Tag: major takeaways

3 Major takeaways from Cowboys first 4 games of 2023

Sending out an APB for contributions from the draft class is one of the biggest takeaways from Dallas’ 3-1 start to the 2023 season. | From @cdpiglet

The Cowboys were shocked by the Arizona Cardinals running for over 200 yards in a Week 3 upset, ending Dallas’ short-lived run at an undefeated season. That is hyperbole, but anything seemed possible wih the team 2-0, sporting a point differential of +60 with wins over a playoff team and one sporting a top-five defense.

The New England Patriots could have been a tough test as well, not only because they had the greatest coach and defensive mind in football history in Bill Belichick, but the emotional return of Ezekiel Elliott. Fortunately for Dallas, Elliott never had the chance to be an option, as the offense for the Cowboys controlled the game, and the defense forced three turnovers and scored on two of them in the 38-3 Week 4 win.

The Cowboys now enter the season’s second quarter, tied with two other teams for the third-best record in the NFC. They have an incredibly tough October upcoming, so what significant takeaways can the team continue improving on or start cleaning up with this stretch of prove-it games ahead?

3 Major takeaways from Cowboys’ strong 2-0 start to 2023

If Week 1 sounded the alarm, Week 2 started up the cement mixer. Dallas might just have a juggernaut in each phase of the game in 2023. | From @cdpiglet

Coming into the season, there were a myriad of storylines centering around the Dallas Cowboys. There was the alleged regression of quarterback Dak Prescott. Many claimed he had been surpassed by Daniel Jones and foresaw him struggling against the New York Jets defense. There were questions stemming from head coach Mike McCarthy taking over playcalling duties and about the defense’s need to improve against the run and of course the lack of a good kicking option. Across all three phases, Dallas was going to have issues on the football field.

Yet here are those same Cowboys, starting the season 2-0, crushing the two New York teams by a total score of 70-10. They look like the most complete and dominant team in the NFL, attacking opponents in all three phases of the game. Offensively, they’ve used a conservative approach that includes heavy doses of CeeDee Lamb and the running backs. Defensively, they’ve been suffocating following the lead of Micah Parsons, and they’ve also sported a playmaking special teams unit with an incredible rookie kicker.

7 Takeaways: Updated Cowboys draft slot, playoff path and Pollard’s position

The Dallas Cowboys won another game, taking out the San Francisco 49ers in a thrilling 41-33 victory at home in AT&T Stadium. Winning back-to-back games for the first time this season, and first time since September 2019 was a major plus, and a feel …

The Dallas Cowboys won another game, taking out the San Francisco 49ers in a thrilling 41-33 victory at home in AT&T Stadium. Winning back-to-back games for the first time this season, and first time since September 2019 was a major plus, and a feel good story despite doing so against teams that are floundering to the finish line. Last week it was Cincinnati, this week they sent the 49ers to their sixth defeat in their last seven games.

Regardless, there was a lot to take away from this contest. From Tony Pollard’s fourth-quarter turnaround, to the defensive stars of the game, there was a lot to dissect. But first, we start with the two high-level views of things, what the win did for the Cowboys’ draft positioning and their playoff chances.

5 Takeaways: Cowboys excite, but familiar feeling settles in 24-19 loss to Steelers

The Cowboys fought valiantly, but in the end couldn’t hand the Steelers their first loss of the season.

The Dallas Cowboys’ issues scoring in recent weeks had been glaring. Outside of a late-game score in a blowout loss against Arizona, the team hadn’t crossed the end zone in a meaningful way since quarterback Dak Prescott exited the contest against the New York Giants in Week 5. Four weeks later, on their third quarterback since, they finally did it, with Garrett Gilbert finding rookie WR CeeDee Lamb.

Dallas held their first double-digit lead of the 2020 season, ahead 13-0 with three minutes remaining in the second quarter, and it was all downhill from there. A valiant effort that included a trick-play punt return, a huge kick return and a blocked kick on special teams was undone by several late mistakes and say Ben Roethlisberger drive the Steelers down for a game-winning drive with just over two minutes remaining. The 24-19 loss dropped Dallas to 2-7 on the season.

Here are the major takeaways.