CINCINATTI — Sure, it may have been a matchup between two of the worst teams in the NFL, but a win is a win. The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 30-7 at Paul Brown Stadium. In a much-anticipated performance, the Cowboys played complementary football and got their fourth win of the 2020 season. The club snapped a two-game losing streak to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Here are some notes from the victory:
Takeaways:
A rarity but the Cowboys’ defense had three takeaways early on that set the tone of the ballgame. For the first time in the last 25 years, Dallas forced a turnover on the first three possessions of the ballgame and scored 17 points off of the takeaways. Dallas had accumulated 11 turnovers through the first 13 games of the season and amassed three on Sunday. On the first, DeMarcus Lawrence stripped the ball and Jourdan Lewis recovered, resulting in a Greg Zuerlein 34-yard field goal. The second, Leighton Vander Esch was credited with causing the fumble and Aldon Smith scooped up the football and took it to the house on a 78-yard touchdown run. The third, Darian Thompson forced the ball out and Jaylon Smith recovered, ending in a bullet throw from Andy Dalton to Amari Cooper on a 11-yard touchdown pass/catch. The ball security was so bad that both Bengals’ running backs Trayveon Williams and Giovani Bernard were benched. The Cowboys’ were finally the beneficiary of turnovers, as opposed to inflicting them upon themselves and giving up the ball.
The Red Rifle’s Return:
Quarterback Andy Dalton had a big day against his former team completing 16 of 23 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns. He led the team down the field and had excellent ball placement. Dalton spent nine seasons in Cincinnati as the starting quarterback and had an efficient performance in his former place of residence. He certainly took the field with an extra pep in his step and the offense fed off his juice. With the defensive performance, Dalton did not have to do as much airing the ball out but spread the ball out to his weapons. His go-to target being Amari Cooper, who finished with four receptions for 51 yards and a 12.8 average after the catch. Cooper has had a quiet productive season amidst the team’s poor ranking and the injury ravaged roster. He consistently creates separation with elite route-running ability.
Another Big Day for TP on Special Teams:
Tony Pollard had a 60-yard kick return that gave the Cowboys’ a short field to work with. In addition, Hunter Niswander had several great punts including one that landed inside the ten. Greg Zuerlein struggled against the Ravens last week finishing 3-4 on kicks and made all against the Bengals, including a 55-yarder in the fourth quarter. The unit was able to create positive plays and did not have any untimely unsuccessful fake punts or watermelon kicks.
Secondary Injures Pile Up:
The Cowboys were already thin in the secondary without Trevon Diggs (foot), Chidobe Awuzie (Reserve/COVID-19), Anthony Brown (ribs), and Donovan Wilson (groin) all out. Rashard Robinson, Saivion Smith, and Jourdan Lewis were the team’s starting corners. Saivion Smith suffered a hand injury and exited the game. Rashard Robinson’s injury was undisclosed. He exited the game but returned, still seemingly bothered by an injury that sidelined him for the second time. Chris Westry and Deante Burton came in to replace Smith and Robinson. The shuffling with continue in the secondary to accommodate injuries.
