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Not sure anyone could have predicted what happened at AT&T Stadium today after the storyline coming in was that it would be a low-scoring affair. Who would have thought the Cowboys offense, averaging less than 20 points per game would put up 40 on one of the NFL’s best defenses? Well, nobody would have taken that bet.
What do you think Steve Smith Sr.?
“I just think the #Jaguars are gonna whoop the #Cowboys’ ass.” pic.twitter.com/oXbmbydosX
— Freezing Cold Takes (@OldTakesExposed) October 15, 2018
It all started with a pregame visit from Conor McGregor, who was seen hyping up the Cowboys right before kickoff:
This is where it all started pic.twitter.com/fmmGKg2dci
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) October 14, 2018
The Cowboys won the toss and deferred which put the Jaguars on the field first with Blake Bortles at quarterback. Just like that, the Jaguars were in and out as Dede Westbrook is tackled in the open field on 3rd and 3.
To their credit, the Cowboys offense came out attacking Jacksonville, trying to dictate the pace of the game. Dak Prescott converts a 3rd and 9 here to Michael Gallup:
Get up Michael Gallup.#CowboysNation #JAXvsDAL pic.twitter.com/7n9Cm1nDYf
— Joey Hayden (@_joeyhayden) October 14, 2018
Prescott would end up getting sacked on third down by Calais Campbell as the Cowboys settled for a field goal:
Cowboys again have to settle for FG after they'd been moving the ball well. Dallas needs more of what rookie Michael Gallup showed on drive. He went up and got the ball on 27-yard catch -- could give them the threat offense has missed on outside.
— Kate Hairopoulos (@khairopoulos) October 14, 2018
Right on pace for an 18-15 final, as predicted...6 FGs to 5.
— Bill Jones (@CBS11BillJones) October 14, 2018
The Cowboys welcomed back Maliek Collins and David Irving to the defensive line. It was a brief introduction for the Jaguars offense and Irving who registered a QB hit on his first play.
Well hello, David Irving#JAXvsDAL pic.twitter.com/VfaIWb0jn7
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) October 14, 2018
He's an absolute freak. That's unbelievable. David Irving are you serious? #Cowboyswire
— Nick Eatman (@nickeatman) October 14, 2018
So on that third down, The four-man line featured Lawrence, David Irving, Maliek Collins and Randy Gregory. The Cowboys have been waiting a lot of weeks to field that lineup. #cowboyswire
— Rob Phillips (@robphillips3) October 14, 2018
Remember that time DeMarcus Lawrence, Randy Gregory, and David Irving all rushed together on the same play and were literally screaming "THIS IS AWESOME" as they hurried Blake Bortles yea it was awesome
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) October 14, 2018
On the Cowboys next possession, disaster tried to make an appearance but lady luck was with Dak Prescott.
Near disaster for Dak Prescott but he scoops up his own fumble and actually gets a 1st down. #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/xtSM82F4mo
— LastWordOnNFL (@LastWordOnNFL) October 14, 2018
Another fumble and recovery for @dak. #JAXvsDAL pic.twitter.com/RAJbmVzDei
— 105.3 The FAN (@1053thefan) October 14, 2018
Getting the quarterback on the move would become a theme in this game. In the red zone, Dak looks for Gallup again on what was thought to be his first career touchdown catch, sadly it wasn’t so:
Michael Gallup with a near circus catch to ALMOST haul in his first NFL TD. Ruled incomplete. #cowboys #jags @CSUFootball pic.twitter.com/SePSc3n1Yp
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 14, 2018
Don't take that away from Michael Gallup!! #AmericasTeam !!! #DallasCowboys
— Dave Ross (@drosssports) October 14, 2018
They would take the touchdown from Gallup but the Cowboys were determined to make good on this red zone trip. After many weeks of settling for field goals, Dak had enough:
RT if touchdowns make you happy pic.twitter.com/9LOiODYtPH
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) October 14, 2018
Dak tho pic.twitter.com/tXHW4eKxa4
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) October 14, 2018
Jaguars had the ball to start the second quarter and that’s when Blake Bortles was introduced to Maliek Collins, big man coming at you Jaguars!
Sacks change games - #Cowboys D keeping up the pressure - welcome back Maliek Collins #JAXvsDAL 0-10 pic.twitter.com/dI6DdDlnNu
— Steven Van Over (@StevenVanOver) October 14, 2018
Maliek Collins' sack of Blake Bortles knocks out Jacksonville from field goal range. Jags punting.
— Brandon George (@DMN_George) October 14, 2018
Cowboys Quick Trip: A tale of the Cowboys next offense possession in three tweets!
- A little bit of Dak...
The Cowboys look like they're forcing Dak Prescott to carry them offensively.
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) October 14, 2018
So far he's doing it.
2. A nice helping of Zeke...
Another #Cowboys 1st down by @EzekielElliott with a 20 yard gain #JAXvsDAL
— 105.3 The FAN (@1053thefan) October 14, 2018
3. Don’t forget that no meal is complete without sauce!
DAK TO COLE FOR THE TOUCHDOWN WE BACK pic.twitter.com/A0ofSIJ9ZP
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) October 14, 2018
Nine plays, 84 yards, five minutes off the clock in the second quarter, Cowboys up 17-0.
Cowboys are having their way with this No. 1 ranked Jaguars' defense so far.
— Brandon George (@DMN_George) October 14, 2018
What isn't going well right now?
— David Helman (@HelmanDC) October 14, 2018
Cowboys are converting 75% of their third downs. They're running for 6.2 yards per carry. Dak is averaging 9.7 completion and has rushed for 33.
Still early, but I'm utterly stunned at how easy this has looked.
Bortles and his Jaguars offense has a chance to get something done before the half but two “Hot Boyz” ruined it within seconds, SACKED!
SACK credited to both @TCrawford98 and @AntwaunWoods_#JAXvsDAL | #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/oCKyc0uEQa
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) October 14, 2018
Right before the half, just when it looks like the Jaguars will get the Cowboys off the field for the punt:
It's all going the Cowboys way. The Jaguars had 12 men on the field on fourth and 1 punt so the drive continues.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) October 14, 2018
#Cowboys punt, but #Jags penalty gives Dallas the ball back w/ 4:22 in 2nd #JAXvsDAL
— 105.3 The FAN (@1053thefan) October 14, 2018
A few plays later, we have some controversy, 4th and 1, in Jaguars territory, coach?
4th and 1. Garrett? #JAXvsDAL
— 105.3 The FAN (@1053thefan) October 14, 2018
Cowboys not punting here on 4th-and-1.
— Brandon George (@DMN_George) October 14, 2018
On 4th and 1, #FeedZeke for the #Cowboys 1st down. on a 2 yard gain. #JAXvsDAL
— 105.3 The FAN (@1053thefan) October 14, 2018
With just a minute and some change on the clock, Dak finds Cole Beasley for a huge 18-yard gain at the Jaguars 12-yard line:
So you're saying more targets for Cole Beasley and more carries for Dak Prescott is a good thing? Interesting.
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) October 14, 2018
Just a few moments later, Jalen Ramsey doesn’t want none...SAUCED!
DID ANYBODY HAVE TWO ORDERS OF SAUCE pic.twitter.com/ZoHuJs1PQw
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) October 14, 2018
16-play drive for the Cowboys there, capped by Dak Prescott's 9-yard TD pass to Cole Beasley. Beasley has two TDs now in first half. And Cowboys are rolling, 24-0, over Jacksonville.
— Brandon George (@DMN_George) October 14, 2018
Remember, the #DallasCowboys get the ball to start the second half too...
— Pat Doney (@PatDoneyNBC5) October 14, 2018
@NBCDFW @1053thefan
We’re at halftime with the Cowboys putting it on the Jags, 24-0:
Dallas with 251 total yards to the Jags, 64 Cowboys with 19:48 in TOP, Jags, 10:12. Dallas is also 6-9 on third down.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) October 14, 2018
First half of #JAXvsDAL
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) October 14, 2018
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott
13/18, 151 yds, 2 TDs
9 carries, 53 yds, 1 rushing TD
Jaguars QB Blake Bortles
6/8, 35 yds, 0 TDs
2 carries, 16 yds
In the third quarter, the Cowboys offense starts out really slow and punts it back twice to the Jaguars, who finally put points on the board:
Dede Westbrook with a touchdown and a dance to celebrate pic.twitter.com/265P4jt2Zz
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) October 14, 2018
Dede Westbrook is doing an awful lot of celebrating for a team that's losing by three possessions.
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) October 14, 2018
Dak Prescott tries to get Allen Hurns involved against his old team but he didn’t come to play in this one:
That was WR Allen Hurns' fourth target of day from Dak Prescott. Hurns 0-of-4 vs. Jaguars, his old team
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) October 14, 2018
Brett Maher drills another field goal to give the Cowboys a 27-7 lead!
Maher makes another FG, it's a 46-yarder and the Cowboys lead, 27-7. We have 3:06 left in the third.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) October 14, 2018
Blake Bortles trots back out but he went and tried to test the G.O.A.T.! If Bortles wants to throw into triple coverage, Jeff Heath will oblige him!
RT if Jeff Heath is the GOAT pic.twitter.com/t77EWx5U5X
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) October 14, 2018
THE GOAT
— David Helman (@HelmanDC) October 14, 2018
THE GOAT
THE GOAT
DON'T @ ME
THE GOAT
Cowboys can’t get the ball in the end zone but more damage is done after Brett Maher nails his third field goal, Cowboys up 30-7:
Cowboys K Brett Maher today
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) October 14, 2018
50-yd FG ✅
46-yd FG ✅
32-yd FG ✅
3/3 XPs ✅
Maher's now made 14 straight FGs. https://t.co/FOMWQuZ1Da
This one gets uglier for the Jaguars as Jaylon Smith forces the fumble and Jourdan Lewis recovers it:
Jaylon Smith forces the fumble and the Cowboys get ANOTHER takeaway...??
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) October 14, 2018
Looks like he did to me.
Second straight week Jourdan Lewis comes up with fumble recovery.
— Kate Hairopoulos (@khairopoulos) October 14, 2018
Four takeaways in two games, to go along with their already fantastic scoring defense.
— David Helman (@HelmanDC) October 14, 2018
This Dallas defense has turned into a real-deal asset this season.
It’s about that time, isn’t it? Ezekiel Elliott busts one for 21-yards to set up this exclamation point right here:
ZEEEEEEEKE pic.twitter.com/WJsSzb5flf
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) October 14, 2018
MOOD pic.twitter.com/kiB4dRlCnO
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) October 14, 2018
That feeling when you see exactly why Ezekiel Elliott was drafted ahead of you:
Caption this. pic.twitter.com/lO6p4lQxtt
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) October 14, 2018
Jaguars offense can’t get anything going in the fourth quarter, the Cowboys have the ball and Cole Beasley breaks the curse with this catch:
#Dak2Bease is happening and it needs to stay a focus and reality from week2week for #CowboysNation to continue to enjoy the season #JAXvsDAL 7-40 (burger) as Dallas gets a FG to push them past the quatro barrier pic.twitter.com/t0RLXLn0u8
— Steven Van Over (@StevenVanOver) October 14, 2018
Cole Beasley becomes the first Cowboys wide receiver to reach 100-yards in a game since Terrance Williams did so in week nine of last year:
This is Cole Beasley's second career 100 yard receiving game. He also had two TDs the last time he passed 100 yards (November 8th, 2015 vs Eagles).@NBCDFW @1053thefan
— Pat Doney (@PatDoneyNBC5) October 14, 2018
Cowboys facing another 4th and 1? Why not? Ezekiel Elliott converts but eventually it is left up to Brett Maher:
Brett Maher with a career-long 55-yarder gives the Cowboys a 40-7 lead. He has now made 15 field goal attempts in a row. The Cowboys' 40 points are their most in a home game since 2016. https://t.co/FyjCd5qZ3E
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) October 14, 2018
That’s all she wrote, the Cowboys put the boots to a defense that many thought would shut out this offense. Well, those not-named Xavier Woods:
On his way to the lockerroom, Xavier Woods said: “Hey Coach! They got the number-one defense?” #4TheCowboys pic.twitter.com/OE8zIucMNW
— Edward Egros (@EdwardEgrosFox4) October 14, 2018
The Cowboys were so good today that they left Jalen Ramsey with short-term memory loss!
Uncut Jalen Ramsey postgame: pic.twitter.com/xwmKO9ok0y
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) October 15, 2018
Jaguars DT Malik Jackson: "We got our ass kicked today. I don't know what else to tell you. We got our ass kicked today."
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) October 15, 2018
As good as that victory was, it came at home, Ezekiel Elliott wants the Cowboys to show this type of game on the road:
Zeke Elliott, on whether the Cowboys can take this succes on road to Washington: “Obviously we can do it, but it’s something that we need to do. I mean, if we keep not winning on the road, we’re not going to make the playoffs.” #cowboyswire
— David Helman (@HelmanDC) October 15, 2018