Caleb Downs proves he’s a great brother with a message after holding Josh Downs to zero catches in Dallas Cowboys’ win
Caleb Downs got some bragging rights over his brother Josh after the Dallas Cowboys’ win over the Indianapolis Colts. But he’ll use them wisely.
Bragging rights are always nice to have when it comes to brothers. Some have beaten their brothers in Madden or Halo, maybe pickup basketball, or the family’s favorite tabletop game. For Dallas Cowboys safety Caleb Downs, it’s a little different, though.
After the Cowboys’ Week 9 win over the Indianapolis Colts, he’s up 1-0 on his brother Josh in NFL action. And unlike many brothers who have played one another in NFL history, Caleb was right across from Josh.
The Cowboys first-round rookie held his brother to no catches in two targets when he was tasked with covering him, according to Sumer Sports. In the game, Downs also recorded his second sack and his first career INT to seal the game.
But following the matchup, Caleb proved he’s a great brother by giving Josh his credit for the plays that won’t show up on the box score.
Caleb Downs on facing brother
The Cowboys got the win, and that’s what matters most if you ask Caleb. But he addressed the unique situation postgame.
“We needed the win as a team, that’s the biggest thing.” Caleb said. “It was a surreal feeling going out there and lining up in front of him and it’s me and him the whole game. I was thankful for the situation.”
Instead of bragging about the bragging rights, however, he cut the Colts WR some slack by admitting he was beat in multiple plays.
“He definitely got me in some of the plays that they missed him on,” Downs said.
Despite being the little brother, Caleb also had some postgame words of encouragement for Josh, who made a couple of mistakes amid trade rumors on Sunday.
“It happens, he’s got to move past (the drop),” the Cowboys DB said. “I just told him that. At the end of the day, hes’ a ball player and he can’t think of himself any differently based off of one play or not getting the ball thrown to him. He plays his ass off.”
Caleb does too. The Cowboys rookie received plenty of criticism for his play throughout the first eight weeks of the season. But the film reveals the rookie’s struggles are a symptom of the many problems on the Dallas defense.
On Sunday, Downs flashed the brillance that made him a first-round pick. And fans got a glimpse of how special he can be.
