Blogging The Boys - Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks, 2020 NFL Week 3Dallas Cowboys, all the time...since 2005.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47663/Picture_4.png2020-09-29T08:00:00-05:00http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/rss/stream/212164202020-09-29T08:00:00-05:002020-09-29T08:00:00-05:002020 Cowboys rookie report: Tyler Biadasz gets some real action against Seattle
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<figcaption>Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>It was another promising week for the Cowboys rookie class.</p> <p id="uVuWlq">The <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Cowboys</a> lost a heartbreaker in Seattle that came right down to the final seconds, and Dallas emerged from it sitting at 1-2. But it wasn’t a complete downer. The Cowboys rookies once again flashed tons of promise, with some getting even more playing time this week. </p>
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<span><strong>CeeDee Lamb</strong></span><strong>, WR</strong>
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<p id="cHEWrq">It wasn’t the 100+ yard performance he had last week, but CeeDee Lamb continues to look like he’s been doing this for years already. <span>Michael Gallup</span> and a surprise <span>Cedrick Wilson</span> were the two leaders in yards, but Lamb was solid and reliable, as he’s been through these first three weeks. </p>
<p id="PK3blt">Lamb was targeted six times and came up with five catches for 65 yards. He also returned four punts, with one of them a fair catch, for 32 yards. But it was on one of those punt returns where Lamb was taken down oddly and could have tweaked something in his leg. He did not see the field for the ensuing offensive possession and wasn’t on the field for the final five offensive plays of the game. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This was almost really, really bad. I wonder if this hampered Lamb some afterwards.<br><br>He sat out the series following this and played just 16 of the final 39 snaps after playing 33 of the first 43. He was not on the field for the final five plays of the game. <a href="https://t.co/etmDEFaVji">pic.twitter.com/etmDEFaVji</a></p>— Bobby Belt (@BobbyBeltTX) <a href="https://twitter.com/BobbyBeltTX/status/1310624048750178316?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2020</a>
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<p id="FFduEu">Lamb still played in between that, seeing 49 total offensive snaps, but it’s something to watch going forward. In the meantime, though, Cowboys fans should take comfort in knowing that this rookie is everything he was hyped up to be, and potentially more. </p>
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<span><strong>Trevon Diggs</strong></span><strong>, CB</strong>
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<p id="I6YsUW">The Cowboys were already expected to struggle in the secondary after letting <span>Byron Jones</span> go in free agency, but then they were decimated by injuries. <span>Anthony Brown</span> and <span>Chidobe Awuzie</span> are on injured reserve, while <span>Jourdan Lewis</span> missed Week 1. It’s put increased pressure on rookie Trevon Diggs, who hasn’t backed down from the challenge one bit. </p>
<p id="gj06Ip">Through the first two weeks, Diggs showed a resilient player who displays some really good coverage and ball skills, although there have still been some mistakes. That was pretty much the same case on Sunday, and there was perhaps no better epitome of Diggs’ play than this one: </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Great hustle by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DallasCowboys?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DallasCowboys</a> rookie <a href="https://twitter.com/TrevonDiggs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TrevonDiggs</a> <br><br>The <a href="https://twitter.com/dallascowboys?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dallascowboys</a> get the ball back following the touchback.<br><br> : <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DALvsSEA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DALvsSEA</a> on FOX<br> : NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: <a href="https://t.co/9RobDGGsOD">https://t.co/9RobDGGsOD</a> <a href="https://t.co/VmY5N6A4Rl">pic.twitter.com/VmY5N6A4Rl</a></p>— NFL (@NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1310327046145363968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2020</a>
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<p id="eJdQ6T">First, Diggs got burned by <span>DK Metcalf</span> for what would’ve been a big touchdown bomb. But Diggs immediately makes up for it by keeping with the play and managing to knock the ball loose, creating a touchback. For the third straight game, Diggs played every single defensive snap - the only cornerback to have done this for Dallas in any game - and showed while he may have some growing pains, he’s not one to give up. The Cowboys may have something special in this kid. </p>
<h2 id="l7jcUw">
<span><strong>Neville Gallimore</strong></span><strong>, DT</strong>
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<p id="5Fi3Fb">After hardly seeing the field the first two weeks, Neville Gallimore was a healthy scratch this week. With the hot start <span>Trysten Hill</span> has gotten off to, as well as the consistent play of both <span>Dontari Poe</span> and <span>Antwaun Woods</span>, Gallimore seems to be getting a redshirt treatment in his rookie year. </p>
<h2 id="WYALrL">
<span><strong>Reggie Robinson II</strong></span><strong>, DB</strong>
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<p id="F6pkCZ">Speaking of redshirts, Reggie Robinson was inactive for his third straight game. With injuries mounting in the secondary, Dallas keeps bringing in other players, giving the feeling they really don’t want to play Robinson this year if they can help it. </p>
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<span><strong>Tyler Biadasz</strong></span><strong>, C</strong>
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<p id="ezPsx2">Had there been an offseason and preseason, Tyler Biadasz may have been able to beat out <span>Joe Looney</span> for the starting center job. As it turns out, Biadasz may have already claimed the job three games in. <span>Looney</span> had to leave for a brief stretch early in the game and Biadasz came into the game. He played well, getting a monstrous pancake block on his first snap, but <span>Looney</span> came back on the field on the next possession. </p>
<p id="9WGeyL">However, Biadasz came back in later. When <span>Terence Steele</span> had to leave the game due to <a href="https://twitter.com/SlaterNFL/status/1310595823353376769">apparent food poisoning</a>, offensive line coach Joe Philbin made a big switch. He kicked <span>Zack Martin</span> out to right tackle (where he dominated, of course) and <span>Looney</span> kicked over to right guard, allowing Biadasz in at center. </p>
<p id="q6y7cd">This was undoubtedly motivated by the Cowboys’ razor-thin depth at the tackle positions right now, but it also reflects the confidence they have in Biadasz. He played the rest of the game at center and looked really solid, with no poor snaps to <span>Dak Prescott</span> or major mistakes in blocking. It remains to be seen what the lineup will be next week, but Biadasz has shown he’s ready to go now if the team wants him to. </p>
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<span><strong>Bradlee Anae</strong></span><strong>, EDGE</strong>
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<p id="a5UAot">Bradlee Anae got a chance to really impress last week when <span>DeMarcus Lawrence</span> came out of the game, but it wasn’t enough to see an uptick in his usage on defense. In fairness, the Cowboys’ pass rush really came alive against Seattle, frequently getting in Russell <span>Wilson</span>’s face, so there wasn’t much need to send Anae in. </p>
<p id="twQuVy">He had a whopping two defensive snaps, the least amount of any Cowboys defender, but was active on special teams with 22 snaps. It seems like this is just how it’ll go for the former Ute, given the big names ahead of him on the depth chart. In the meantime, Anae’s willingness to contribute on special teams is nice. </p>
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<span><strong>Ben DiNucci</strong></span><strong>, QB</strong>
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<p id="fs9MgB">No shock here, Ben DiNucci was inactive again. Must be nice going from the James Madison Dukes to free courtside season tickets for the Cowboys. I chose the wrong profession, Ben did not. </p>
<h2 id="O6etGf"><strong>Terence Steele, OT</strong></h2>
<p id="GM8XSf">Terence Steele has been the Cowboys’ most recent successful UDFA hit. And sure, Steele hasn’t been impressive on the whole, but given the circumstances he’s played very admirably through three games as the starting right tackle. </p>
<p id="v8yza2">As mentioned above, Steele was dealing with food poisoning all day and apparently took three IV’s the morning of the game in order to play. He managed to play 41 snaps in the game, taking another IV during it, but ultimately couldn’t go any longer. That kind of toughness and determination to play is encouraging though. Steele is not a pushover by any means. </p>
<h2 id="Wujf4i">
<span><strong>Rico Dowdle</strong></span><strong>, RB</strong>
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<p id="iYcPK0">After being active but not seeing the field last week, Rico Dowdle saw three special teams snaps on Sunday. As the third-string running back behind <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/31/20841823/ezekiel-elliott-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Ezekiel Elliott</a> and <span>Tony Pollard</span>, that’s really all anyone expects of Dowdle. </p>
<h2 id="hFTzRD">
<span><strong>Sean McKeon</strong></span><strong>, TE</strong>
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<p id="ajltxG">In his second straight week of being active, Sean McKeon pretty much did the same thing. He came on as the third tight end for jumbo packages, which made up four offensive snaps, and helped on special teams with six snaps. </p>
<p id="OihDuE">McKeon was originally supposed to be the fourth tight end this year and was likely going to be on the inactive list all year, but injuries have made him the next man up. The nature of Cowboys’ offense means he won’t be asked to do very much, but it’s nice to see that he’s able to contribute anyway. </p>
<h2 id="fGBdov">
<span><strong>Rashad Smith</strong></span><strong>, LB</strong>
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<p id="CBWWCQ">In his second week with the Cowboys, Rashad Smith was inactive for the game on Sunday. He’s really just here for depth, being added after <span>Leighton Vander Esch</span> joined the injured reserve, so don’t expect too much beyond that. </p>
https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2020/9/29/21473671/2020-cowboys-rookie-report-tyler-biadasz-gets-some-real-action-against-seattle-ceedee-lambDavid Howman2020-09-28T15:30:00-05:002020-09-28T15:30:00-05:00Crunching Cowboys stats: Looking for what works and what to improve
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<img alt="NFL: Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/H5Evao2YhTuVsvHgNZr-E4HBZtY=/0x0:3152x2101/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67548541/usa_today_14993443.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>The long ball specialist. | Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>It was another tough loss, but there are things to build on for the Cowboys.</p> <p id="PiydOO">Immediately after the <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> lost their game to the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a>, there was a lot of predictably negative reactions. Yes, it was tough to lose another game that they had a chance to win, especially since they were thwarted mainly through their own miscues. </p>
<p id="YMr4Pr">Yet there were some impressive performances by some of the Dallas players, and a bit more evidence that this is a very different coaching staff - at least in some aspects. This week’s look at the story behind the numbers identifies the positive traits to build on as the team enters what should be an easier stretch of games leading to the bye week, and the trouble areas that have to be fixed. As often happens, there are also a lot of things that you may have just missed in the agony of defeat.</p>
<h3 id="DvFWlV">Another monster day for Dak</h3>
<p id="n8GLe1">Yes, he threw a couple of interceptions, including the one that killed the last gasp chance to tie or win at the end. Yes, he fumbled the ball and set the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a> up with a short touchdown. He certainly missed some throws, just like <span>Russell Wilson</span> did. But Dak Prescott also tore Seattle up passing.</p>
<p id="BWFkRy">37 of 57 for 472 yards and three touchdowns. That is impressive, especially in a game where there was no garbage time, as the <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Cowboys</a> took only their second lead of the day with 3:59 left in the game. This was the anticipated shootout between Prescott and <span>Wilson</span>. Unfortunately, the three turnovers given up by Prescott were enough to negate that outstanding production. Remember that the first two both led to easy touchdowns for Seattle, while the final one was the last offensive play of the game for Dallas. Since the <span>Trevon Diggs</span> punch-out to save a TD was the only time the Cowboys took the ball away from Seattle, that put them at minus 2 in turnovers. And you almost never win a game when that happens.</p>
<p id="5ZenP8">Perhaps he was trying too hard on a couple of plays. He also had a near repeat of the fumble from early in the <a href="https://www.thefalcoholic.com/">Atlanta Falcons</a> win, but this one was ruled a legal pass attempt instead. Still, the rest of the team hardly was helpful at times, as we’ll see.</p>
<p id="czGzr3">So “monster” can actually be taken in a couple of ways. It was a day when Prescott showed he can put up huge numbers and do enough to win, but it also was one where his mistakes might have been enough to secure the loss. However, for those who think this was a bit of a fluke, remember that it is the second game in a row where he exceeded 450 yards passing. He can sling it.</p>
<h3 id="PuBuGa">What happened to Zeke?</h3>
<p id="G6wVfq">After having the most yards from scrimmage of any player the first two games, his performance was desultory. He only gained 34 yards on 14 rushes, for a paltry 2.4 yards per carry. He had the loss that resulted in a safety, when it appeared he may have slipped taking the ball. Footing certainly seemed an issue in that end zone a couple of times. They tried to get him involved in the passing game, and he wound up tied for the most targets at 12, with <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/30/20838514/amari-cooper-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Amari Cooper</a>. Yet only six were complete, including at least a pair of just bad drops, and he netted only 24 yards in the passing game. Even his rushing touchdown was mostly due to the Cowboys calling their touchdown play by putting <span>Antwaun Woods</span> in as a fullback. </p>
<p id="v6yKFy">OK, that last bit was a joke, but the rest is no laughing matter. Dallas simply needs more from him. Those drops are all on him, but the problems running may have had something to do with the patchwork offensive line - our next topic of discussion.</p>
<h3 id="EVWCCV">A new starter may have emerged</h3>
<p id="KmyjZc">In the second quarter of the game, <span>Joe Looney</span> had an ankle injury and had to leave the game temporarily. That thrust rookie <span>Tyler Biadasz</span> into the lineup at center. It could have been a disaster, but instead, Biadasz not only handled things well, making the line calls, he demonstrated the power that led to Dallas drafting him at the end of the fourth round. </p>
<p id="QEMtjk">Then another problem developed.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Some clarity on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cowboys?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cowboys</a> OT Terence Steele...I’m told Steele was not benched against Seattle. He was battling awful food poisoning late Saturday, took 3 IVs in morning w hopes of playing. During the game took another but eventually body just shut down & physically couldn’t play.</p>— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/SlaterNFL/status/1310595823353376769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2020</a>
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<p id="pNu325">Basically, the Cowboys were out of offensive tackles at that point, with only newly signed Eric Smith remaining. They clearly were not ready to roll with him, so they did something that a lot of fans have speculated at length about and that was move All Pro guard <span>Zack Martin</span> to right tackle. <span>Looney</span> had already re-entered the game, so he became the right guard, with Biadasz coming back at center.</p>
<p id="DtyL2E">And it worked. <span>Brandon Knight</span> continued to hold up at left tackle, and <span>Connor Williams</span> was suddenly the only starter from game one playing the same position in this game. Arguably, he is also the weakest link now, but since <span>Connor McGovern</span> has apparently not made a case to move ahead of the other Connor, the Knight-<span>Williams</span>-Biadasz-<span>Looney</span>-<span>Martin</span> line seems like the best five linemen they had. </p>
<p id="0rHVd0">By percentage of snap counts, here’s how all six of them stacked up.</p>
<p id="3yyoOf">Knight 100% LT</p>
<p id="4sxfXJ"><span>Williams</span> 100% LG</p>
<p id="jGKHFc"><span>Martin</span> 100% split between RG and RT</p>
<p id="bGsyWZ"><span>Looney</span> 87% split between C and RG</p>
<p id="ggWF7G">Biadasz 63% C</p>
<p id="h3OD1j">Steele 50% RT</p>
<p id="HxKSdb">Now, with La’el Collins and Tyron Smith both still uncertain to return to action, and <span>Martin</span> pretty obviously a better solution at RT than Steele, that may be the starting lineup for this week’s game against the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a>.</p>
<p id="DUcVpc">And if it is, the Cowboys will have three starters from this draft class, all playing at a high level for rookies. Plus UDFA Steele, who was only knocked out of his position by illness. Kudos to Will McClay and his staff.</p>
<h3 id="a5bu5y">Deepest receiver group in the league?</h3>
<p id="KXTutv">There was some speculation about the Cowboys having a shot at three 1,000 yard receivers. Well, here is what the totals would be if these players maintained the same pace as their first three games:</p>
<p id="5QR06h"><span>Amari Cooper</span> - 1,424</p>
<p id="f97Lgw"><span>Michael Gallup</span> - 1,312</p>
<p id="5m3hvO"><span>CeeDee Lamb</span> - 1,227</p>
<p id="moLH2m"><span>Dalton Schultz</span> - 784</p>
<p id="1czNpB"><span>Cedrick Wilson</span> - 571</p>
<p id="7hfr8y">Understand, that is based on one game for <span>Wilson</span>. His five catches for 107 yards and two TDs was a long awaited breakout for him. If this is the beginning of him being more fully incorporated in the offense, his per-game average could be much better.</p>
<p id="ulZNPJ">That may not be too hard, given that he was only on the field for 29% of the Cowboys’ offensive plays, or 24 snaps. Fit him into a rotation with the other WRs where he can be closer to 50%, and you can throw three dynamic receivers out there every play, if you want, and still let them catch a breather on some plays.</p>
<p id="FC7CtZ">One other note is how they used <span>Gallup</span>, who led all receivers with 138 yards against Seattle. Look at his routes when he was targeted (per NFL NextGen Stats):</p>
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<p id="yBjNOV">I don’t know if there is not as much faith in him crossing the field as there is in him burning down the sidelines, or if they are setting him up to fool people down the road - but if you want the designated deep threat for Dallas, here you go.</p>
<h3 id="YrVj3R">An odd mixed bag on defense</h3>
<p id="bJ5GGW">When you look at the score, you probably think the defense was just bad across the board. Well, it wasn’t. For instance, the four sacks were obviously the most they have generated this season, with Aldon Smith becoming the main weapon. As was noted, he now has more sacks in his first three games with the Cowboys as he did in his entire last season before his suspension. They also had eight QB hits on Wilson and five tackles for a loss. </p>
<p id="u3z0pX">What’s most surprising is that they only allowed the Seahawks to convert 5 of 13 third down attempts, or 38%, plus one successful fourth-down attempt. By contrast, the Cowboys had a 47% conversion rate, and also converted two fourth downs to extend drives. As a result, the Seahawks had to punt it away seven times, while Dallas only sent <span>Chris Jones</span> out for three punts. Dallas came out on top in long plays, with four plays of over 40 yards to two for Seattle.</p>
<p id="Gpvq2g">The problem is that Seattle was also very successful on first and second downs, so they didn’t get to third down all that often. Far too many of <span>Wilson</span>’s completions were to embarrassingly wide-open targets, especially in the red zone where there is less room to work. Then consider that three Cowboys drives ended in giveaways, and those seemingly favorable numbers come into context.</p>
<h3 id="JXtc9Z">And now we get to the “special” teams</h3>
<p id="Y56IqF">We are three games into the season, and there is already a growing chorus of voices calling for John Fassel to be replaced as ST coordinator. Personally, I think that’s a bit much - but something has to be fixed.</p>
<p id="uPKWvg">First of all, <span>Tony Pollard</span> stunk up the joint as a kick returner. He only had one attempt at a return, but it was a horrid one, as he seemed to stumble while trying to field the ball just inside the end zone. The ball wound up on the ground somewhere around the one-yard line, leaving him with no choice but to fall on it. If you have never seen a muffed kickoff before, you aren’t alone. </p>
<p id="a2jp1x">That of course set up the safety when <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/31/20841823/ezekiel-elliott-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Ezekiel Elliott</a> also seemed to have trouble with the turf in failing to get out of the end zone. Coming right after the Seahawks’ initial touchdown of 43 yards to <span>Tyler Lockett</span>, it had to rattle the Cowboys just a bit.</p>
<p id="kQc7TH">And the special teams follies were just getting started, as <span>Greg Zuerlein</span> would miss one extra point outright, and have a second one blocked. <span>Zuerlein</span> was brought to Dallas to stop the kicking woes, but he is not exactly setting the world on fire. </p>
<p id="W8H6TY">That muff was a big part in the Cowboys’ dismal average starting position for their drives, their own 19. The Seahawks got to begin their drives from their own 33 on average. That 14 yard differential is huge, and a frustrating reminder of how this was a sore spot all last season. It would have been even worse if not for the one positive on teams, the 32 yards Lamb had returning three punts. It was a very small plus, swamped by the enormous negatives. </p>
<p id="PNEEhB">The coaches and players have some glaring issues to resolve in all three phases of the game. Let’s hope the team can get better against the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a>.</p>
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https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2020/9/28/21459863/crunching-dallas-cowboys-stats-looking-for-what-works-and-what-to-improveTom Ryle2020-09-28T12:30:00-05:002020-09-28T12:30:00-05:00Cowboys Game Ball is split between an offensive and defensive player
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<figcaption>Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Even in a losing effort, some players stood out for their positive play.</p> <p id="ZidIsy">Nobody among the <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Cowboys</a> fanbase is happy with the team opening the season at 1-2. The two losses have come against two very good teams so far, and the Cowboys have been in both game to the end, but two losses are still two losses. To complicate matters, their lone win came on a miracle against a team that is now 0-3. Bill Parcells used to say “you are what your record says you are”, but it certainly feels like this Cowboys team is an enigma at the moment. You could make a case for them progressing up the ladder or staying a losing team.</p>
<p id="L0XZGY">Even though they came away with a loss in Seattle, there were some bright spots. The offense put 31 points on the board and in most cases that should win you some football games. They are averaging 29.3 points per game which is tied for seventh in the league. They aren’t quite #Team40Burger, but they can score. And on Sunday, they discovered a new weapon for their offensive arsenal.</p>
<p id="j4wclI"><span>Cedrick Wilson</span> gets half a game ball for his performance against the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a>. </p>
<p id="JIwC0Q">The Cowboys drafted <span>Wilson</span> in the sixth round of the 2018 draft. The receiver had shown plenty in practice/pre-season scenarios, but has been unable to stay healthy and truly impact a game. Until Sunday. Previous to the Seattle game, <span>Wilson</span> had played in six games during the 2019 season and had amassed five receptions for 46 yards and no touchdowns. On Sunday, he had five receptions for 107 yards and two touchdowns. </p>
<p id="dx6PKN"><span>Wilson</span> had a long of 42 yards and both his touchdowns came on crossing patterns that he turned upfield for long runs to a touchdown. He’s probably not ready to turn the Big 3 (<a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/30/20838514/amari-cooper-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Amari Cooper</a>, <span>Michael Gallup</span> and <span>CeeDee Lamb</span>) into the Big 4, but he’s established himself as a guy who can contribute, and is nice depth in case of injury. </p>
<p id="QRm0YG">The other half of the game ball goes to <span>Aldon Smith</span>. </p>
<p id="3sRKbJ">The Cowboys are getting big returns on their minimal investment into Smith. They assumed a lot of risk in signing him, but through three weeks, he is the Cowboys best defensive player. Against Seattle he had three sacks, two tackles for loss and one pass defensed in an impressive effort. His four overall sacks on the season now leads the NFL. Almost five years out of the game, and he looks like he hasn’t missed a beat. The Cowboys may want to think about locking him down for a few more years on an extended contract.</p>
<p id="FKtnTV"></p>
https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2020/9/28/21459825/cowboys-game-ball-is-split-between-an-offensive-and-defensive-playerDavid Halprin2020-09-28T09:30:00-05:002020-09-28T09:30:00-05:00Cowboys special teams turns in a woeful performance in loss to Seahawks
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<img alt="Dallas Cowboys v Los Angeles Rams" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/I6R3V9PFtwQ_m-dkrx31b30TzMc=/0x0:2354x1569/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67481145/1272335864.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Harry How/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Last year’s problems are working their way into the Cowboys 2020 season.</p> <p id="TBvHgy">The <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> special teams had a terrible run the last few years under Jason Garrett. Once Rich Bisaccia left for the then Oakland <a href="https://www.silverandblackpride.com/">Raiders</a>, things started to go south in Dallas. Inconsistent kicking after <span>Dan Bailey</span> was let go was just the most visible part of a unit that was hurting the <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Cowboys</a>.</p>
<p id="lIfY1G">All of that was supposed to change once the new coaching staff was in place. Mike McCarthy hired John Fassel, long considered one of the best special teams coaches in the league. Bones, as Fassel is known, may yet make the Cowboys special teams unit a positive for the team, but through the first few weeks of the 2020 season, a miracle onside kick is not enough to lift a failing unit.</p>
<p id="ZxKoRA">It all started in the first week of the season when kicker <span>Greg Zuerlein</span> missed a field goal. In a game the Cowboys lost 20-17, those three points were important. Last week the amazing watermelon onside kick overshadowed shoddy execution on a couple of fake punts and <span>Tony Pollard</span> deciding to return some kickoffs from inside the endzone. </p>
<p id="bOZoKY">Against the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a>, things bottomed out. The Cowboys missed two extra points. One was off the upright, the other was blocked when no one blocked the Seattle edge rusher. Tony Pollard gifted the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a> a couple of points when he inexplicably decided again to try and return a kick that would have been a touchback, instead he fumbled it and recovered just outside the Cowboys goal line. One play later, the Cowboys were caught in a safety. Those four points could have come in handy at the end of the game when they had to go for a desperation touchdown instead of a tying field goal. </p>
<p id="ICWXGu">The Cowboys have covered kicks better this year, and punter <span>Chris Jones</span> has improved somewhat. <span>CeeDee Lamb</span> provides a threat as a punt returner. But in the overall analysis, even with the miracle against Atlanta at the end, the special teams unit has been a disappointment. </p>
<p id="beNynT">Through two weeks, Football Outsiders had the Cowboys special teams DVOA at 22nd in the league. This week will not help that ranking. </p>
<p id="f2KDHe">John Fassel needs to hurry up and get control over a unit that is once again costing the Cowboys in games. </p>
https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2020/9/28/21459185/cowboys-special-teams-turns-in-a-woeful-performance-in-loss-to-seahawksDavid Halprin2020-09-28T08:00:00-05:002020-09-28T08:00:00-05:00Ten thoughts on the Cowboys 38-31 loss to the Seahawks
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<img alt="NFL: Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/LqwGGuh4qlPF7D4_8SGAVdIsIcc=/324x0:2756x1621/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67480590/usa_today_14992821.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Cowboys made a run at it, but in the end it just wasn’t enough.</p> <p id="2Jzi2x">The <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> went into CenturyLink field and provided fans with a tumultuous game that featured all kinds of hills and valleys of excitement. In a game of runs, the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> came through in the clutch moments to secure the 38-31 win and start the season with a 3-0 record. The <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Cowboys</a> dropped to 1-2, but still sit in good shape as the NFC East continues to flounder. There were some great things that happened in the game, and then others that were not so great. </p>
<p id="m4QLUo">Here are ten thoughts on Sunday’s action.</p>
<h3 id="F1oeDf"><strong>1. Too much cooking time</strong></h3>
<p id="VTEePq">On plenty of plays it seemed like <span>Russell Wilson</span> had forever and a day to throw the ball. The Cowboys defensive line was very inconsistent in generating pressure on the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a> star quarterback. While the Cowboys did rack up four sacks on the day, the pass rush was very hit or miss. On some plays the Cowboys got pressure, but at other times, what seemed to be the majority, Wilson just calmly chilled in the pocket and waited for his receivers to get open. Or when pressure came he calmly evaded it for yards.</p>
<p id="ClXQtG">The Cowboys secondary gave up some big plays, and some of them were just flat out blown coverages. Other times, they held their own, and considering just how banged up this group was, any time for Wilson in the pocket was a killer.</p>
<h3 id="4KRupo"><strong>2. Why is the special teams so terrible?</strong></h3>
<p id="0wJFG1">Last week, it was easy to forgive a unit that failed to execute most of the day because they left us with that game-winning watermelon kick. Collectively, it was still pretty bad, and that badness infiltrated this weeks game as well. Can anyone explain to me why they keep having <span>Tony Pollard</span> attempt to run back kickoffs? We get that he was really great at this at Memphis, but it’s time to re-visit a different plan because things are just not working out.</p>
<p id="5Zhd7e"><span>Greg Zuerlein</span> was the hero last week, but two extra points weren’t so extra this week. Granted, one of them wasn’t his fault as the blocking arrangement allowed a short, uncontested path to block the kick.</p>
<p id="8ga67f">They have to get things sorted out because these negative plays are hurting the team.</p>
<h3 id="2vJ9iD"><strong>3. Battle of the second-round steals</strong></h3>
<p id="o7iYGz">It was fun to watch D.K. Metcalf and <span>Trevon Diggs</span> battle it out. Last year, the Seahawks scored when Metcalf slid to them late in the second round, and Cowboys fans felt that same level of good fortune when Diggs was there for them this year in the second round.</p>
<p id="16LJz1">Metcalf is a big, physical receiver, and he filled up the stat sheet nicely with a four-catch, 110-yard performance that included the go-ahead touchdown. Credit Diggs for a hard fought battle, and nobody will forget that touchdown saving punch out on Metcalf. The rookie corner was all over the field and even led the Cowboys defense with nine tackles on the day.</p>
<h3 id="Ys3vqy"><strong>4. The offensive line shuffle</strong></h3>
<p id="NaDqg6">It’s hard to believe that the only normal starting offensive lineman playing his original position in the latter part of the game was left guard Connor Williams. After apparently seeing enough of right tackle fill-in <span>Terence Steele</span>, the Cowboys moved <span>Zack Martin</span> to the outside. The move also slid starting center <span>Joe Looney</span> over to the right guard spot for <span>Martin</span>. That meant it was time for the debut of rookie <span>Tyler Biadasz</span>.</p>
<p id="dOPc9e"><span>Dak Prescott</span> had his fair share of hurries, and although he only went down twice, they ended up being costly. As it turned out, the two sacks were given up by the two guys who didn’t move out of their spots. Williams gave up the sack/fumble when <span>Jarran Reed</span> got passed him, and <span>Alton Robinson</span> was too much for left tackle fill in <span>Brandon Knight</span> late in the fourth quarter.</p>
<p id="FAUVht">Ultimately, the unit played okay, and credit Martin for an impressive showing at the right tackle position. We have no idea how long the Cowboys will be without their actual starting tackles, but it’s nice to know Martin is now a legit candidate to handle those responsibilities if needed.</p>
<h3 id="NEFU19"><strong>5. Too many second chances</strong></h3>
<p id="dFUPnp">It’s hard enough to stop the Seahawks offense one time, but imagine if you just keep giving them extra chances. That’s what happened on multiple occasions Sunday. In the second quarter, the Cowboys had stopped the Seahawks on a 3rd-and-10, but it was nullified by an illegal contact penalty by Daryl Worley. Then, later in that same drive, Worley had an interception taken away near the goal line after <span>Jourdan Lewis</span> was called for pass interference. The Seahawks capitalized by finding the end zone three plays later.</p>
<p id="hiQzq1">And while it turned out to be moot, how aggravating would it have been if the Cowboys scored a touchdown on that last drive only to just tie it up rather than go ahead because of a second chance two-point conversion courtesy of Trysten Hill? After the Seahawks failed on their initial two-point attempt, they got a do-over when Hill was penalized for helmet-to-helmet contact on Wilson.</p>
<h3 id="L16ES4"><strong>6. A horrendous stretch</strong></h3>
<p id="bqaeHz">After the Cowboys forced the Seahawks to punt with a minute left in the second quarter, it looked like Dallas had a shot to jump ahead of them with a field goal drive to end the first half. But it did not go down that way.</p>
<p id="NUrwnX">Instead, Prescott threw an interception with 40 seconds left after <span>Shaquill Griffin</span> jumped <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/30/20838514/amari-cooper-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Amari Cooper</a>’s route. Seattle scored five plays later to go up by eight points. Then, on the opening play of the second half, the Prescott sack/fumble gave the Seahawks the ball at the Cowboys five-yard line. Two plays later, the Seahawks scored again and were then up by 15 points. In just over a minute of game clock, the Seahawks put the Cowboys on the ropes.</p>
<h3 id="rz3clF"><strong>7. Down, but never out</strong></h3>
<p id="l10i0D">Credit the Cowboys for not panicking and putting up a fight after falling behind by 15 points. This makes the second straight game that the team was down by at least 15 points in the second half only to fight back and eventually take the lead. Sure, we’d rather them not fall so far behind in the first place, but it’s still nice to see them show so much resolve when it would’ve been so easy to unravel.</p>
<h3 id="p2k08L"><strong>8. Have yourself a day, Cedrick</strong></h3>
<p id="VcAEeg">Another game, another offensive unsung performer coming out of nowhere. <span>Dalton Schultz</span> was outstanding last week against Atlanta, but on Sunday it was third-year receiver Cedrick Wilson who broke onto the scene. He’s essentially been non-existent up until this point in his career, but against the Seahawks, he caught five passes for 107 yards with two touchdowns. We’ve been waiting for Wilson to find his niche in this offense, and how cool is it to have yet another receiving weapon for Prescott.</p>
<h3 id="hAoAcH"><strong>9. Aldon continues to impress</strong></h3>
<p id="M2mC1D">When the Cowboys put pressure on Wilson, it usually came from Aldon Smith. After a long hiatus from the league, Smith continues to show why he was such a force earlier in his career. He took down Wilson three times, and now leads the Cowboys team with four sacks. This is great news.</p>
<p id="DpN0Ju">The Cowboys are still figuring things out on the defensive line. Still, it’s good to see Smith play so well and know that he’s going to be an integral part of this team’s pass rush for the season.</p>
<h3 id="Zey9E7"><strong>10. Zeke funk</strong></h3>
<p id="M3qizQ">It’s real easy to miss on the gritty work <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/31/20841823/ezekiel-elliott-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Ezekiel Elliott</a> does in a game, especially when he doesn’t have things rolling in the running game. The pass protection, the tough runs, it’s still all there. Elliott finished the game with just 34 yards on 14 carries as the running game never took off. Elliott struggled catching anything Dak threw his way as if he had no interest in having the ball. He also slipped near the goal line that resulted in a safety. Zeke just didn’t seem like his normal self on Sunday.</p>
https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2020/9/28/21459350/ten-thoughts-on-the-cowboys-38-31-loss-to-the-seahawksDan Rogers2020-09-27T21:45:00-05:002020-09-27T21:45:00-05:00Five plays that shaped the Cowboys’ loss to the Seahawks
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<img alt="NFL: Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/a9BCqEONbtA-0AgaYYpRoOj58So=/368x114:2836x1759/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67479345/usa_today_14992000.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Cowboys lost a game that they could have won with fewer mistakes.</p> <p id="WYta9K">The <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Cowboys</a> nearly did it again. After getting down early in the game, the team was so close to pulling off another thrilling comeback victory, but fell just short. With Tyron Smith out again and a banged up secondary incurring even more injuries throughout the game, this one slipped away after a brief lead late in the game. Here are five under the radar plays that were integral to the outcome. </p>
<p id="T7Aw6M"><span><strong>Tony Pollard</strong></span><strong>’s muffed kick return sets up for the easy safety</strong></p>
<p id="aVX3lI">Things started off really well for Dallas. The defense forced a three-and-out against <span>Russell Wilson</span> and then the offense drove down the field on the strength of Dak throwing it everywhere. The drive stalled and they came away with a field goal; Seattle responded with a touchdown to make it 7-3. </p>
<p id="WGIFoI">But the offense was getting the ball back, and <span>Prescott</span>’s hot start gave reason to believe they were going to respond right back. Then Tony Pollard muffed the kick as he was coming out of the endzone. It seemed like he then tried to get back into the endzone to force a touchback, but <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a> players were already too close. The result was a mind-numbing mistake that put the offense on the field inside the 1-yard line. </p>
<p id="xwWBCb">Not surprisingly, the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a> forced a safety on the very next play. You can blame <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/31/20841823/ezekiel-elliott-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Ezekiel Elliott</a> or the blocking on the play itself, but it wouldn’t have even been a possibility if Pollard makes a clean catch and halfway decent return, or just lets the ball go for a touchback.</p>
<p id="urgal8"><span><strong>Greg Zuerlein</strong></span><strong> misses the extra point to keep the game tied</strong></p>
<p id="O3p0ME">Despite the big setback of the safety, the Cowboys’ offense held onto their confidence. After their defense forced another three-and-out, Dallas rolled down the field for a touchdown, taking advantage of Seattle’s porous defense. </p>
<p id="x9uiY8">An extra point would have given Dallas a 10-9 lead, but <span>Greg Zuerlein</span> sliced the ball right, doinking it off the upright. There didn’t seem to be any real reason for the miss - it wasn’t tipped, the hold looked good - but Zuerlein just missed the easy point. In a game that ultimately came down to the wire, this one played a major role in how Dallas handled things moving forward. </p>
<p id="NzMpW0"><span><strong>Trevon Diggs</strong></span><strong> literally punches a touchdown out of </strong><span><strong>DK Metcalf</strong></span><strong>’s hand</strong></p>
<p id="qVMW12">Trevon Diggs has had some (expected) growing pains in his rookie year, but the kid has plenty of heart and talent to match. After the Cowboys tied the game at 9-9 following Zuerlein’s missed extra point, <span>Wilson</span> torched the defense yet again with a bomb to DK Metcalf. The athletic freak of nature blew past Diggs for what would have been an easy touchdown. Would have been.</p>
<div id="rIDtP4">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Great hustle by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DallasCowboys?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DallasCowboys</a> rookie <a href="https://twitter.com/TrevonDiggs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TrevonDiggs</a> <br><br>The <a href="https://twitter.com/dallascowboys?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dallascowboys</a> get the ball back following the touchback.<br><br> : <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DALvsSEA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DALvsSEA</a> on FOX<br> : NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: <a href="https://t.co/9RobDGGsOD">https://t.co/9RobDGGsOD</a> <a href="https://t.co/VmY5N6A4Rl">pic.twitter.com/VmY5N6A4Rl</a></p>— NFL (@NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1310327046145363968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2020</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p id="YFntSe">Metcalf tried to get cute by holding the ball out with one hand while slowing down to a light jog, and Diggs caught up to the receiver and swept his arm up to punch the ball out. The ball flew out of the back of the endzone, creating a touchback. The game was literally a yard away from being a 16-9 Seahawks lead, but Diggs’ hustle play kept it tied up. </p>
<p id="MauJij"><strong>Greg Zuerlein’s next PAT gets blocked</strong></p>
<p id="Ok7JES">The score remained locked up at nine apiece for a while, but after the Seahawks took a touchdown lead, Dak hit <span>Cedrick Wilson</span> for a 40-yard catch-and-run touchdown, the first of his career. It looked like the Cowboys were about to tie things right back up in just three plays. </p>
<p id="ujqIUO">But Zuerlein’s kick was inexplicably blocked, making him 0/2 on extra points for the day. The Seahawks just got really good pressure around the edge and managed to get in front of the ball, barely tipping it to throw the kick off course. </p>
<p id="au1OaL">Not only did this take another point away from the Cowboys, but it ended up playing a huge role in the game. In the fourth quarter, the Cowboys scored a touchdown and, because of Zuerlein’s two missed PATs, had to go for two. They ended up not converting, but if those points had made it onto the scoreboard then it’s a tie game at that point instead of a two-point deficit. And then when you consider that safety, it’s easy to see how these three mistakes dramatically changed the team’s approach. </p>
<p id="mAKopa"><span><strong>Trysten Hill</strong></span><strong>’s roughing the passer penalty gives Seattle another chance for two</strong></p>
<p id="BbygUO">Trysten Hill deserves a lot of credit for his glow-up this year, going from a routine healthy-scratch player last year to a starter and key cog on this year’s defensive line. But the second-year defensive tackle made a big mistake at a crucial point in the game. </p>
<p id="k5pRBY">With just under two minutes left in the game, <span>Wilson</span> threw a strike to Metcalf to retake the lead and go up 36-31. Naturally, Seattle lined up to go for two. If the defense managed to stop them, then all it took was a touchdown to win. They make it and a touchdown means overtime. </p>
<p id="ybRuYi">Initially they didn’t get it, as <span>Wilson</span> overthrew his man. But Hill, who came barreling into <span>Wilson</span> on the play, hit the quarterback in the head. Flags went flying for an obvious roughing the passer penalty, which gave the Seahawks another shot. They converted this time, making the Cowboys’ path to victory that much harder. </p>
https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2020/9/27/21459152/five-plays-that-shaped-the-cowboys-loss-to-the-seahawks-dak-prescott-russell-wilson-trysten-hillDavid Howman2020-09-27T20:45:00-05:002020-09-27T20:45:00-05:00Five winners and five losers from the Dallas Cowboys loss to the Seattle Seahawks
<figure>
<img alt="NFL: Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/UFeE7Yzov_CAsDH7TdSu5LUHFLI=/0x0:4289x2859/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67479151/usa_today_14993286.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Cowboys come up short at they try for another miracle at the end. </p> <p id="z8ZVMX">If you were rooting for the <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> to beat the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a>, you are likely grateful that America’s Team plays in the NFC East. They lost, but their playoff hopes look about as bright as they could all things considered.</p>
<p id="JHxX9x">Nobody wants to focus on that today though, obviously. The <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Cowboys</a> lost and we demand answers. If not for a kick named after a fantastic summertime fruit, the Cowboys would be winless as October approaches. Thankfully they are not, but problems persist.</p>
<p id="G8oc7y">It should of course be acknowledged that the Cowboys have played the <a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Los Angeles Rams</a> (who almost pulled off a win after trailing the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> by a 28-3 margin) and the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> (the team led by this season’s early MVP front-runner). Nobody is trying to make excuses here, but all facts should be considered.</p>
<p id="n88pdH">Sunday afternoon in Seattle produced the passing performances that many anticipated going into it. In the end the Seahawks won and the Cowboys lost, but there were of course a few more winners and losers. Let’s talk about those.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="WjCKrE">
<h3 id="NYn2ux">
<strong>Winner: </strong><span>Cedrick Wilson</span>
</h3>
<p id="3CmXTG">Who would have thought that the first and second touchdowns caught by a Cowboys receiver in 2020 would belong to <span>Cedrick Wilson</span>? Talk about a coming out party.</p>
<p id="hJkfXg">So much of the focus for Dallas since the drafting of <span>CeeDee Lamb</span> has been on their rookie, <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/30/20838514/amari-cooper-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Amari Cooper</a>, and <span>Michael Gallup</span>. All the while a <span>Cedrick Wilson</span> Hive waited and believed, and their faith was rewarded by a 107-yard, two-score performance.</p>
<p id="yLhfnk">Hopefully he will be more involved moving forward.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="Iqx7I1">
<h3 id="w89SLn">
<strong>Winner: </strong><span>Zack Martin</span>
</h3>
<p id="E6dfHE">It is hard to make the winners list when you are already a sure-fire Pro Football Hall of Famer, but <span>Zack Martin</span> was called upon in a different way in Seattle and answered in amazing fashion.</p>
<p id="hMP5Nv">When the Cowboys decided to bench rookie UDFA <span>Terence Steele</span> (spoiler alert, more on him later) they realized that their best combination of offensive linemen required some shuffling around. Fellow rookie <span>Tyler Biadasz</span> jumped up to center (after briefly getting in the game while <span>Joe Looney</span> got right), and <span>Looney</span> slid over to right guard. This meant that <span>Zack Martin</span> would have to play right tackle for the first time in an NFL game and shocker, he was fantastic.</p>
<p id="lHZMfs">La’el Collins is technically eligible to return from injured reserve in Week 4, but it <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2020/9/25/21455899/report-lael-collins-does-not-appear-on-track-to-return-to-cowboys-in-week-4-when-eligible-to-do-so">doesn’t seem like the idea of that is too promising</a>. Will the Cowboys stick with Martin at right tackle from the jump against Cleveland? We will wait and see.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="jxwUTS">
<h3 id="Rfdswa">
<strong>Winner: </strong><span>Aldon Smith</span>
</h3>
<p id="5rIOoa">It has already been said, but the Cowboys pulled off quite the deal in returning Aldon <span>Smith</span> to the National Football League. He has arguably been the best defensive player on the team three games in.</p>
<p id="vHUanB">Smith had three sacks against the Seattle Seahawks. Read that sentence again (I’ll help you). Aldon <span>Smith</span> had three sacks against the Seattle Seahawks. This was literally his third game since not having played in the NFL in five years!</p>
<p id="AOaR2i">A bit of love should also be shown here to <span>Antwaun Woods</span> who not only appeared at fullback once again but got a sack himself. Of the non-Aldon defensive players on the Cowboys the aforementioned Woods actually has half of the sack total. He and <span>Everson Griffen</span> each have one on the season and Aldon <span>Smith</span> has four all to himself.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="9clSAO">
<h3 id="L1ngBf">
<strong>Winner: </strong><span>Brandon Knight</span>
</h3>
<p id="8ZpmcL">Only one tackle that started for the Cowboys finished the game at his post and it was Brandon Knight. Filling in for <span>Tyron Smith</span> is hardly an easy thing to do but Knight has held his own for two weeks in a row now. </p>
<p id="Hl6tfM">Knight is having the most impact from the 2019 Dallas Cowboys rookie draft class and he went undrafted. If Tyron Smith returns against Cleveland then it makes sense to keep <span>Zack Martin</span> where he is and play Knight on the other side, but it is still a bit early to make those types of assumptions.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="5sEMFJ">
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<strong>Winner: </strong><span>Trevon Diggs</span>’ hustle</h3>
<p id="l8aIxn">When Trevon Diggs poked the ball loose from <span>DK Metcalf</span> I tweeted that it might have been the best play that a Dallas Cowboys cornerback has made over the last five years. That might sound hyperbolic, but try to think of one better.</p>
<p id="Cm3KyX">What’s ironic about this being such a great play is that Diggs got absolutely toasted and beaten which allowed for the greatness to happen. He’s a rookie so this is sort of to be expected, but that was really incredible hustle from Diggs that is indicative of the type of play that we can hopefully come to expect for a long time.</p>
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<strong>Loser: </strong><span>Tony Pollard</span>
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<p id="onACMP">There is no longer any reason to have Tony Pollard handling kickoffs. None.</p>
<p id="fvE7Ih">Pollard was a disaster last week in returning kicks and frequently set the Cowboys up with worse field position than if he’d taken a knee. He didn’t exactly rebound from that performance well as early in this game he stumbled coming out of the endzone, fell down, and put the ball at the team’s own 1-yard line. The Seahawks would go on to record a safety.</p>
<p id="rG8Uey">This would prove to be a critical thing moving forward. Consider that the Cowboys not only lost a possession because of Pollard but they gave the Seahawks two points in a game that was ultimately decided by one possession.</p>
<p id="6IHYWT">Let someone else handle kickoffs.</p>
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<strong>Loser: </strong><a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/31/20841823/ezekiel-elliott-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Ezekiel Elliott</a>
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<p id="hVajYJ">The Cowboys finally tried to use <span>Ezekiel Elliott</span> in the screen game, but to the frustration of fans everywhere they drove that idea into the ground. To make matters worse <span>Elliott</span> continually dropped passes that came his way which hindered what the team was able to do overall offensively.</p>
<p id="uItkME">Zeke was targeted 12 times in this game. 12. Remember that the Cowboys have a wide receiver group of <span>Amari Cooper</span>, <span>Michael Gallup</span>, and CeeDee Lamb, AND that <span>Cedrick Wilson</span> blew up (<span>Noah Brown</span> has made some nice plays, too).</p>
<p id="XMyh5z">That Zeke only caught half of his targets makes matters worse. He looked fantastic in Week 1 and had a rough start against the <a href="https://www.thefalcoholic.com/">Falcons</a>. This game was rough.</p>
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<strong>Loser: </strong>Terence Steele</h3>
<p id="KJXKi4">We made mention of Steele in praising <span>Zack Martin</span>, and to be fair getting benched as an undrafted free agent rookie is hardly something to be ashamed of. Playing in the NFL is hard. Who knew.</p>
<p id="iQbRku">Unfortunately professional football life has come at Steele fast and expectations are supremely high for the Cowboys. This exacerbates the issues he has and unfortunately the Cowboys had to yank him and were much more effective when they did.</p>
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<strong>Loser: </strong><span>Greg Zuerlein</span>
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<p id="BDpXRW">Zuerlein was the hero last week having successfully pulled off an onside kick and game-winning field goal, but that kind of success is short-lived when you stumble in the week after.</p>
<p id="Co1223">We’ve noted that Tony Pollard cost the Cowboys two points with his poor return, well <span>Greg Zuerlein</span> also did by missing two extra points (although one was blocked by an un-blocked rusher). This combination arguably even cost the Cowboys a hidden extra point. Allow me to explain.</p>
<p id="f8SQTk">The Cowboys scored a touchdown early-ish in the fourth quarter that took transformed the 30-22 score to 30-28. They would go on to attempt a two-point conversion that failed, but what if Zuerlein hadn’t missed those extra points and Pollard hadn’t set up the safety?</p>
<p id="OMYCyv">If we assume some really bad things don’t happen to the Cowboys in the lead-up to this situation then the score is 32-30 them after <span>Dak Prescott</span> finds <span>Michael Gallup</span> for a touchdown. There is no need to go for two in this situation so they likely kick the extra point to make it 33-30. If we play out the rest of the game as it went they would have added a field goal to that before Russell <span>Wilson</span> hit DK Metcalf near the end of the game and therefore would have only trailed 38-36 even if Seattle got the two-point conversion that they converted.</p>
<p id="9WpNRC">This means that the Cowboys could have won the game with a field goal near the end and not necessarily have needed a touchdown. There are obviously some hypotheticals involved here but it goes to show how these special teams gaffes can cost a team in the end and that absolutely happened to the Cowboys.</p>
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<strong>Loser: </strong>The secondary as a whole</h3>
<p id="A5klIu">While Trevon Diggs did show some great hustle, the fact remains that he was burnt on that play. He certainly has that in common with his fellow secondary players.</p>
<p id="URRMTZ">Russell <span>Wilson</span> is an amazing quarterback and therefore playing him is obviously a challenge but man, the Cowboys looked absolutely lost in the secondary. Play after play it seemed like there was a wide open Seahawks pass-catcher; consider that <span>Tyler Lockett</span> had three touchdowns at halftime.</p>
<p id="aT77PN">The unit is banged up and depending heavily on the play of a rookie second-round pick, but excuses have worn thin. This group collapsed throughout a lot of the game and was one of the main reasons why the team lost.</p>
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<p id="t7dQt1">Obviously it feels like the sky is falling, but the Cowboys are tied for first in the NFC East and still have 13 games to play. The good news is that the division looks like an abomination, but you don’t want to win it just to get embarrassed in the first round of the playoffs.</p>
<p id="91BIsD">This is a very unique NFL season that has brought with it many challenges never before seen. The Cowboys have undergone a lot of change over the last nine months and all of that has merit.</p>
<p id="KGmggC">But this team has a lot of talent and Mike McCarthy was hired to make the most of it. Three weeks in they are barely treading water and things are not going to get easier from here.</p>
https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2020/9/27/21458794/five-winners-and-five-losers-from-the-dallas-cowboys-loss-to-the-seattle-seahawksRJ Ochoa2020-09-27T19:11:26-05:002020-09-27T19:11:26-05:00Cowboys fall to Seahawks 38-31 in a wild one
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<img alt="NFL: Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ufg7ha9Yct1kI01C6vNyIYnnI5o=/0x0:2964x1976/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67478922/usa_today_14992003.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Dak had moments of great play, and some bad ones as well. | Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>It was a close one that went right down to the end, but there would be no miracle finish for Dallas.</p> <p id="H3DGYV">The battle against the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a>, at their house, was seen from the moment the 2020 schedule was released as one of the toughest challenges they would face - and it proved to be a real challenge. The <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> had to fight their own mistakes as much as anything before losing 38-31 on a last-second interception thrown by <span>Dak Prescott</span>.</p>
<p id="uX6i2O">It was predicted by many to be something of a duel between <span>Prescott</span> and <span>Russell Wilson</span>, and that was how it wound up. Both would have some impressive stats, with <span>Prescott</span> going over 450 yards passing for the second week in a row, while <span>Wilson</span> had five touchdown passes, also his second consecutive week to do so. Both had some strong pressure on them, with the <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Cowboys</a> having their first multi-sack game, for a total of four. Prescott only went down twice, but both QBs were often just getting throws off. It was really <span>Wilson</span>’s ability to escape and then make pinpoint throws that made the difference.</p>
<p id="VUCThv">The Cowboys would trail the entire way before taking a one point lead on a Greg Zeurlein field goal with 3:59 left in the game. Unfortunately, it was too much time, as the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a> would drive down, the pass rush that had been effective many times did not put pressure on Russell <span>Wilson</span> and he dropped a perfect 29 yard TD pass to D.K. Metcalf. A two point conversion pushed it back to a seven point lead, with only 1:47 left. The Cowboys would march as far as the Seattle 22 before the second sack of Prescott set the table for the heartbreaking interception that sealed it.</p>
<p id="ZxLIBB">This game may have been a lot of things, but it wasn’t boring. We saw: The Cowboys open the game with six straight passing plays; <span>Aldon Smith</span> get two sacks; a muffed kickoff by <span>Tony Pollard</span> that put the ball at the one yard line; a safety on the ensuing play by <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/31/20841823/ezekiel-elliott-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Ezekiel Elliott</a> that certainly made the footing in that endzone look questionable; <span>Cedrick Wilson</span>s’ first touchdown; a sure Seattle touchdown by <span>Tyler Lockett</span> denied by <span>Trevon Diggs</span>, who punched the ball out of his hold and got the ball back on a touchback; a forty-eight second, 75 yard touchdown drive; Russell <span>Wilson</span> being pressured but still burning the Dallas secondary too many times except for when they were drawing flags; a <span>Daryl Worley</span> interception that was negated by one of those flags; another <span>Ezekiel Elliott</span> touchdown with <span>Antwaun Woods</span> as his fullback, two missed extra points by <span>Greg Zuerlein</span>, one blocked and the other just doinked; a <span>Dak Prescott</span> interception that led to a touchdown; and a Cowboys team that seemed to either be making a great play or just blowing it.</p>
<p id="Iz32Py">Oh, and in something that could have long term implications, <span>Joe Looney</span> left the game and <span>Tyler Biadasz</span> came in to play center. So the Cowboys were running with second year UDFA <span>Brandon Knight</span> and rookie UDFA <span>Terence Steele</span> at the tackles and rookie Biadasz at center. It should be no surprise that <span>Dak Prescott</span> was under some strong pressure himself. In the third quarter, <span>Looney</span> was deemed healthy enough to return - but instead of coming back in at center, he took the right guard spot while <span>Zack Martin</span> kicked out to right tackle, sending Steele to the sidelines. The shakeup seemed to work, as <span>Cedrick Wilson</span> would get his second long touchdown reception of the game afterwards. After having to wait so long, this turned out to be a real breakout game for </p>
<p id="UkUkpR">And that was all before halftime. One that ended with the first 23-15 halftime score in NFL history, for you scorigami fans. </p>
<p id="CH0f82">One thing that was evident is that there were far too many mistakes by Dallas, and they just kept it up to start the second half, as Dak was sacked and lost control of the ball, which popped straight up for <span>Benson Mayowa</span> to catch and take down to the Cowboys’ five yard line. A couple of plays and the deficit was 15. </p>
<p id="CFwDts">The contention that Smith is the best defender is hard to argue with, because he got a third sack in the third quarter, and shortly thereafter basically forced Russell Wilson right into <span>Antwaun Woods</span>, giving the latter his first sack of the season.</p>
<p id="ahlWiN">It was really a boom or bust game for the Dallas. Prescott would make some beautiful throws, then just miss one like he did to a wide open <span>Blake Bell</span> on third and one. It forced the Cowboys to go for it on fourth down, the second time they did so. But unlike last week, they converted both of them, and the second conversion led to a <span>Michael Gallup</span> touchdown that pulled Dallas to within two. They still trailed because of those two bungled extra points, and went for two but <span>Noah Brown</span> was just not able to get to the line after catching the ball. </p>
<p id="eFhkk1">Another case of how it was such a wildly up and down game was in the fourth quarter, when a ball that should have been picked off by <span>Ugo Amadi</span> bounced first off his chest and then off his foot for an alert <span>Gallup</span> to snatch for a positive play. In general, it was a rough day for both secondaries, which were beat up coming into the game.</p>
<p id="THDcfQ">Something that was a real issue last season reared its ugly head. Dallas faced bad field position all game long. Some were definitely due to the special teams, but others were just how the battle of field position played out. However, those two failed extra points definitely go on the ledger for John Fassel’s bunch.</p>
<p id="cpLCfw"><span>Elliott</span> was very quiet in this game. He didn’t have much room running the ball, and at least two clear drops, although he did get a one yard touchdown run. Neither team had much of a ground game, as this was a duel between the quarterbacks all the way.</p>
<p id="SQSyNl">Perhaps that string of pass plays to start things off may have indicated that the thrust of the game would be to put it on Prescott’s arms and into the arms of the wide receivers. That last bit might have been the best thing they could have done, as <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/30/20838514/amari-cooper-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Amari Cooper</a>, <span>CeeDee Lamb</span>, <span>Gallup</span>, Wilson, and <span>Brown</span> all had catches. The emergence of Wilson, who had basically done nothing so far in his career, really strengthens the case for Dallas having the best wide receiver group in the league. When you can roll out four wideouts in a game and they all get at least 65 yards catching, you have something going on. Especially when <span>Gallup</span> was leading the way with 138 yards and that touchdown.</p>
<p id="WERatF">It was all too much for the Cowboys to overcome, but one thing was in their favor: By the time they started their game, the rest of the NFC East had lost their games. Well, except for the <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a>, who tied the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a>. So the Cowboys remain tied for the “best” record in their division at 1-2. Next up are the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a>, who actually have a winning 2-1 record.</p>
<p id="oPEuFP">There were a lot of mistakes that led to the Dallas defeat. If they can clean a few up, that offense can get some things done.</p>
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https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2020/9/27/21458769/dallas-cowboys-fall-to-seattle-seahawks-38-31-in-a-wild-oneTom Ryle