The Dallas Cowboys offense started slow, but came on strong in crunch time to get a 24-6 victory over the Detroit Lions.
This was Dak Prescott’s first appearance since fracturing his thumb in Week 1. QB1 had some rust to shake and had an interception dropped by Detroit’s defense. But all in all, Prescott played well. Dak was 19/25 passing for 205 yards and a score.
The Cowboys successfully exposed a poor Lions rushing defense by steadily feeding Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard throughout the game. Elliot ran for 57 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries (fantasy owners rejoice), and Pollard rushed 12 times for 83 yards.
Dallas’ success on the ground eliminated the need for Prescott to make plays through the air. Though Prescott was accurate on a handful of downfield passes that resulted in big gains.
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Don’t forget about the defense
All the analysis this week will be about how Prescott played. Big media outlets love focusing on the stars.
But the Cowboys defense kept Dak and Co. in the game. Coming into Week 7, Detroit averaged 28 points per game.
Dallas was able to hold the NFL’s third-highest scoring offense to just two field goals. The biggest moment for the defense came in the third quarter when the Lions were on the goal line. DeMarcus Lawrence forced Lions RB Jamaal Williams to fumble and Dallas recovered the ball.
Had Detroit punched it in, Dallas would’ve faced a 13-10 deficit. Instead, the Cowboys were able to maintain the lead and control the game.
That wasn’t the only big play from the defense. Lions QB Jared Goff threw interceptions to Trevon Diggs and Jourdan Lewis.
Goff was also sacked five times; twice by Sam Williams and once by Dorance Armstrong, Micah Parsons and Donovan Wilson. Williams and Parsons stripped the ball from Goff on their sacks.
Williams also recorded two tackles for loss.
Stopping the rush remains an issue
The Lions were without RB D’Andre Swift, and WR Amon-Ra St. Brown left early in the game after suffering a concussion. So Detroit was without its two best offensive playmakers.
This didn’t stop the Lions from rushing the ball at will against the Cowboys defense. Detroit rushed 25 times for 117 yards, averaging 4.7 yards per carry.
Rushing defense has been the Cowboys Achilles heel all season long. Luckly, the Lion’s five turnovers overshadowed its dominant day running the rock.
But Dallas must figure out how to stifle opposing rushers or it will certainly come back to haunt them as the season progresses, or in the playoffs.
