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ARLINGTON - Ugly wins count just the same as pretty ones. The Cowboys got an ugly one Sunday against Tampa Bay, but it was all they needed to win the NFC East for the third time in five seasons.
Here are my thoughts on the Cowboys improving to 9-6 with their sixth win in the last seven games.
1. The offense continues to be tough to watch. There was a nice pitch-and-catch between Dak Prescott and Michael Gallup in the back corner of the endzone late in the third quarter. However, when you consider how bad the Buccaneers are, it's easy to wonder why there weren't more impressive drives. The Cowboys were able to score some touchdowns in the red zone, which is a good sign. The question is, will that continue against a good team in the playoffs?
2. Randy Gregory picked a good time to have his best game as a Cowboy. He got things started in the first half with a highlight hit and forced fumble on Jameis Winston. Jaylon Smith then returned it 69 yards to put Dallas up 14-3 late in the first quarter. Gregory then turned in another great play with a few minutes left in the third quarter, recovering a Winston fumble on a reverse and returning it to the Tampa Bay 6. With Tyrone Crawford leaving the game because of a neck injury on the second play from scrimmage, Gregory was needed even more than usual. He came up big.
3. The Dallas defense rebounded after last week's ugly showing in Indianapolis. Along with Gregory, DeMarcus Lawrence played well, as did defensive tackles Maliek Collins and Antwaun Woods. But the most noticeable improvement was the play of the linebackers, Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch. Perhaps there was a little extra motivation after neither was named to the Pro Bowl last week. The sloppy tackling we saw in Indy wasn't on display against the Bucs. They allowed the long TD drive late, but overall, they were the reason the Cowboys won.
4. Cole Beasley has been a forgotten man since the addition of Amari Cooper. But Beasley was as important as any offensive player Sunday. He was particularly Dak Prescott's go-to guy in the second half. To reach their full potential on offense, Prescott needs to get Cooper, Beasley and Gallup all involved to keep opponents from focusing on just Ezekiel Elliott. Elliott can carry a heavy load, but he needs help from an effective outside passing game.
5. Locking up the division should be reason to celebrate. The problem is the Cowboys haven't played great the last two games. Do you feel as confident about their chances to make a Super Bowl run as you did after the win over New Orleans? Obviously you do not. They needed to blow out the Bucs to bring those feelings back. But it's still a division title and a playoff berth. Can't say I saw that coming after they lost to Tennessee in Week 9, falling to 3-5.
