DETROIT, Michigan — The Dallas Cowboys beat the Detroit Lions 35-27 with another dominant passing game performance. The Cowboys finished with 509 total yards, 434 passing and 75 rushing. Ezekiel Elliott was boggled up at the line of scrimmage once again, but Dallas has done a great job compensating with the passing game. The Cowboys have a new identity in throwing the football, which has carried the team the past two weeks. Make no mistake; this is Dak’s team and not Zeke’s.
The slow start woes continued for Dallas in the first quarter. Elliott fumbled the ball on the second play of the game and the Lions took advantage with a two-yard touchdown rush by former Cowboy Bo Scarbrough. On the next offensive possession for Dallas, the Cowboys were forced to punt. The momentum shifted in the second quarter with Tony Pollard’s connection with Dak on a 21-yard touchdown catch. He did a great job staying upright on the underneath route to shed off the tackler and get into the end zone. The passing game clicked throughout the remainder of the ballgame.
The team went on to score two more TD’s in the second quarter:
Prescott’s deep 41-yard pass to Michael Gallup set up Elliott’s one-yard touchdown rush. Gallup had incredible concentration on the route and the offensive line did a tremendous job opening up a hole for Zeke at the goal line.
Prescott’s downfield ball to Randall Cobb for 49 yards set up Cobb’s 19-yard TD. Cobb had a dropped ball in the first quarter and resiliently put the play in the past and redeemed on his drive in the 2nd quarter. On his touchdown play, Cobb took a brutal hit but managed to control the football and get into the end zone.
The Cowboys led 24-14 heading into the half with 322 total yards and the passing game continued to excel in the second half with Elliott’s 17-yard touchdown catch. He kept his balance and extended his arm to come away with the catch as he surged forward into the end zone. Tony Pollard then capitalized with the successful two-point conversion to bring the Cowboys to a 35-21 lead in the fourth quarter.
Dak Prescott finished 29 of 46 for 444 passing yards, three touchdowns, and a 116.6 rating. Gallup led the team in receiving with nine receptions for 148 yards and a 16.4 average per catch. Cobb recorded four receptions for 115 yards and a 28.8 average per catch.
Following the game Cobb stated, “ On third down, we have to be the ones moving the sticks.” The team has done a good job adjusting the game plan with Zeke being stuffed and carrying the weight. Gallup and Cobb stepped up in a big way creating separation on routes for Dak to target with Cooper dealing with injury in the game.
Overall, the Dallas defense was once again not effective against the run. The unit struggled with tackling in space and bad angles. Bo Scarbrough consistently found seams and Jeff Driskel was able to extend plays on the run. The Lions finished with 121 rushing yards and both Driskel and Scarbrough broke for 23-yard runs against the Cowboys’ D. They have to do a better job rallying to the football and finishing tackles.
Robert Quinn made an impact in the game with a sack on Driskel and four QB hits. Michael Bennett also created pass pressure with two sacks and a QB hit. Darian Thompson (one), Leighton Vander Esch (one), Chidobe Awuzie (two), and Anthony Brown (one) all tallied pass defections.
The message Jason Garrett gave to the team in the locker room after the game on the team’s performance,“ Fight longer, fight harder.”
