Dallas Cowboys: Stock Up, Stock Down Following Week Eight Win
The Dallas Cowboys are now 6-2 heading into the bye week after thier latest win over the Chicago Bears. Offensively, it was a dominant performance on air and ground. Combining for over 400 total yards, highlighted by QB Dak Prescott and RB Tony Pollard. A return to form from Kellen Moore and the offense as […]
The Dallas Cowboys are now 6-2 heading into the bye week after thier latest win over the Chicago Bears.
Offensively, it was a dominant performance on air and ground. Combining for over 400 total yards, highlighted by QB Dak Prescott and RB Tony Pollard.
A return to form from Kellen Moore and the offense as they look to get back amongst the ranks of the NFL's elite.
Defensively, it was a mixed bag. Adding pressure and bringing down QB Justin Fields was on display. However, the combination of Fields and RBs Khalil Herbert and David Montgomery rushed for 212 yards and two touchdowns.
As well as seeing Fields take steps as a passer, allowing him to complete 73.9% of his passes for three touchdowns.
However, a win's a win. And a 20-point victory is always sweet, even when noticing shortcomings.
The good news is now the Cowboys get next week off to recuperate. Allow players to get healthy and focus on the out of division rival, Green Bay Packers.
As always, elite players such as Dak Prescott, Micah Parsons or Zack Martin are exempt from this list as they play at elite levels weekly.
Stock Up
- RB Tony Pollard – Undoubtedly, no other Cowboys player had a better overall game than Pollard. On only 14 carries, he managed 131 yard and three touchdowns. All while averaging nearly 10 yards per carry.
- LB Damone Clark – Anthony Barr left with an injury in the game, forcing the rookie to play 40 snaps in his first action following his return from a spinal infusion. He finished 5th on the team in tackles (6) and showed off some impressive speed.
- C Tyler Biadasz – In fairness, Biadasz is actually having a great season overall. But in this game, no sacks or pressures allowed, as well as opening the middle in the running game. Have the Dallas Cowboys found their true heir apparent left from Travis Frederick?
- TE Dalton Schultz – Schultz has struggled with injury and a lack of connection with Cooper Rush. On Sunday, he looked more like himself. Even with sharing time with rookies Peyton Hendershot and Jake Ferguson, Schultz finished as the second-leading receiver with six catches for 74 yards.
- S/LB Jayron Kearse – A solid return to form for one of the Dallas Cowboys best defenders. Leading the team in tackles (8) with two for loss and a sack, while playing much better in coverage after a rough outing versus the Detroit Lions.
- DB DaRon Bland – In the absence of losing Jourdan Lewis for the year, the rookie Bland was asked to step in once again. Delivering a very nice performance with three tackles, a pass breakup and allowing only 25 yards in coverage, splitting time between the nickel and deep safety.
- DT Osa Odighizuwa – While Odighizuwa might be criticized for what might be a lacking area in run defense, he's slowly emerging as one of the league's best pass rushing defensive tackles. Finishing the game with a sack, a tackle for loss, two QB hits and two pressures.
- Edge Dante Fowler – Fowler is having a quietly good season for the Cowboys in rotation, and was by far the best defensive lineman on the field Sunday. Five tackles, two for loss, a sack and a pass breakup. Fowler is undoubtedly Dallas' best free agent addition.
Stock Down
- LB Anthony Barr – With the aforementioned Clark slowly getting more snaps, he's showing just how valuable he is in coverage and run defense. Area's that Barr has been inconsistent all season. After leaving the game with a hamstring injury, it's paving the way for Clark to likely see more playing time at Barr's expense.
- LB Jabril Cox – typically I don't include players who didn't play on these, but Cox's absence is telling. Devin Harper is on IR and Damone Clark is coming off spinal fusion surgery. Despite playing special teams snaps, Cox has been a non-factor and a healthy scratch against the Bears. Why's he in the doghouse?
- DT Neville Gallimore – Even with Trysten Hill no longer on the Cowboys, the addition on Johnathan Hankins complicates the tackle rotation. While Gallimore has escaped speculation he could be released, he struggled against the run versus what is likely (supposedly) the worst offensive line the defense will face all season.
- DB Kelvin Joseph – While Kelvin Joseph has been a dependable special teams' player for the season, he hasn't seen very many snaps on defense. He finally got his chance with Anthony Brown stepping out of the game for a few plays. He was only targeted once, but it was for a touchdown.
- NFL Officiating – Holding no-calls continue to be an issue. Not just the Dallas Cowboys this season, but largely across the league. The NFL continues to back their officiating crew and fine players/personnel who criticize bad or missed calls, while seemingly ignoring this on-going issue.
Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
