The celebrities in Dallas shined brilliant within the regular-season finale, whereas it’s not so sunny in Philadelphia. The Cowboys’ blowout of the Washington Commanders and the implosion of the Philadelphia Eagles, secured the NFC East division crown and the second seed within the playoffs for the Cowboys.
The Cowboys did have some hiccups alongside the way in which, however by early within the third quarter of the sport, the Cowboys have been completely in management towards Washington. Because it was such a dominating efficiency, it’s solely becoming to make an exception and spotlight some pairs that labored very effectively in tandem versus particular person stars. Due to this fact, in the present day’s 5 stars will likely be a little bit completely different.
Dak Prescott/CeeDee Lamb
Pregame situations have been lower than ideally suited for the Cowboys on two fronts. The climate on the subject was windy, and the Cowboys have been with out 2/5 of their beginning offensive line. Nonetheless, that didn’t cease Prescott from torching the Washington Commanders secondary. His decision-making from the pocket was glorious, and his footwork was simply as spectacular. He scanned the sector, made the best the best reads, and put the ball the place it needed to be.
His lone blemish was a tipped cross for an interception, however in any other case, Prescott was sensational. He was 31/36 (86%) on his passing makes an attempt for 279 yards and a QBR of 94.6. He additionally made a number of throws from exterior the pocket, as he has executed all season, and saved his foot on the gasoline towards a Commanders staff that was able to hit the street for the offseason.
This was his finest play of the day.
Prescott prolonged the play from the snap for about eight seconds as he purchased time to provide his receivers room separate from the cross protection. He signaled for his receiver to maneuver barely after which manipulated the protection along with his eyes earlier than firing the ball to Lamb for the rating. After his fourth landing cross for the day, Prescott was serenaded by the “dwelling crowd” in Washington with chants of MVP. The individuals might have a case. Prescott leads the NFL with 36 passing touchdowns and a 69.5 completion share.
Because the earlier tweet suggests, there isn’t a greater connection within the NFL than between CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott. The 2 have a synergy with each other that has seen Lamb flourish as a premier weapon, not to mention a large receiver. Prescott focused Lamb 13 occasions, and Lamb caught all of them for 98 yards and two scores for a passer score of 137.6 when concentrating on Lamb. Lamb can play from any receiver place, and there’s no reply for include him. The Commanders realized the onerous approach. Lamb’s efficiency in Week 18 caps off a season the place he led the NFL in receptions (135) and the NFC in receiving yards with 1749.
Jake Ferguson/Peyton Hendershot
Even earlier than the Cowboys added Luke Schoonmaker within the second spherical of this yr’s draft and Dalton Schultz finally signed with the Houston Texans; the Cowboys had a fairly good steady of tight ends primarily due to the rookie performances of Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot. Whereas some might opine that Brandin Cooks is Dak Prescott’s second-favorite goal, it is likely to be Ferguson. As soon as once more, Ferguson was second on the staff in targets, catching all six for 69 yards.
His receptions included an enormous fourth down throughout the center on a cross he caught away from his physique. He additionally caught a cross within the flat following a play-action bootleg from Prescott the place he eluded tackles earlier than barreling into the protection for a primary down. As for Peyton Hendershot, his lone catch of the day was a spotlight reel second. Hendershot caught a cross from Cooper Rush down the sideline and hopped over Emmanuel Forbes for a 24-yard pickup. Hendershot additionally broke by means of the Washington punt staff to dam the punt of Tress Means.
Brock Hoffman/T.J. Bass
Brock Hoffman and T.J. Bass have been pressed into the beginning lineup by the staff due to the absence of Tyler Smith and Zack Martin. Smith was an extended shot to play, having suffered a foot damage final week. Nonetheless, Martin’s absence was way more sudden due to sickness. Nonetheless, the pair of backups have been able to play.
There was a special aura to the offensive line on Sunday. That’s no slight at Zack Martin and Tyler Smith, who’ve loads of “canine” in them, however the offensive line dominated the trenches behind Hoffman and Bass. Hoffman performed with a tenacity harking back to Martin. He did all he may to get to the second degree of the Commanders’ protection and, in a single occasion, virtually blocked Tony Pollard proper into the top zone for a landing.
TJ Bass allowed 0 pressures by means of 52 cross block snaps vs BUF & DET.
Fairly strong for a backup (particularly a rookie UDFA), however possibly a future starter after a number of years underneath Martin?
— Defy (@defytalkcowboys) January 1, 2024
Bass continued his glorious play in aid of the beginning offensive line towards the Commanders. The run sport appeared as efficient because it had been in a really very long time, and it was due to blocks by Bass on the level of assault. Tyler Smith’s standing for this week is but to be determined, however now we’ve some promising video games from Bass to provide the followers and the coaches confidence Bass can maintain issues down within the meantime.
Rico Dowdle/Tony Pollard
Sunday was a glimpse into what the backfield can appear like with a number of extra alternatives for Rico Dowdle and improved run blocking. Tony Pollard appeared like his previous self. He arrange his blocks effectively and made a number of lateral, sharp cuts to open house with contemporary legs. Pollard additionally chipped in with an amazing catch on a wheel route that he managed to wrestle away from a Washington defender.
Rico Dowdle did it by means of the air and on the bottom. He ran sturdy behind his pads and showcased some misleading pace as he ran away from the Commanders protection. Dowdle’s largest play was a 32-yard catch and run popping out of the backfield. Plus, he did greater than run routes within the passing sport.
The Cowboys working backs mixed for 186 yards from scrimmage. Couple a number of carries from CeeDee Lamb and KaVontae Turpin and the Cowboys have one of the crucial numerous backfields within the playoffs. Don’t be stunned to see Pollard and Dowdle on the sector collectively in some performs within the postseason.
Protection
It’s onerous to highlight just some gamers on protection that stood out as a result of a number of made impactful performs. We’re putting the complete protection as a star of the sport due to what the unit’s collaborative effort says of the protection’s depth. Take DeMarcus Lawrence, for instance. Lawrence has all the time been recognized to be a disruptive power defending the run however by no means garnered the respect he deserves as a cross rusher, typically overshadowed by Micah Parsons. Towards Washington, he was only a step away from Sam Howell and compelled Howell into an interception that fell into the palms of Donovan Wilson whereas recording two passes defended.
Jourdan Lewis fell out of favor with some followers who had a watch on different choices on the slot cornerback spot. Nonetheless, Lewis has recorded a turnover in consecutive weeks after ripping the soccer away from Commanders working again Brian Johnson for a fumble he recovered. DaRon Bland has flourished as a boundary cornerback and grabbed his league-leading ninth interception on Sunday. Dante Fowler, who has ten sacks during the last two years, had 1.5 towards the Commanders. Fowler produces regardless of enjoying 30% of the defensive snaps in 2022 and 25% this yr.
