EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The trend continues for the Dallas Cowboys. Despite an improved run game at MetLife Stadium, the defense’s four-takeaway output carried the team to victory. Dallas improves to 10-4 and now have three-straight wins in the month of December. The Cowboys move to the No. 3 seed and can clinch a playoff berth with a New Orleans or San Francisco loss in Week 15.
A serviceable run game and defensive takeaways provided a lead for the Cowboys in the first half. Dallas eclipsed the 100-yard rushing marker in the first two quarters, averaging 5.9 yards-per-carry. Tony Pollard’s lethal jump cuts established a perimeter-based attack. The effective ground game opened up play-action and Connor Williams’ athleticism at left guard, paved the way for pulling at the line of scrimmage and helped get running backs to the edge to move the chains. Dak Prescott also contributed by navigating traffic in the pocket, buying time downfield and extending plays. He seemed more confident and less hesitant in decision-making/movement with legs in the division contest.
In the first quarter, DeMarcus Lawrence got penetration from the interior over the guard. He quickly got up field to tip Mike Glennon’s pass that set up a Jourdan Lewis interception. On the ensuing drive, the Cowboys cashed in on a 13-yard Ezekiel Elliott touchdown. In the second quarter, Lawrence punched the ball out of Saquon Barkley’s hands and Carlos Watkins recovered the football. The takeaway resulted in a Greg Zuerlein 27-yard field goal, to make it a 15-3 ballgame heading into the half at MetLife Stadium.
Other than a connection between Prescott and Dalton Schultz at the back of the end zone for six in the third, the offense stalled. The Giants’ focus was limiting plays downfield by using soft zones, shell coverage and they succeeded — the longest pass play at 19 yards (Michael Gallup). Greg Zuerlein missed the point after attempt and Dallas went scoreless in the fourth quarter. Following Schultz’s touchdown, the ensuing drives for Kellen Moore’s squad: punt, fumble, punt. Following Elliott’s touchdown in the first quarter, three straight field goals resulted on the next three drives prior to the half. Settling for field goals will not allow the team to make a decent run in the postseason. The defense is continuing to frustrate opponents down the stretch, but the trend of a disjointed offense continues against sub .500 teams. Sure, the Cowboys have a notch in the win column, but the streak will end abruptly against steeper competition in the postseason if the offense does not radically improve.
In the fourth quarter, Malik Hooker snagged his first interception as a Cowboy. He undercut a pass intended for Sterling Shepard, but the Cowboys’ offense could not capitalize. Midway through the fourth, Prescott was sacked by Lorenzo Carter and the ball was forced out. The Giants recovered. However, the defense saved the day and iced the win. Mike Glennon threw a deep ball to Kenny Golladay in the end zone and Trevon Diggs was in prime position. Initially, Glennon’s pass was ruled incomplete. Mike McCarthy challenged the ruling, and it was reversed. Trevon Diggs registered his 10th interception. On the following drive, the Cowboys’ offense could not come up with points – a microcosm of the day and the recent perpetual pattern for the Silver and Blue.
Overall, too many plays left on the field by the offense and a unit filled with errors – forcing the defense to provide the spark. Over the last three consecutive games with four takeaways, they have answered the calling. But how realistic is that output? Simply put, the offense must step up.
Following the game, running back Ezekiel Elliott described, “Last week we had a chance to finish the game, we didn’t do it. This week, I think we had a chance to finish the game as an offense, but we didn’t get the job done. That’s the next step …happy for the win, but we have some work to do.”
