DALLAS — The Dallas Cowboys hit the “easy” button in their 49-17 beatdown of the New York Giants in Week 10.
While some might not be impressed with what the Cowboys were able to accomplish against a bad team on their third quarterback, there’s something to be said for dominating an opponent in the way that Mike McCarthy’s team did in the victory.
Dallas was supposed to beat the Giants, and they did so, handily, so there’s every reason to celebrate scoring 49 points, outgaining their opponent by close to 500 yards and winning by 32 points. It was an outstanding performance all-around from the Cowboys, who seem to be peaking offensively at the right time.
Here are more takeaways from the Cowboys’ second thrashing of the Giants this season:
The offense is a-changing…
Before the bye week, the Cowboys were winning games, but the offense was basic and stagnant. The team wasn’t using much motion, and McCarthy wasn’t putting his best players in position to succeed.
That has all changed in the three games following the week off last month, and it was even more evident against the Giants. Dallas is more aggressive in the passing game, using more shifts and motion to get the matchups that they want and it’s paying dividends.
The Giants have a weak secondary, which McCarthy and quarterback Dak Prescott exploited. Prescott attacked the youth and inexperience at cornerback, dialing up plays to get wide receivers Brandin Cooks, CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup in one-on-one matchups.
Predictably, Dallas’ wide receivers won those battles all game long, with the trio accounting for three of Prescott’s four passing scores.
…but an adjustment at RB is needed too
While there wasn’t much to complain about, the differences between the main running backs felt obvious. Starter Tony Pollard had 15 carries for 55 yards, while his backup, Rico Dowdle, got 12 totes for 79 yards and a score. Pollard had some nice runs that reminded Cowboys fans of what he’s capable of, but Dowdle looked quicker to the hole and finished off runs with more power. Dowdle averaged 6.6 yards a carry and continues to look like the stronger option.
The situation is eerily reminiscent of the last few years at the position in Dallas. Former starter Ezekiel Elliott would grind out yards before Pollard came in and would look like the better running back. The difference is that Pollard isn’t hammering defenses or racking up the touchdowns like Elliott did.
Dowdle hasn’t made as many explosive plays as Pollard did in relief of Elliott, but if given more chances, Dowdle has shown signs of being capable of making them. If the Cowboys want to keep Pollard as the starter, they’ll need to find ways to get Dowdle more touches because he’s the better option right now.
Well-fed Lamb is ridiculous
This is something we learned last year, but the lesson is apparently still being taught after McCarthy needed a refresher. Lamb is among the top wide recievers in the game and, after a slow start to the year, he’s become a game-breaker for the rapidly improving offense.
The 11-catch, 151-yard, one touchdown game for Lamb was his record-breaking third straight game with at least 10 catches and 150 yards. It was also Lamb’s fourth straight 100-yard game and he’s got four scores since the Cowboys came off their bye week.
Remarkably, Lamb’s also in the middle of the best three-game stretch for a wideout in the last 10 years.
With his recent tear, Lamb is now third in the league in receiving yards, sixth in catches, fourth in yards per game, and first in the NFL with 22 big plays. The one-handed grab against the Giants in the first quarter was just another example of the elevated level that Lamb is playing at right now.
Don’t forget the defense
Dallas’ defense was expected to have their way with a New York offense that didn’t have enough skill players to compete, and Dan Quinn’s unit more than held up their end of the bargain. They didn’t get a high number of turnovers, but cornerback DaRon Bland’s interception was his fifth of the season, which ranks second in the league.
The Cowboys also added five sacks, converting their league-high in pressures into getting to the quarterback. Edge rusher Micah Parsons didn’t get one, but his bookend partner DeMarcus Lawrence got a sack, and so did second-year pass rusher Sam Williams, who is now seeing more snaps on defense.
The heralded Dallas defense had virtually one task, which was slowing down running back Saquon Barkley, and they ultimately allowed just 66 yards to New York’s only elite option. Much of that damage came well after the game was in hand, so the Cowboys continue to improve against the ground game. That’s going to be an important trait as the season progresses.
Do you think the Cowboys will continue to make progress on the offensive side of the ball? Share your thoughts with Ben on Twitter @BenGrimaldi.
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