A Turn of The Heel
Looks like it’s time to eat crow.
During Dallas’ two-game losing streak, I said that changes needed to occur, and it looks like those changes are in effect. Admittedly, I didn’t believe it could happen.
A win at Philadelphia? The Eagles were criminally depleted at the defensive back position, missing 5 of their starters, of course Dallas had a chance.
A win the following week against Atlanta? A lucky fluke. Zeke touched the rock 23 times for 122 yards (5.3 yards-per-carry) and caught 7 of 8 passes for 79 yards with a TD to cap it off, but he had only had 20+ carries for three of the first nine games by week 10.
I still didn’t believe Dallas had learned anything.
Another win against Washington? Come on! The Redskins lost their starting QB the week before and Colt McCoy hadn’t played an entire game since Oct. of 2014.
Yet, here I am, the Cowboys have beaten one of the top three Super Bowl contenders this year.
In fact, “beaten” isn’t even appropriate, “embarrassed” is more like it.
Thursday night’s game against New Orleans saw Dallas hold Drew Brees to 127 yards passing — Elliot had more yards at 136 total — a measly 4.54 yards-per-attempt, and a 71.6 QB rating, both of which are seasonal lows.
To put things into perspective: The New Orleans Saints have, on average, scored on 58.1% of their offensive possessions this season. Dallas shut them out in their first three of the game.
Dallas’ defense is elite. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it.
With Smith and Vander Esch leading a talented defensive front seven and a young, skilled defensive backfield behind them, the Cowboys don’t need to rely on a high-flying offense, they need efficiency.
That’s exactly what they’re getting.
At the top of this talented defense is a dynamic duo at the linebacker position. Leighton Vander Esch (103 combined) and Jaylon Smith (88 combined) lead the defense in total, solo, and assisted tackles; they’re both top-ten defenders for the team in tackles-for-loss as well.
Oh, and the cherry on top? Vander Esch is also tied for a team first in INTs (2) and tied for second in pass deflections (7).
With Smith and Vander Esch leading a talented defensive front seven and a young, skilled defensive backfield behind them, the Cowboys don’t need to rely on a high-flying offense, they need efficiency.
That’s exactly what they’re getting.
After starting off the season with a worrisome 3–5 record, the Cowboys are putting the ball in Elliot’s hands (23+ carries in the last three wins); Cooper is averaging 13.59 yards-per-catch with 3 TDs in five games; and while Prescott still only has one game with 275+ yards passing this season, his completion percentage has jumped from 62.99% in the first eight games to 74.4% in the last four.
Dallas is also 4th overall in time-of-possession and ranks 9th lowest overall in turnover percentage per-drive.
It’s exactly what the Cowboys needed.
With Philadelphia’s diminished defensive backfield, Washington’s unfavorable QB scenario, and New York sitting at a disastrous 3–8 record, Dallas’ chance at claiming the NFC East seems as certain as ever.
Feature Photo: Credit to @DallasCowboys and DallasCowboys.com