Tag: Jeff Driskell

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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