Cowboys/Panthers Review: Dak, Zeke, and the Defense Lead the Way to Third Straight Victory
Last week, the Dallas Cowboys made a statement on Monday Night Football against Philadelphia, beating them in an embarrassing fashion. This week, while the score looked closely, the Cowboys had a convincing win over the Carolina Panthers by a score of 36-28. Let us dive into the Cowboys winning formula on offense, while a star continues to from on defense for Dallas.
Game Details
While the score was 36-28, it was a lot more convincing than that. Through three quarters in change, the Cowboys were up 36-14 before two garbage-time touchdowns were scored by the Panthers. In the win, QB Dak Prescott was efficient and effective, going 14/22 with 188 yards and four touchdowns. For the second straight game, Prescott had a Passer Rating above 130.3. The ground game was good yet again, led by HB Ezekiel Elliott. Zeke had 20 carries for 143 yards and a touchdown in the victory. In the air, Amari Cooper, Dalton Schultz, Cedrick Wilson, and Blake Jarwin scored touchdowns, with Cooper leading the way with 69 yards. Defensively, Dallas sacked QB Sam Darnold five times, including two from DE Randy Gregory. Rookie Micah Parsons had another sack, bringing his total up to 2.5 for the season, which leads the team. CB Trevon Diggs also had two interceptions in the victory.
On the short end of the game, Sam Darnold went 26/39 with four total touchdowns and two interceptions. With HB Christian McCaffrey out due to a hamstring injury, rookie HB Chuba Hubbard led the way with 13 carries for 57 yards, averaging 4.4 yards per carry. WR D.J. Moore considered his strong start, catching eight balls for 113 yards and two touchdowns. In a struggling defensive effort, the Panthers did not force a turnover and did not record a sack in the game. Despite this, Carolina still ranks top ten in all points allowed, total yards allowed, passing yards allowed, rushing yards allowed for the season.
Running Equals Success
Even though the Cowboys have a high-powered offense on their receiving core, they are at their best when they are running the ball early and often. In this game, Dallas rushed for a whopping 245 yards with Elliott leading the way with 143, which included a 47-yarder in the second half. This is the third straight game they have more total rushes than passes and they are 3-0 in those games. Prescott has proven to win the game with his arm, but the less he throws, the more dangerous this offense is because his job will be that much easier. On the season Elliott ranks 342 rushing yards (4th) while averaging 5.3 YPA (8th). His back mate Tony Pollard has 250 yards (13th) and trails only QB Daniel Jones for the highest YPA at 6.8. In total, the Cowboys have averaged 165.8 yards per game on the ground as well, which is second in the league (Cleveland). The Cowboys have a formula for success and their offense is almost impossible to stop when they can run the ball as they have been.
Diggs Continues Hot Start
Last year, the Cowboys selected CB Trevon Diggs, brother of Stefon, in the second round of the NFL Draft. While he had a successful rookie season, it often got lost because of how poorly the Cowboys defense played. In year two, Diggs has taken a huge step forward and has been one of the best corners in football through the first quarter of the season. In four games, Diggs already has a league-leading five interceptions, including a pick-six, and eight passes defensed, which also leads the league. He also has not given up a touchdown this season when targeted this season. He has been the lockdown corner the Cowboys desperately needed and has given a huge boost to the secondary. If Diggs can keep this up, the Cowboys defense is in good shape.
Darnold Continues Success
Despite the loss, QB Sam Darnold had himself a solid game. While it was his worst game of the season based on passer rating, Darnold still played very well. The Panthers QB went 26/39 with 301 yards and four total touchdowns (two rushing), while also throwing two interceptions. With the two rushing touchdowns, Darnold now leads the league with five of them. Darnold has posted a stat line of 67.8% CMP, 1,189 yards, 10 total touchdowns, 3 INT, 95.4 RTG through four games. Based on where he was last season, this is a massive step forward for the young quarterback. Carolina should be fine as long as they get McCaffrey back healthy and Darnold continues to play at a high level.
Looking Ahead
Heading into Week 5, the Panthers will look to get back on track at home against the Philadelphia Eagles (1-3), who have lost three straight games since Week 1. As for the Cowboys, they will go to battle with their division foe, the New York Giants (1-3) who are coming off their first win of the season. Dallas will be the home team in this divisional matchup.
Info from profootballreference.com
Schedule from nfl.com
-By: Richie Dordas