Photo Credit: Dallas Cowboys
FRISCO, TEXAS — In Sunday’s crazy 40-39 whirlwind victory over the Falcons, the Cowboys’ tight ends stepped up. Both Blake Bell aka the “belldozer” and Dalton Schultz factored in heavily showcasing their blocking and pass catching abilities.
With both starting tackles out against the Falcons, Dallas utilized Blake Bell up front to assist with pass protection. In looking back at tape throughout the lengthy ballgame, Bell blocked his tail off. He was rarely out leveraged and stayed on his guy in the one-on-one matchup at the line of scrimmage longer to provide Dak Prescott more time to release the ball. No.80 helped secure a clean pocket and ran fluid routes when asked to do so. The 29-year-old was predominately used as an in-line blocker, which was the reasoning behind his signing in the offseason, but Bell knew how to work in space as a pass catcher.
With Blake Jarwin on injured reserve, Dalton Schultz had more opportunities in the passing game. After the Cowboys’ concerning start on offense and an early fumble by Schultz among others, he led the team in receptions with nine and had the only receiving touchdown in the game. In critical moments, he got open and moved the chains for Dallas. The Stanford product was the reliable go-to-target for Prescott and his chemistry is developing with the QB as his confidence grows.
The Cowboys used more 12 personnel, two tight end sets against Atlanta and it paid off. On big gains to both Michael Gallup and Amari Cooper, Bell and Schultz were on the field opening up opportunities in the passing game for their teammates.
On the impact of Bell and Schultz, Mike McCarthy told D210Sports, “ I thought they both played well and graded out well. The throw and catch on Dalton’s touchdown is an outstanding play, to go back door like that on the throw, and Dalton with the late hands, those are the big plays that you need to win in our league. “
