You ever had that feeling of something being too good to be true? That feeling where you want to buy into something, but you’re worried that what you’re being presented isn’t what you’ll end up getting? That’s been life as a Dallas Cowboys fan for about the last quarter-century. The Cowboys look great in the showroom, but idle leaving the lot.
I’m here to let you know that Maserati of an offense, and Viper of a defense, are worth paying the sticker price. Even at their worst (two turnovers), the Cowboys were able to score 37 points on offense. Seven of their 10 possessions resulted in points. Sitting at 4-1, Dallas has created some separation in the NFC East, leading the division by two games.
For much of the first half, the Cowboys seemed to get in their own way. Somehow, they managed to take a seven point lead into halftime. Unfortunately for New York, losing Saquon Barkley, Kenny Golladay, and Daniel Jones left the Giants completely overwhelmed in all facets. As the game went on, the differential in offensive firepower became clear. The end result was a 44-20 blowout. As usual, let’s take a closer look and trace this Murder by the Numbers.
6 – Trevon Diggs’ Interception Total This Season
I’m running out of good things to say about Trevon Diggs at this point. I understand the end all, be all, of what makes a great cornerback (it’s not interception totals). However, it’s hard to ignore the pace Trevon Diggs is on. Five games, six interceptions. I’ve already discussed the efficiency of the Cowboys offense but what Diggs is doing is significant.
For years, the Dallas Cowboys defense has been plagued by an incapability to record turnovers. Diggs is exactly what the team and its fans have been clamoring for. It’s an enormous luxury to have a player that’s able to hand the ball back to your offense, if not score himself. The intelligence and confidence with which he plays is nothing short of impressive.
He baits quarterbacks into believing their target is open, before closing the distance with reliable hands. Dallas knows what they have in the 2nd year corner, choosing to pull him from games that are all but decided. We’ll see if opposing quarterbacks start to realize it too.
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57 – Dallas 3rd Down Conversion Percentage
Offensively, Dallas has almost become a perfect storm. The combination of their weapons, timely playcalling by Kellen Moore, and (of course) Dak Prescott, leave opposing defenses in a compromised state. The Cowboys averaged a staggering seven yards per play against the Giants; and unsurprisingly stayed ahead of the chains. More importantly, on their 14 third-down attempts, Dallas had an average of 5.7 yards to go.
The Dallas Cowboys are now 2nd in the NFL in 3rd down conversion rate, with 51% A large contribution to that is the continued success in the run game. This near-perfect storm of offense has thunder and lightning in Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard. Against the Giants, the two combined for 185 yards on 35 carries.
2.9 – New York Giants Yards Per Carry
It’s like watching one person binge eat while another is on a hunger strike. There’s a stark contrast between the Giants and the Dallas Cowboys rushing attack. You have to factor the injury to Saquon Barkley, but its obvious the Giants would try to establish the run for a variety of reasons.
New York was already without Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepherd heading into Week 5, and then were without left tackle Andrew Thomas.
I’d be oblivious if I didn’t acknowledge the Jason Garrett element. It’s no secret the ire Cowboys fans have had for Jason Garrett’s conservative style of coaching, and insistence on establishing the run. That took shape once again.
The Giants carried the ball 25 times and could only muster 2.9 yards per carry. Hats off to the Dallas interior front, whose playing worlds apart from where they were last year. Still, I can’t get away from how different these teams are offensively, and much of that falls on the respective playcallers.
A long-time friend who is a Giants fan texted me during the game. In the sequence of plays that led up to Daniel Jones’ injury, the Giants showed the same formation near the goal line. Four plays. The exact same formation. My response was three words: Told You So.
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9.4 – Dak Prescott’s Yards Per Attempt
You can make the case that this was Dak Prescott’s worst game of the season; A critical fumble near the end zone, a tipped pass resulting in an interception, and a rocky start in a crucial divisional matchup. However, Dak Prescott isn’t somebody to count out He rebounded with 302 yards passing and three touchdowns while completing 68% of his throws.
The offensive line provided Prescott with plenty of time and he delivered. He was decisive; Finding Dalton Schultz multiple times in the middle of the field. He was in control; Holding the safety in the middle of the field with his eyes before dropping a pinpoint bomb to CeeDee Lamb. Simply put, it’s comeback SZN. Dak Prescott seems to get better every week and the numbers are……. killer.
