Dallas Cowboys Return to Form Heading Into Bye Week

When does two-fifths matter? When it’s lyrics in a Run-DMC song (My Adidas) and both starting offensive tackles for the Dallas Cowboys! Couple that fact with getting a starting wide receiver back in the lineup and the Dallas offense took off against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Cowboys defense also had a resurgence on its side of the ball causing three fumbles and an interception. Overall, the first three game Dallas Cowboys showed up winning 37-10 against its NFC East opponent.

The Dallas defense went straight to work causing two of four turnovers early in the first quarter. Usually after a fumble, offensive ball carriers have ball security reemphasized to them as being a key factor that needs to be eliminated. It didn’t matter what was said as Dallas continued to dislodge and rip the ball away from the Eagles as if they had stolen the Cowboys Halloween candy. Conceptually, Philly had taken the candy and Dallas wanted it back and they got it. The four turnovers crushed any ideas that the Eagles were going to create any type of scoring barrage in Arlington. The real concern of the night for Dallas is the health of star linebacker Leighton Vander Esch who was taken out of the game with an injury.

The Cowboys offense was just as impressive as the defense on a night Dak Prescott broke Roger “The Dodger” Staubach’s quarterback TD rushing record with his twenty-first (21) rushing touchdown. He also threw a touchdown pass as well. Ezekiel Elliott had his customary 100-yard plus night as he gobbled up 111 yards and a touchdown while Amari Cooper got open against Philly at will and had 100-plus yards receiving also (106). To be fair, let’s not forgot placekicker and fellow Nebraska alum Brett Maher who kicked an NFL record third 60-plus yard field goal as well in this game.

The Cowboys have regained the top spot in the NFC East and have a bye week to get healthy and rest. Earlier today, the Cowboys acquired veteran defensive end Michael Bennett from the New England Patriots in exchange for a seventh round pick that could become a sixth rounder. Next weekend, Dallas will travel to New York to play another division rival. If the team continues to play as they have in games 1-3 and 7, they should have little difficulty in keeping pace and beating the Giants in the Meadowlands. If they play like games 4-6, it could be an ugly toss-up. So, lets take up matters from the last game victory and focus on continuing the trend. Enjoy the week off.