Heading into Sunday’s sport, each the Washington Commanders and the Dallas Cowboys had been stricken by accidents. Dallas was with out cornerback Trevon Diggs who was inactive immediately due to a concussion. In the meantime, the Commanders had it a bit worse, enjoying with out each of their prime receivers, Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel. It was a matter of which staff might navigate their damage report higher and reap the benefits of a depleted opposition.
We must be more than happy that the Cowboys did simply that and crushed the battered Commanders for an vital NFC East win. Listed here are the gamers who helped ship the Cowboys to victory. We’re not going to incorporate Dak Prescott right here, we’ve already mentioned his unbelievable play earlier. So we’re going to unfold the credit score round to another gamers.
With out Diggs, the Cowboys had been skinny at cornerback. Gamers like Kaiir Elam and Trikweze Bridges had been tasked with getting vital snaps, making DaRon Bland’s presence much more vital. Bland stuffed the void as a embellished starter with terrific capacity. Bland was nice in all phases and confirmed nice versatility. First, he offered so much in tackling in open house. Early within the sport, after Washington went up 8-7, Bland chased down Jayden Daniels on the quarterback keeper throughout a two-point conversion try to ensure Daniels didn’t convert the attempt. He additionally made a deal with on Jeremy McNichols to make sure that the protection pressured a punt.
Then, Bland was tasked with defending Washington’s greatest out there receivers and was additionally matched up on Zach Ertz, who performed very properly towards him in man protection. Bland additionally capped off a bodily afternoon with a pick-six on Marcus Mariota, enjoying in aid of Daniels, to document his first interception return for landing since 2023, when he had 5 and earned All-Professional honors. It’s a welcome return to type for a protection that desperately wants turnovers.
As a result of the numbers had been inflated towards the top of the sport, it could not appear to be it, however the Dallas run protection was a lot better towards Washington. It began with gamers being of their proper spots. One of many greatest considerations was how Dallas would include rookie working again Jacory Croskey-Merritt. He was a non-factor, working for under 33 yards on 13 carries. Jayden Daniels additionally didn’t do a lot as a runner earlier than leaving the competition both.
A particular nod ought to go to Shemar James for his efforts and to a lesser extent, Kenneth Murray, who performed his greatest sport in some weeks. James and his linebacker counterparts did an amazing job of filling holes and never falling for the misdirection of Washington’s offense. Tied with Murray for the staff lead, James had 9 tackles, together with a sack and compelled fumble that was recovered by Jadeveon Clowney.
After Washington failed to speak who had James on the blitz, he had a free run at Daniels, and James capitalized on the play. With DeMarvion Overshown’s return anticipated within the subsequent month, the Cowboys’ linebacker group is getting James precious expertise, and the rookie linebacker is making the most effective of it. James has extra to study in enjoying extra disciplined together with his eyes, however his physicality is a optimistic that may assist him enhance the totality of his sport with time.
With every passing week, Javonte Williams continues to show why he’s such a cut price. After Sunday, Williams has now his fourth sport with the Cowboys of no less than 80 yards dashing or extra. Whereas sure, he does have sufficient velocity to interrupt away runs and evade defenses, as was the case when he made a clean soar reduce to go away Frankie Luvu reaching for air, then bounce to the skin for a 17-yard acquire, Williams may run with energy and put a staff on his again like he actually did right here:
This run on the finish of the half set the Cowboys up for a landing move to Jake Ferguson, and it was large after Washington scored a landing with lower than one minute left within the second quarter. As of now, Williams has 592 yards dashing on the season, good for second within the NFL.
Williams does such a superb job of discovering hidden yardage, turning a one-yard acquire into three or 4 yards, permitting the offense to remain on schedule and be stronger and unpredictable. When coach Schottenheimer mentions marrying the run and move performs to look comparable, it advantages Williams and the subsequent star on this checklist.
Ever for the reason that commerce of Micah Parsons, the Cowboys have been searching for manufacturing from their different defensive ends. Additionally they introduced in a bit of assist alongside the best way after they signed free agent Jadeveon Clowney. Earlier than Sunday, the veteran had but to have a real influence sport. That’s not the case.
Clowney had his most lively sport towards the Commanders and was all around the stat sheet. He was stable towards the run with 5 tackles; that has been his calling card for some time in his profession. He added a sack, and was even credited with two passes defensed. Plus, he recovered the fumble brought on by Shemar James. It was an enormous day for the veteran.
Seeing how the offense was faring with out Lamb, everybody anticipated the offense to take the subsequent step as soon as the All-Professional receiver returned from his multi-week absence, and man, we had been confirmed proper. Instantly, Dak Prescott and Lamb received heading in the right direction with Lamb working the center of the sector and being a primary goal for brief to intermediate areas of the sector. Lamb had the play of the day when he and Prescott linked on a 74-yard strike.
Lamb really beat the secondary not as soon as, however twice earlier than making the catch in entrance of Marshon Lattimore, who collides with Quan Martin, earlier than Lamb jogs alongside George Pickens for 35 yards for the landing. Proper now, the Cowboys have a humiliation of riches in terms of offensive choices. With Pickens demanding consideration from the safeties excessive, it opens up numerous inexperienced grass for Lamb to dominate. Welcome again, CeeDee Lamb.
