5 takeaways from Cowboys' win: Zeke's big day; Claiborne proves he's Dallas' best CB

[bbgun]

Five takeaways from the Dallas Cowboys' win over the San Francisco 49ers.

1. Anyone still concerned that Ezekiel Elliott is off to a slow start? The rookie running back took over this game in the second half and finished with 23 carries for 138 yards and a touchdown.

The outcome finally tilted in the Cowboys favor with a possession in the third quarter. San Francisco linebacker NaVorro Bowman went off the field with an injury. Elliott breaks off a 23-yard run up the middle on the very next play. The Cowboys score a few plays later to take their first lead of the game at 21-14.

Elliott carried the ball seven times for 50 yards and a touchdown on the drive.

2. Dak Prescott has shown his poise. He still hasn't thrown an interception. But until Sunday, no one knew how he would face adversity. Could the rookie quarterback remain calm when staring at a double-digit deficit and do what it takes to bring his team back?

Check.

A Cowboys team that hadn't been down by more than four points all season fell behind 14-0 in this game. How did Prescott respond? By leading the Cowboys to a score on four of their next six possessions. He threw two touchdown passes.

3. Mo Claiborne has been the Cowboys best corner this season. He made that clear again Sunday.

Claiborne's fourth quarter interception took receiver Brice Butler off the hook for a ridiculous taunting penalty and allowed the Cowboys to take on a field goal that pushed the lead to seven points. He came up with a big tackle on the next series to turn the ball back over to Dallas.

4. Terrance Williams has been singled out for his mistakes early this season. Remember his failure to get out of bounds near the end of the loss to the New York Giants? Remember his fumble after a big gain against Chicago?

Well, Williams atoned for those mistakes by catching a nice 20-yard touchdown pass in the first half to slice the 49ers early 14-point deficit in half. He caught 4 passes for 44 yards on the afternoon.

5. The easy part of the Cowboys schedule is done. The next three teams the team faces -- Cincinnati, Green Bay and Philadelphia -- will arguably be the best Dallas has faced this season.

The Cowboys needed this good start to build a cushion for what lies ahead.

 

[Doomsday]

Mo Claiborne has been the Cowboys best corner this season.

God Damn, stop it! he is NOT our "best corner" and he is not even a decent corner!

 

[bbgun]

I love it when he celebrates when a receiver drops the ball, like he had anything to do with it.

 

[MrB]

Mo has been a pretty good tackler this season.

 

[Doomsday]

Mo has been a pretty good tackler this season.

Stop it. He's made what, three tackles? None of which were really hard hits? Even the one today, he pussed out.

 

[MrB]

Stop it. He's made what, three tackles? None of which were really hard hits? Even the one today, he pussed out.

It's not always about making the hardest hit. It's about wrapping the guy up and driving through him, which Mo has been doing a good job of. You may not want to hear it but they likely bring him back.

 

[TheZoneSucks]

It's not always about making the hardest hit. It's about wrapping the guy up and driving through him, which Mo has been doing a good job of. You may not want to hear it but they likely bring him back.

Then we will know that the franchise is still not serious about wanting to win a Super Bowl. You don't win those with guys like Mo.

 

[ZeroClub]

Mo had a solid game. In the past, he's shown a tendency to shrink to the occasion. He played with more confidence yesterday.

It was the first time that I've seen even a glimmer of the player who the Cowboys thought/hoped they had drafted.

So he had a decent game. Maybe he'll string a few of these together.

 

[Midswat]

I can see the future....

We completely ignore Claibornes first 4 seasons, and over pay him based on his contract year performance. Next year he goes back to the same ol same ol scrub.

 

[Dodger12]

Williams had a decent day but the idiot needed to step out of bounds on the last series of the 1st half. I mean, that was just dumb.

 

[JBond]

Last year was a contract year for Mo.

 

[Midswat]

So is this year.

Morris Claiborne Contract Details, Salary Cap Breakdowns, Salaries, Bonuses | Spotrac

 

[ZeroClub]

Williams had a decent day but the idiot needed to step out of bounds on the last series of the 1st half. I mean, that was just dumb.

Yeah. There were times yesterday when I thought Brice Butler could look very good starting opposite Dez. Butler's stupid penalty diminished that some, but maybe he'll get it straightened out and give TWill a run for his money.

 

[dbair1967]

Butler had a good game until that clusterfuck penalty and then the bad dropped TD

That was a perfect pass, he's gotta catch that in that situation.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Don't look now, but Mo has allowed less than 30 yards receiving in 3 games now.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Zeke is the NFL's rushing yards leader. Pretty good, rook.

And Dak is the 1st QB to throw for a 1,000 yards to start a career and not throw a single interception. Again; pretty good, rook.

 

[dbair1967]

Don't look now, but Mo has allowed less than 30 yards receiving in 3 games now.

Don't let Dooms catch you saying anything positive about Mo Claiborne

 

[dbair1967]

Zeke is the NFL's rushing yards leader. Pretty good, rook.

And Dak is the 1st QB to throw for a 1,000 yards to start a career and not throw a single interception. Again; pretty good, rook.

Yeah not much doubt that right now both those guys along with Wentz are favorites for rookie of year.

Overall looking like a quality draft class. Collins appears to be a good pick and I really like Anthony Brown.

 

[Omegasupreme]

Mo has been a pretty good tackler this season.

I've seen the same thing. He's getting low and holding on by himself. He's not going to be any sort of incarnation of Jack Tatum but he's getting it done without whiffing.

But here's my question. Would Dallas be better off in the secondary with 38 year old Terence Newman or the current Claiborne? I'm watching Newman and he still plays well. Not shutdown but certainly better than Liz Claiborne.

 

[yimyammer]

Don't let Dooms catch you saying anything positive about Mo Claiborne

I get a kick out of watching Dooms go off