In order to really evaluate a team, you must look at the challenges that team faced over the course of the season. Some key things you should look for is strength of schedule, injuries, and what types of adversities that team has faced. When it comes to the Dallas Cowboys, they have seen just about everything a team can see by Week 9 of the NFL, and now it is time to accept they are legit. After playing against Philadelphia last week, where the cowboys looked rusty coming off a bye. This team came into Cleveland in what could have been a trap game and destroyed the Browns 35-10 to improve to 7-1 on the season.
This was the first time that the Cowboys saw an opponent with a losing record like Cleveland. Despite the ups and downs, the Steelers are having, many thought that maybe Dallas would overlook Cleveland and focus on Pittsburgh. However, they did the exact opposite. “We knew they were a good team, ” said starting a rookie quarterback, Dak Prescott then he added, “records don’t always show that. We take it (seriously) just like any other game and prepare all week. We had a great week of practice and it showed tonight.”
Prescott improved his stat line in last night’s game. He completed 21 of his 27 pass attempts, roughly 77%, for 247 yards and three touchdowns and no interceptions. His performance in Cleveland was much better than the week prior against the Eagles where his completion rate was around 48% with two touchdowns and an interception. The running game for the Cowboys slightly improved from last week. Ezekiel Elliott had 18 carries for 92 yards with two touchdowns. This was the second week in a row, in which Elliott was just shy of 100 yards for the game. That’s one area this offense wants to continue to improve on.
It’s worth noting that this cowboys defense held the Browns offense in check. Quarterback Cody Kessler, finished the day 19-for-27 with 203 yards and one touchdown. Cleveland was held to a field goal after a trick play in the first quarter and only reached the endzone once before halftime and was shutout completely in the second half. The Browns couldn’t get their running game going either. The team rushed for 45 yards on 13 carries. The Dallas defense dismantled the front line of the Browns and sacked Kessler four times, losing a total of 26 yards on those sacks.
Dallas has now seen it all so far this season. They faced potent defenses in teams like Cincinnati. Played against legendary quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers and had a couple of comeback victories against San Francisco and Philadelphia. Now with that all behind them, the Cowboys will face another team that will pose similar questions. How will Prescott and company handle a strong and gritty defensive team on the road against Pittsburgh next Sunday? Looking ahead, the Cowboys schedule is tough, to say the least, but with that being said the Cowboys have shown us they are prepared for anything.
Week by week, the Cowboys franchise quarterback Tony Romo is getting healthier. Questions still loom as far as what will happen to Prescott when Romo is set to return and if there’s any awkwardness between the two.
“No, not at all” exclaimed Prescott, “me and Tony have a great relationship I don’t think anybody on this team is worried about that we just come in and stay focused and try to win no matters who’s back there.”
Cowboys will travel to the Steel City to face off against Pittsburgh on Sunday, November 13 and 4:25pm.
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