2016: Frank Gore, RB, Indianapolis Colts
» 2015: Charles Woodson, CB, Oakland Raiders
» 2014: Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals