Cowboys vs Giants: 4 Winners and 2 Losers from Week 1 shutout win
The Dallas Cowboys were so dominant on Sunday Night Football that it's difficult to limit the number of "winners" who could've gone on this post. It's also a daunting task to find "losers" on their side of things. But we'll still try! Let's dive into the players and units who headlined a 40-0 beatdown of […]
The Dallas Cowboys were so dominant on Sunday Night Football that it's difficult to limit the number of "winners" who could've gone on this post. It's also a daunting task to find "losers" on their side of things.
But we'll still try!
Let's dive into the players and units who headlined a 40-0 beatdown of the NFC East rival Giants. Here we go.
Cowboys’ 4 winners and 2 losers from Week 1 win
Winner(s): Cowboys’ pass rushers
Oh, boy. So they can get better, huh?
The Cowboys had the highest pressure rate in the NFL last year at 25.6%, per Pro Footballl Reference. On Sunday night, they pressured Giants QB Daniel Jones on 62.2% on his dropbacks!
Yes, that number will come down to Earth as the season advances but this is a scary-looking unit. You've got to double-team Micah Parsons but that will only go so far as he'll wreck two offensive linemen at a time. On top of that, you also have to deal with a deep group of players up front. I mean, look at the pressures each of these guys recorded per PFF:
- ED Micah Parsons, 6
- ED Dorance Armstrong, 6
- DL Osa Odighizuwa, 4
- DL Chauncey Golston, 4
- ED Dante Fowler Jr., 4
- ED Sam Williams, 3
- ED DeMarcus Lawrence, 3
Another five Cowboys players had at least one pressure. It's just crazy depth.
Winner: S/LB Markquese Bell
Talk about a breakout game! Bell has been tasked by the Cowboys to carry out linebacker and safety duties as the team battles a thin linebacker room. The second-year player delivered with a team-high five defensive stops, per PFF.
He also tied Leighton Vander Esch for the most tackles in the game (6). The former undrafted free agent did it in only 44% of the defensive snap counts while also contributing on special teams. Speaking of which…
Winner: S Juanyeh Thomas
Juanyeh is a weapon. In just the first quarter of the game, he blocked a field goal attempt, made a big-time tackle near the line of scrimmage, and got one pass deflection.
He finished the game with a 58% snap count on special teams. This kid might be one of special teams coordinator John Fassel's favorite players now.
Loser(s): Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot
The two Cowboys tight ends combined for three drops in seven targets. What was worse was the timing of them. Hendershot dropped a would’ve-been-touchdown and Ferguson let go of what would’ve moved the chains on third down in the red zone.
It's not what you want from the tight ends after you confidently let go Dalton Schultz in free agency. Luke Schoonmaker had only 16 snaps on offense but he's likely to push for playing time after Sunday night's performance from the tight ends.
That being said, Ferguson and Schoonmaker were efficient blockers in the run game, which the coaching staff is likely to love when they review the tape.
Winner: WR KaVontae Turpin
Turpin didn’t play much but he did get himself a touchdown run. It’s a big year for him as the Cowboys’ coaching staff wants more of him on offense. Finding the end zone in the season opener can only help.
"It's a conscious effort just trying to get him the football," McCarthy told reporters after the game. "I think it's important also to get young players involved, and I consider Turp a young player."
The touchdown came with Turpin lined up in the backfield. We'll see if the Cowboys can involve him in other ways moving forward.
Loser: Offensive stat sheet?
I mean, don’t look at me. The Cowboys made it impossible to find legit losers in this game.
But I guess the offense didn't get to show off on Sunday night. Sure, it had its settle-for-three drives and an impressive 75-yard touchdown series out of halftime but pretty much no one got to put together good-looking stats.
Dak Prescott passed for under 200 yards and only CeeDee Lamb went over 30 receiving yards (he had 77). But ultimately, that was more about the Cowboys going into a so-called "weather plan" as soon as they gained an early lead.
Featured image via Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
