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Who’s got two thumbs and is 7-1? The Dallas Cowboys, that’s who.
The Dallas Cowboys are on all kinds of fire, and they proved it with an emphatic win in Cleveland on Sunday. On Monday you and I celebrated this with another rendition of #VictoryPoloMonday, and now we need to actually discuss what happened.
We’re no longer talking about a few games or a nice little streak. We’re talking about one of the best teams in the National Football League, and one that needs to be taken very seriously. We’re talking about how the Dallas Cowboys showed up and flexed their muscle in Cleveland. Here are my 10 Takeaways From The Cowboys Big Win In Cleveland.
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Jason Witten Can Still Get It Done
Death, taxes, and Jason Witten is awesome.
‘Ol man Witten is still getting it done in his 14th NFL season, and he’s getting it done at an insanely high level. When the Cowboys traveled to Cleveland on Sunday and the Browns decided to take away Dez Bryant, Jason Witten made them pay.
Rookie quarterback Dak Prescott looked Witten’s way a total of 10 times on Sunday, and he connected with him eight times for 134 yards. 134 yards. Jason Witten. In his 14th season!
It really is amazing how Jason Witten is continually great, in new and innovative ways… but always with a classic touch. Respect the legend.
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Gavin Escobar Is Alive
We’re in the month of November so you’re undoubtedly looking forward to some high-octane Thanksgiving action in a few weeks. It’s a special holiday that comes once a year, and one that’s deliciousness lasts throughout it.
The last time Gavin Escboar caught a pass in an NFL game was Thanksgiving… 2015. Seriously. Gavin Escobar had gone almost a full calendar year without catching a pass, until Dak Prescott found him in the endzone.
One catch for two yards. Welcome back to the world, Gavin!
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Maliek Collins Is A Big Part Of The Cowboys Defense
The Cowboys are getting tons of fanfare for two rookies – a rarity in the NFL – but they have a third who is balling out as well. Maliek Collins is a stud!
The only two defensive linemen who saw more playing time than Maliek Collins in this game were DeMarcus Lawrence and Tyrone Crawford. Maliek is the man, and he proved it when he produced two sacks to get on the board for his career.
It’s no secret that the Cowboys pass rush isn’t their strength, but they seemingly have a solid amount of depth at the defensive tackle position. Tyrone Crawford, Maliek Collins, Terrell McClain, and Cedric Thornton would all be starters everywhere else. The Cowboys use who’s on fire, and right now that’s Maliek Collins.
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Dan Bailey Continues To Be Excellent, Even In Hidden Ways
One of my Bold Predictions for this game included the golden foot – and indefinable swagger – of Dan Bailey.
Inside The Pylon’s Chuck Zodda pointed out that Dan Bailey has a tendency to alternate which hash mark he attempts extra points from. Danny boy did it again in this game! How awesome is that?
Coach Garrett told ESPN San Antonio’s The Blitz on Monday that Dan “has a feel” for where he wants to attempt extra points. All of the points… give them to Dan Bailey. He is king.
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Dak Prescott Didn’t Force Anything To Dez Bryant
When Dez Bryant returned from injury last week against the Philadelphia Eagles, we saw rookie quarterback Dak Prescott favor him a little bit more than other receivers.
It would be very difficult for a quarterback to not always throw Dez Bryant’s way, because he’s the man. Dak learned from last week – arguably his worst individual performance this season – and got back to putting the ball on the open receiver.
The Cleveland Browns were very intent on eliminating Dez Bryant from this game. While they seemingly did, it was that element that helped the Cowboys have success elsewhere. Dez contributed significantly, Dak Prescott just let it happen as opposed to trying and fight it.
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Dak Prescott Showed A Ton Of Leadership
It’s totally alright that Dez Bryant served more of a decoy role in this game, and it’s totally understandable for that to feel frustrating for him.
Witha a 7-3 lead at their back, the Cowboys were driving and trying to score. Dez Bryant had what looked to be a sure-handed touchdown, but he dropped a pass that hit him in the hands (to be fair Cleveland’s Joe Haden was interfering with him).
Dak grabbed Dez after the Zeke TD. Gotta believe he's telling him to be cool. This is a rookie quarterback. pic.twitter.com/kzvETHMRQd
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) November 6, 2016
Dez came over to the sidelines – after the Cowboys scored on an Ezekiel Elliott touchdown – and looked to be upset. We don’t know what was said, but it looked like Dak Prescott grabbed him and calmed him down. Again, it’s totally fine for Dez to be upset with being held/interfered with. It’s great to see Dak Prescott be a leader in these situations.
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Cole Beasley Is The Best Slot Receiver In The NFL
Cole “The Saucemaster” Beasley has turned in game after game this season.
Beasley caught six passes (on six attempts mind you) for 56 yards and a touchdown on Sunday, he is the ultimate point of consistency. When Dak Prescott or whoever else is looking for Cole, he’s always open. He always catches it. He always converts a first down. Cole is amazing.
There’s no denying that Cole Beasley has been the best receiver on the Cowboys this season (considering Dez’s absence for some of it), but he is far and away the best slot receiver in the NFL. There’s nobody more consistent, reliable, or sauce-tastic as him. Bam.
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Ezekiel Elliott Was Quietly Amazing
When members of Cowboys Nation thought about Zeke Elliott taking on the Browns… they envisioned a gigantic statistical performance.
Zeke only carried the ball 18 times for 92 yards (not to mention a pair of touchdowns), but they were amazing. Dallas held the ball for 39:39. That’s incredible! The Cowboys ran Zeke right at the Browns over and over and over again, and then they did it some more.
The pressure on Zeke Elliott was insanely high when the Cowboys drafted him fourth overall, and he’s lived up to every bit of it.
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The Cowboys Defense Got Off To A Little Bit Of A Slow Start
The first two offensive plays for Cleveland went for 16 and 44 yards respectively. That was a bit of a shocker considering this was the Browns.
While the Browns offense certainly has some playmakers, nobody expected them to come out like that. Cleveland threw out some funny offensive formations, and it’s fair to say they confused the Cowboys at first.
Three plays later the Cowboys saw Defensive Lineman David Irving get ejected, and that really woke the defense up. This was the first time all season the Cowboys didn’t start the game with the ball, so the defense isn’t used to being out there early. It was good that they found a way to get in a groove.
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The Cowboys Had The Ultimate Mic Drop At The End Of The Game
Do you know how to tell that the 2016 Cowboys are a legit team? They brought Mark Sanchez in for garbage time. Seriously.
“The Sanchize” not only came into the game, but he threw a pass! And he completed it! For eight yards!
Great teams are supposed to obliterate inferior teams. The Cowboys obliterated the Browns on Sunday, proving that they are an elite team. Life is awesome. Huzzah.
What were your takeaways from the Cowboys win in Cleveland? Let us know! Comment below, Email me at RJ.Ochoa@SlantSports.com, or Tweet to me at @RJOchoa!
