Surprise playmaker leads Dallas Cowboys players whose stocks are up
The Dallas Cowboys (10-4) are coming off the heels of a disappointing overtime loss to the suddenly hot Jacksonville Jaguars (6-8). After a strong first half, the Cowboys made mistake after mistake allowing Jacksonville to take the lead. Even though Dallas would eventually re-take the lead and even the ball with under two minutes to […]
The Dallas Cowboys (10-4) are coming off the heels of a disappointing overtime loss to the suddenly hot Jacksonville Jaguars (6-8).
After a strong first half, the Cowboys made mistake after mistake allowing Jacksonville to take the lead. Even though Dallas would eventually re-take the lead and even the ball with under two minutes to go, some questionable play calls and an untimely turnover result in the Cowboys latest loss.
The third quarter is the strongest reason. Allowing 17 points, a stalled offense and a costly turnover inside their own 20. Plenty of blame to go around.
However, there are a few notable exceptions. Players who played above expectation and continue to excel, or players who continue to disappoint or who’s future’s are in flux.
As always, high-profile players who’ll factor in weekly such as Dak Prescott, Micah Parsons or Zack Martin are exempt from this list as they play at elite levels frequently. Or at least, are expected to.
This also includes the likes of safeties Jayron Kearse and Donovan Wilson, as well as TE Dalton Schultz and RBs Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard.
Stock Up
- WR Noah Brown – He had an ugly finish to the game, that's true. It's not the first time he tipped a pass in the defender's possession this season. But we can't take away another otherwise solid outing from Brown for the second week in a row. Six receptions for 49 yards and two touchdowns on nine targets when the offense needed anyone not named CeeDee Lamb.
- OT Tyron Smith – Smith played 54 snaps in his return at right tackle. He showed a lot of rust in the first half but as the game went along, he started to show power in the run game and a lot more fluidity in pass protection over Jason Peters.
- TE Peyton Hendershot – The Cowboys rookie tight end was only on the field for 17 offensive snaps. They usually run plenty of multiple tight end looks but ran 11-personnel (1 TE, 1 RB) on 75% of their offensive output. Not only is Hendershot proving to become a valuable run blocker but his ability to catch the ball down the field stays a huge plus.
- C Travis Frederick – Not enough attention is being paid to Biadasz's third year. His run blocking and pass blocking continue to get better and in this game, his lead blocks on side runs were big reasons why the Cowboys were able to move the ball down the field early.
- DL Sam Williams – Easily the Dallas Cowboys best defensive lineman in the game. Williams took snaps at four different positions: edge rusher, 3-technique, nose tackle and outside linebacker. He was their best edge defender across from DeMarcus Lawrence against the run, freeing the ball from the defender and getting to the quarterback twice.
- CB Nahshon Wright – Though it wasn't a spectacular performance, in his only 17 snaps on defense, he was picked on six times. He did give up three catches but wasn't getting burned as we are accustomed. Instead, he used his length in soft coverage to make the receiver work for the ball and played well against the run. Finishing with four tackles.
- Edge Dante Fowler – Though he didn't leave much of an impact in the game, he did add another addition to his family. That in it of itself is a 'W'.
Stock Down
- CB Kelvin Joseph – Before being benched, Joseph continued to struggle in the second half. Allowing 69 yards receiving in coverage and two touchdowns was more than enough to get him off the field.
- The Other Wide Receivers – Michael Gallup had one catch for two yards. That's the only output from the wide receiver position aside from Lamb or Brown. In fact, on the season only 13.7% of the Cowboys passing attack has come from wide receivers outside Lamb or Brown. Gallup by far has the most but had a hard time separating on Sunday, causing Dak to look elsewhere. Why else would they sign T.Y. Hilton and continue to pursue Odell Beckham Jr?
- Offensive Coordinator Kellen Moore – For the first half, the Cowboys offense moved the ball at will. In the second half, the play calling starter to stall, with many questionable decisions. Throwing the ball on 3rd and long instead of forcing Jacksonville to burn their last timeout? Putting your tailback out wide with only the fullback in backfield, just to motion him back like it was supposed to fool anyone? Moore is good with the lead but continues to show problems down the line in these instances.
- OL Josh Ball – One snap. That's it. The Dallas Cowboys opted for Tyron to take the majority of snaps at right tackle and Jason Peters to take the second-most. Looking more and more like Ball will remain the third option to a player returned from injury and a vet who doesn't want to play right tackle in the first place.
- Run Defense – It would take too much time to write down all the players who played poorly against the run. Instead, the entire unit shares the blame. Allowing the second-most rushing yards on the season (192) and 7.1 yards per rush. One of their worst outings of the season.
Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports
