The Dallas Cowboys returned home to AT&T Stadium tonight, looking to put a good showing in front of their home fans in their second preseason game against the Miami Dolphins. Dak Prescott was once again up for the challenge, as his dazzling performance included four touchdowns – two in the air and another two on the ground – culminating in a 41 to 14 blowout win for the Cowboys.
Before we saw Prescott, Cowboys Nation was greeted with the return of Tony Romo. Romo moved the ball well on Dallas’ opening drive, but three separate holding penalties ultimately ended the drive with a punt. Big plays from Darius Jackson and Cole Beasley were taken away from the Cowboys, whose defense would make quick work of the Dolphins on their initial drive in order to get the ball right back into Romo’s hands.
Three plays after a Tyrone Crawford third down sack, Romo was back out on the field zipping passes to Dez Bryant and Jason Witten. Working with good field position, these plays put the Cowboys past midfield, where Alfred Morris was able to finish off the drive.
From 15 yards out, Morris cut past left tackle Chaz Green and into the end zone to put the Dallas Cowboys ahead 7-0. This would be all for Tony Romo in his 2016 debut, as he looked sharp on this 6 play drive that covered 72 yards.
Ryan Tannehill and the Dolphins looked prime to answer the Cowboys’ scoring march on the ensuing possession, but Rod Marinelli’s defense would tighten up in the red zone thanks to Morris Claiborne.
The confident corner got his hands on two passes, ending Miami’s drive with a pass breakup in the back of the end zone on fourth down. The stop brought out electrifying rookie Dak Prescott, backed up near his own goal line.
Naturally, Prescott was able to rely on his offensive line and running game, while making some big time throws of his own, as he calmly drove the Cowboys 95 yards for a touchdown. Prescott once again hooked up with Dez Bryant in the end zone, as Bryant’s 28 yard score put the Cowboys ahead 14-0.
After threatening for a touchdown on their first offensive drive, the Dolphins answered this drive by Dak with a touchdown of their own. On this drive, the Dallas defensive line failed to create much pressure.
When they did, it was Ryan Russell screaming off the edge, and unfortunately getting called for a roughing the passer penalty that merely extended the touchdown drive. Tannehill hit Kenny Stills for what would be his first of two touchdowns from 13 yards out to put the Dolphins on the board.
The Cowboys’ starters would exit after this drive, once again leaving the game with the lead. Working with the second team offensive unit, Prescott would watch Alfred Morris continue to run through the Miami defense with ease before having a touchdown rush called back. Taking matters into his own hands, Prescott timed a perfect fade pass to Brice Butler, who leaped up for the acrobatic catch in the front of the end zone.
Butler’s acrobatics drew an offensive pass interference call, leaving Dak just one more option. Prescott escaped the pocket to his right and bolted up the field for his first career rushing touchdown – scampering in from 20 yards out.
Kenny Stills and the Dolphins would once again answer with a touchdown, as the Cowboys’ second team defense took the field, but the spotlight continued to sign on Dak Prescott. On the seventh drive of his Cowboys career, the Cowboys put up points for the sixth time, as Dan Bailey nailed a 51 yard field goal to extend the lead to 24-14. Bailey would add another field goal before the half, as Shaneil Jenkins used his long arms to force a fumble and give the Dallas defense another turnover.
Darius Jackson was unable to punch the ball in on two carries, but the Cowboys hit the locker room with a 27-14 halftime lead over the Dolphins.
In the second half, with Cowboys Nation still buzzing about Prescott, the Cowboys’ defense picked up where they left off to preserve the lead. Another Jenkins play behind the line of scrimmage gave the ball right back to Dak at the start of the third quarter following a Miami punt, and Prescott needed just two throws to Brice Butler to put up more points.
First connecting for 58 yards, Prescott looked for Butler on the very next play of the drive, finding him in the end zone to put Dallas ahead 34-14. Prescott would later call his own number for one final Cowboys’ touchdown, as a Vince Mayle blocked punt set up a one-yard QB sneak.
Another ridiculous night from @15_DakP.
Every throw from Dak's second preseason outing ???? #MIAvsDAL https://t.co/1aEJO2e5iS
— NFL (@NFL) August 20, 2016
His fourth touchdown of the night helped him steal the show once again, as the Cowboys came away with the decisive victory at home. They looked mostly sharp while doing so, and more importantly moved onto week 3 with no major injuries.
Linebacker Mark Nzeocha did leave the game in the first half with an Achilles injury and did not return, but it did not look overly serious. We will keep you updated on any injury news throughout the week as the Cowboys will be heading to Seattle to face the Seahawks on Friday.
Until then, share your thoughts on the Cowboys’ first win of 2016 with a comment below! Let us know what you liked, what you didn’t like, and what you need to see leading up to week 3!
For more, also make sure you check out Staff Writer RJ Ochoa’s post game edition of the RJ Ochoa Show, as Inside The Star Staff Writer Jess Haynie will join RJ to break down everything we saw from tonight’s action.
