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The title of this victory post comes from my dear friend and colleague, Mr. Tom Ryle, but we know everyone was thinking the same as the Cowboys walloped the Rams 44-21.
Who is this team, and what have they done with the Cowboys?
— Tom Ryle, upgraded (@TomRyleBTB) December 15, 2019
FIRST QUARTER
The game started in such a Cowboys type of way where it looked as though Dak Prescott mucked up his own words when all he needed to say was ‘DEFER’.
Turns out, Dak Prescott clearly says defer but that didn’t stop the goofs in the stripes from making it a storyline until halftime.
UPDATE: Dak Prescott did say defer to the 2nd half, but only after he said "defense" and "kick." pic.twitter.com/zKMKbHTc0U
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 15, 2019
New week, new kicker, and Kai Forbath’s debut in Dallas is not off to a great start...
And Kai Forbath kicked the kickoff out of bounds. So appropriate.
— Charean Williams (@NFLCharean) December 15, 2019
No damage is done though as the Cowboys defense does something it hadn’t done often over the last three games, forced a punt. In fact, after the Cowboys punted it back, the defense stopped the Rams once again. Not one stop, but two? What a day?!
On the Cowboys second possession, things just started to feel different for the home team. Dak Prescott put his legs to work, getting seven yards as he ran right past Clay Matthews. Ezekiel Elliott easily converts a third and three, knifing through the Rams defense. That same defense gave the Cowboys another set of downs after a DPI call.
On another third down, this time 3rd and 10, Dak is flushed out of the pocket but he finds his man, Amari Cooper. The throw wasn’t phenomenal but the catch was made and that’s all that matters.
This grab by Amari Cooper was nasty... pic.twitter.com/FZNV7pxVV9
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) December 15, 2019
Just a few plays later, the Cowboys face yet another 3rd and 10, at the Rams 19. Once again, the throw wasn’t spectacular but that catch though? Take a bow, Jason Witten.
.@JasonWitten made this one-handed catch look EFFORTLESS
— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2019
Touchdown, #DallasCowboys
: #LARvsDAL on FOX
: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app
Watch free on mobile: https://t.co/ALWDCpltog pic.twitter.com/PXY9tZ2PHH
CHRISTOPHER JASON WITTEN IS A GROWN MAN.
— Cameron Magruder (@ScooterMagruder) December 15, 2019
Even Odell Beckham would be proud of that one:
In his heart of hearts, Jason Witten is shocked he made that catch
— David Helman (@HelmanDC) December 15, 2019
With that catch, Jason Witten trails Dez Bryant by one touchdown on the Cowboys All-Time TD Leaderboard:
Most career touchdown receptions in Cowboys history
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) December 15, 2019
Dez Bryant: 73
Jason Witten: 72
Bob Hayes: 71
Michael Irvin: 65
Kai Forbath’s PAT is good and the Cowboys take a 7-0 lead on a 15-play drive that lasted over six minutes. The Rams get the ball back with less than two-minutes in the first quarter.
SECOND QUARTER
The Rams would even up the score quickly with two 20+ yard catch-and-runs by Josh Reynolds and Tyler Higbee. Those gains helped set up an easy pitch to Todd Gurley for the equalizer:
Touchdown, @TG3II!
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 15, 2019
Touchdown, LA!#LAvsDAL pic.twitter.com/LoJZbAxMTR
The Rams responded in just eight plays but the Cowboys next response took only three...
Bold strategy leaving Tavon Austin wide openpic.twitter.com/wbl4pVbdDB
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) December 15, 2019
Tavon Austin didn’t even need to turn on the jets as he scores an easy 59-yard walk-in touchdown.
Forgetting about Tavon Austin is a Rams tradition.
— Raymond Summerlin (@RMSummerlin) December 15, 2019
The Cowboys defense would run the Rams off the field in just three plays but a phenomenal punt sets Dallas up at their own three-yard line. So, obviously the Cowboys make quick work of it... thank you Blake Jarwin for the 20-yard spot.
I understand Blake Jarwin still needs a lot of work as a route-runner and needs to be schemed open...
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) December 16, 2019
But his ability to make plays in space is so much fun. pic.twitter.com/ZZJaCTCTm2
Tony Pollard busted open his first of several big runs with 25 yards here:
GIVE. TONY. POLLARD. MORE. TOUCHES. #DallasCowboys #CowboysNation #LARvsDAL pic.twitter.com/nswEotTD6f
— Slightly Biased (@BiasedSlightly) December 15, 2019
At the 2:00 minute warning, Ezekiel Elliott punches it in and the Cowboys extend their lead to 14.
GET YOUR ZEKE ON @EzekielElliott | #LARvsDAL pic.twitter.com/7vWSaN6p7J
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 15, 2019
Desperately needing something good to happen, Ram QB Jared Goff does the opposite and Sean Lee plucks the ball from the sky, Lee’s first interception in two years. *Cue Cher’s “If I Could Turn Back Time”...
What year is it
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) December 15, 2019
(via @dallascowboys) pic.twitter.com/M0DZLXEhHZ
Cowboys turning back the clock on the Rams... First Witten, then Lee?
— Nick Eatman (@nickeatman) December 15, 2019
With :20 seconds left in the half, Ezekiel Elliott makes an encore appearance and the rout is on for the Cowboys, up 28-7 at halftime. Who would have thought this was possible?
Come for the @EzekielElliott TD but stay for the adorable reaction of the little kid that Zeke gave the ball too...#LARvsDAL pic.twitter.com/beQRea4mqB
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 15, 2019
Where has this Cowboys’ team been? They have a 27-7 with 16 seconds left in the half. This is as dominate as they have looked since beating Philadelphia, 37-10, on Oct. 20. Ezekiel Elliott has two touchdowns. Jason Witten and Tavon Austin have touchdown... https://t.co/JetMTItfLp
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) December 15, 2019
In January, Rams rushed for 273 yards to Cowboys' 50.
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) December 15, 2019
First half today, Cowboys rush for 125. Rams: 3.
Back to that weird coin-flip fiasco though... Walt Anderson, you better make it right!
Ever watched a football game not knowing for sure who's getting the ball to start the second half?
— Rob Phillips (@robphillips3) December 15, 2019
THIRD QUARTER
Cowboys are receiving to start the second half, so they did correctly defer. Coin toss gate is over.
— Charean Williams (@NFLCharean) December 15, 2019
The Cowboys escape some officiating nonsense to keep the ball rolling. Though they don’t get in the end zone, their first possession of the second-half still ends with points. Atta boy, Kai Forbath, drilling the 50-yarder. Cowboys up 31-7
Kai Forbath 50-yard FG right down the middle pic.twitter.com/NT7ctMiw8S
— Master (@MasterTes) December 15, 2019
The Rams needing to get anything going in the right direction, keep taking the wrong turn, right into the arms of Sean Lee - sack! Everyone is fired up in Cowboys Nation after the third-down sack by The General.
If these reactions to Sean Lee’s sack don’t make you smile idk what will #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/I6fQKwKmfb
— Cowboys Nation (7-7) (@CowboyNationDAL) December 16, 2019
The Cowboys are forced to punt for just the second time this game. However, Jared Goff is just out of sorts as the Rams offense wastes another possession, turning it over on downs.
Dallas elects to keep the ball on the ground as Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard eat up more yards to close out the third quarter.
Through three quarters, Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup and Randall Cobb have combined for 3 receptions, 22 yards.
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) December 15, 2019
The Cowboys are up 31-7
FOURTH QUARTER
At the start of the final quarter. Kai Bloodbath adds three more points with a 42-yard field goal.
I think we have is a kicker!!!@1053SS@PatDoneyNBC5@VoiceOfTheStar@1053thefan@JC1053
— NOT RJ Choppy, RJ Chappy (@RJChappy) December 15, 2019
A legend is brewing for the great Kai...
Where should the Cowboys put Kai Forbath's statue?
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) December 15, 2019
Kai Forbath in his first game with Cowboys:
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) December 15, 2019
50-yard FG ✅
42-yard FG ✅
4/4 XPs ✅
Cowboys 34, Rams 7.
:30 seconds into the fourth quarter, Jourdan Lewis takes matters into his own hands as he notches his fourth sack on the year:
SACK!@JourdanJD takes down Jared Goff #LARvsDAL | #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/89RGi0H907
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 15, 2019
Cowboys CB Jourdan Lewis' fourth sack at AT&T Stadium this year. Third in 2 games. Rams punt.
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) December 15, 2019
What is happening in this game, for real? This is more than just an incredible performance, the Cowboys had nothing but pride riding on this one and they delivered.
The Rams entered this game knowing that they basically had to have it to keep their season alive.
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) December 15, 2019
The Cowboys manhandled that desperation. Dallas has been weird these last few weeks, but that is incredibly impressive. They took LA's best shot and had their way with them.
Dallas is mauling the opponent with sound defense, solid special teams and an offense that only utilizes the tight ends and running backs.
— David Helman (@HelmanDC) December 15, 2019
when did the Cowboys become the Wisconsin Badgers.
Forbath drills another 42-yard field goal and how nice is it to see consistent field goal kicking? Kai Forbath was the right kind of guy for the kicking game.
Kai Forbath in his first game with Cowboys:
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) December 16, 2019
50-yard FG ✅
42-yard FG ✅
Another 42-yard FG ✅
4/4 XPs ✅
Cowboys 37, Rams 7.
The Rams don’t come to life until the Cowboys defense starts playing prevent. LA would get Gurley into the end zone and pick up the two-point conversion but this one is not even close to a game.
I'm smelling forty-burger sadness in LA.
— One Cool Customer (@OCC44) December 15, 2019
In fact, the Cowboys put in Cooper Rush to signify calling off the dogs with three minutes to play. Unfortunately for LA, the Cowboys left one dog still in there...
Tony Pollard to the @TP__5 | #LARvsDAL pic.twitter.com/F50dgjlYYq
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 16, 2019
Tony Pollard with 131. Ezekiel Elliott with 117. This is over.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) December 16, 2019
For the second time this season, Zeke & Pollard have hit 100 yards in the same game.
— David Helman (@HelmanDC) December 16, 2019
First time was against the Dolphins. This was against a stout Rams defense that was fighting for a playoff spot. Very impressive.
The Rams dominated the Cowboys on the ground in the divisional round playoff game last season, 273 to 50.
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) December 16, 2019
With 3:00 to play today, the Cowboys are out-rushing the Rams 264 to 20
Another second on the day, Forbath added another kickoff snafu... but he does make the field goals, so let’s calm down.
Forbath can’t kick the ball in bounds, but that son of a gun can’t miss a FG.
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) December 16, 2019
How bad was this day for the Rams and Jared Goff? So bad, that even in garbage time, it ends on a sour note:
Donovan Wilson just blew up Brandon Cooks on a 2-point attempt in a game that's been over for 20+ minutes... why McVay #LARams #Rams #DallasCowboys #LARvsDAL pic.twitter.com/6LK2DoXAgn
— Slightly Biased (@BiasedSlightly) December 16, 2019
Cowboys win big, 44-21, we saw everything we had been begging them for. The passion, the drive, the energy, the focus led this team to victory over a pretty good football team. As good as this felt, it means nothing if they don’t handle the next goal:
With their 44-21 win against the Los Angeles Rams, the Cowboys can clinch a playoff spot next week. If they beat the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, they will make the Week 17 meeting against Washington meaningless and qualify for the... https://t.co/yrQpNvRb7v
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) December 16, 2019
Just do what you do, Jason Garrett!
The funny thing is that, if there’s one thing the Jason Garrett Cowboys do consistently, it’s beat up on the NFC East.
— David Helman (@HelmanDC) December 16, 2019
Dallas is 18-4 against the division since Dak took over as the starter.
Garrett is 7-2 in Philly as a head coach.
One Day Season. #LARvsDAL pic.twitter.com/X1hIrEvuTN
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 16, 2019