Dallas Cowboys: Stock Up, Stock Down Following Week 10 Loss
The Dallas Cowboys (6-3) lost a heartbreaker in overtime to the Green Bay Packers (4-6). Up 14 points in the fourth quarter, the defense, which has been solid for much of the year got bullied on the ground of over 200 yards, and the secondary was beaten by the rookie coming out party of Christian […]
The Dallas Cowboys (6-3) lost a heartbreaker in overtime to the Green Bay Packers (4-6).
Up 14 points in the fourth quarter, the defense, which has been solid for much of the year got bullied on the ground of over 200 yards, and the secondary was beaten by the rookie coming out party of Christian Watson.
Offensively, it was a mixed bag. A largely impressive performance from Dak Prescott, with a pair of interceptions that weren't entirely on him but missed many open windows when needed.
The talk of the game is definitely WR CeeDee Lamb, who had a fantastica game being covered by the elite Jaire Alexander. Unfortunately, no other receiver was able to leave an imprint. Creating even more Odell Beckham Jr talk around The Star.
Next week they will play the first place Minnesota Vikings (8-1) and their start-studded offense. Once again, no cake walk.
Despite the negative feelings, there were plenty to like about the game. Particularly on the offensive side of the ball.
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. Or at least, are expected to.
Stock Up
- DL DeMarcus Lawrence – Undoubtedly the Cowboys best composite defensive lineman of the season is Tank. Stopping the run and rushing the passer. Leading the team (7) Lawrence wreaked havoc on Rodgers for most of the game, bringing him down once and applying pressure for most of the game.
- WR CeeDee Lamb – No doubt CeeDee Lamb was the offensive star of the game with 11 receptions for 150 yards and two touchdowns. He later would admit to a miscommunication with QB Dak Prescott that led to the Cowboys second interception, but largely was ungradable, without being held.
- Edge Sam Williams – The rookie has gotten progressively better as the season's gone along. Sacking Aaron Rodgers once and two pressures on only 17 defensive snaps played.
- LB/ST Luke Gifford – Gifford played like a star. With five combined tackles and a fumble recovery on 26 snaps. All on special teams!
- RB Malik Davis – While Tony Pollard is getting the majority of the attention from the backfield (deservedly so), the undrafted rookie got an uptick in carries, displaying his powerful running. With only five carries, he managed to rack up nearly 40 yards on the ground, averaging nearly eight yards per carry.
- OT Terence Steele – Steele is becoming a revelation. The Dallas Cowboys are getting an absolute beast in the running game, and not allowing a sack. All season, Steele might be playing better than any offensive lineman all season.
- LB Leighton Vander Esch – For all the criticism LVE has faced this season, he played maybe his most impressive game of the season. Playing well in coverage for the game, reading the run, finishing with seven tackles, one for loss. Even coming back after suffering what looked like a serious injury.
Stock Down
- DB DaRon Bland – Plainly put, it wasn't a good day for the rookie corner. He was targeted five times, allowing four catches for 82 yards and a touchdown. He'll get consideration being that he's a rookie but he's allowing 78% completion on the season and needs to play more like he did against Detroit (five yards allowed).
- S Malik Hooker – Bland was responsible for one touchdown, Hooker was responsible for the other two. Hooker isn't always asked to play coverage, usually playing deep and reading the quarterback but was picked on and paid for it by way of rookie Christian Watson.
- WR Jalen Tolbert – It's one thing to not see the field, and it's another to not line up offsides. However, it's another to do all of this, still manage to find playing time and not be able to separate when the Dallas Cowboys needed someone not named CeeDee Lamb to do so.
- The defensive line – The run defense suffered for much of the game. Once again allowing over 200 yards on the ground. Rather than point to one particular player, the entire group gets to share blame for allowing 5.5 yards per carry to opposing running backs.
- DL Chauncey Golston – Being inactive is one thing. It's another to be inactive in a game where stopping the run is key and the coaching staff opts for Tarell Basham instead who's coming off injury. Golston was expected to take a big year two jump but has been largely an afterthought.
- WR Michael Gallup – Whether it's coming back from injury, finding confidence or whatever it is, Gallup isn't playing like the player he's become known to be. Someone with great hands, route running, down-field speed and physicality. Aside from his 23-yard catch, Gallup was only the de facto WR2.
- CB Kelvin Jospeh – Filling in for an injured Anthony Brown for the second week in a row, Joesph came in on the outside. Statistically he did better, giving up 66.7% of passes as opposed to 100%, he was often picked on by Rodgers and was also a liability in run defense. However, I don't count the blocking in the back penalty against him, as it was obviously a bad call.
Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK
