Dallas Cowboys drop season opener to Los Angeles Rams
The Dallas Cowboys opened up its 2020 regular season with a 20-17 loss to the Los Angeles Rams inside the brand new SoFi Stadium. Dallas never truly go things going in the manner that many expected. The offense looked good at times, but too many first down runs and questionable play-calling prevented the unit from […]
The Dallas Cowboys opened up its 2020 regular season with a 20-17 loss to the Los Angeles Rams inside the brand new SoFi Stadium.
Dallas never truly go things going in the manner that many expected. The offense looked good at times, but too many first down runs and questionable play-calling prevented the unit from really getting into a rhythm.
Dak Prescott finished the season opener with 266 passing yards on 64 percent and a touchdown toss to running back Ezekiel Elliott for the Cowboys. Prescott threw a beauty of a pass to wide receiver Michael Gallup (three catches, 50 yards) on the game's final drive, but the play was called back due to offensive pass interference — which was questionable, at best.
Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and head coach Mike McCarthy decided it was best to feed Elliott early and often on Sunday evening. The Cowboys running back carried the rock 22 times for 96 yards and a score.
While Elliott had some impressive moments throughout the game, including somehow finding the end zone while being surrounded by a group of Rams defenders, the Cowboys struggled to get things going when feeding their back early in drives.
Amari Cooper finished as the team's leading receiver with 10 receptions for 81 yards. Cooper had a big drop late in the fourth quarter on a play that would have moved the chains. CeeDee Lamb recorded five catches for 59 yards in his debut.
A key moment in the game occurred when Lamb was stopped just short of the line of gain when the Cowboys decided to go for it on fourth down with 11:46 remaining instead of kicking a field goal to tie it up at 20.
Tight end Blake Jarwin entered his third season with some hype, but the tight end left the game early due to injury. It was a non-contact play, and it is being reported that the 26-year old tore his ACL on the play and is out for the season. That is a tough break for a team that already has little depth at the position.
In more injury news, the Dallas Cowboys saw linebacker Leighton Vander Esch — their 2018 first-round draft selection — also leave early. Vander Esch missed time last season with a neck injury, and it appears he will be missing games this season due to a collarbone injury that he suffered during Sunday's action.
The Cowboys placed LVE on injured reserve. It was clear last season how much different the defense is without the Boise State product on the field, and the unit did not fare very well against the Rams rushing attack on Sunday. Players will need to step up in Mike Nolan's defense during Vander Esch's absence.
Sunday night did not go the Dallas Cowboys' way whatsoever. The highflying offense never got off the ground, the defense did force an interception but did not overly impress, and the special teams had some miscues as well.
Dallas has a week to improve on their mistakes before hosting the Atlanta Falcons on September 20th.
Featured image via Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
