Dallas Cowboys: Stock Up, Stock Down Following Week Five Win
The Dallas Cowboys are now 4-1 and ready to face off against the rival Philadelphia Eagles for top spot in the NFC East. They are in striking position after a dominant defensive performance from the defense. Especially the front seven pass rush. The heat was put on Stafford and the offense all game, registering five […]
The Dallas Cowboys are now 4-1 and ready to face off against the rival Philadelphia Eagles for top spot in the NFC East. They are in striking position after a dominant defensive performance from the defense.
Especially the front seven pass rush.
The heat was put on Stafford and the offense all game, registering five sacks, 36 pressures and three turnovers! Once again allowing under 20 points for the game.
There were struggles on offense and special teams, but also plenty of splash plays as well.
The running game more than doubled the passing game output, and the special teams showed up when it mattered most.
As always, elite players like Micah Parsons or Zack Martin are exempt from this list as they play at elite levels weekly.
Stock Up
- DT Osa Odighizuwa – Odighizuwa had the best game of the entire defensive line. Leading the way with seven pressures, four QB hits, one sack, two tackles for loss and the game-winning fumble recovery. Most notable was his fourth quarter sack, followed up by a vicious QB hit to create an interception from Malik Hooker.
- Edge Dorance Armstrong – Armstrong is firmly planted in the sack race between Micah Parsons (6) and DeMarcus Lawrence (3) with four on the season. On top of that he's the only player in the league with a blocked punt and blocked field goal on the season. If he can't make the Pro Bowl (or whatever it's called now) as an edge, he definitely should as a specialist.
- RB Tony Pollard – Pollard lead the Cowboys in rushing with 86 yards on only eight carries, including his 57-yard touchdown. Despite playing less snaps than Elliott, Pollard's second gear is proving to be one of the most valuable assets on the offense.
- RBs Ezekiel Elliott – The combination of Pollard and Elliott rushed for 164 yards. However, it should be noted that if you take away the long touchdown run from Pollard, Elliott has almost a full yard per carry more for the game.
- DT Trysten Hill – Hill seems to have found something in year four. As a rotational nose tackle he's showing his power on a consistent basis more than ever. His best game of the year, he finished with a QB pressure, QB hit and tackle for loss.
- DL Sam Williams – Just like Hill, Williams had his best game of the season, after being relatively silent the last few games.
- CB Anthony Brown – Despite Trevon Diggs' early struggles, Brown had his best game of the season. Playing tight coverage and adding some great assistance in run defense as well.
Stock Down
- QB Cooper Rush – Cooper Rush is 5-0 as a starter, 4-0 in 2022. However, this game he looked the most human. Completing 10/16 for 102 yards. Even worse has been his inability to evade pressure, an area the Dallas Cowboys definitely have in Dak Prescott. It's mute, however, as the running game more than doubled his output.
- OT Tyler Smith – To be fair to the rookie, he played well the majority of the games. He left the game giving up a pair of sacks and a forced fumble. All in the first half. But then again, Aaron Donald does this like a habit. Can't be too tough on the young OT.
- LS Matt Overton – Coming off the streets to the practice squad to starting all in the same week is a lot. Even if you're a long snapper. John Fassel's long-time LS Jake McQuaide is out for the season and will need the season if he wants to avoid another bad snap, like the one he started with. This will take time.
- P Bryan Anger – Overton wasn't the only special teams player who struggled. He shanked a punt the week before against Washington and followed it up with a terrible punt out of his own endzone, shanking a 22-yarder to set the Rams up in scoring position.
- CB Trevon Diggs – Statistically his worst game of his career allowing eight receptions for 184 yards and a touchdown. However, 129 of those yards came from the long pass to Tutu Atwell and a long run after the catch from Cooper Kupp. He rebounded in the second half but had a bad start.
- TE Dalton Schultz – Normally, I won't ding players for injuries. They happen. However, he continues to deal with a knee injury he suffered against the Bengals in week two. The same game he last registered a reception. While rookies Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot continue to get snaps in, Schultz's usage and value on the offense become less and less needed in a contract year.
Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
