Grading the Cowboys: Solid! Dallas reveals its identity (and no excuses)

[bbgun]

Sportsradio 1310AM/96.7FM The Ticket host Bob Sturm analyzes the Dallas Cowboys' win over the San Francisco 49ers:

A- OFFENSE - Let's all get this straight: Backup rookie QB, rookie RB, untested backup left tackle, and backup WR are going to go on the road in the NFL against a stiff defense and roll up 428 yards, more than 36 minutes of possession, a half dozen third-down conversions, and a clean game with regards to turnovers. The dagger late in the game on the Cole Beasley quick screen ended it, but it was about a physical showing from Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott showing us he can win without his "A" game. This offense looks quite sustainable.

B DEFENSE - Certainly not a good start, but after surrendering two long drives to start the game against a rather weak opponent, the Cowboys started getting off the field. In fact, on the final eight San Francisco drives, the 49ers compiled just six first downs and three points total. Dallas had just one sack, but six tackles for loss. The Cowboys got a massive takeaway as Morris Claiborne's redemption tour continued with an interception and a fourth-down stop at the end of the game. They weren't good on third-own defense (8 for 14), but considering the 49ers went 7 for their first 7, they got it in gear later. Any day of allowing fewer than 300 yards and 20 points on the road is solid.

B COACHING - After starting the season with a difficult loss in a tight home game against the Giants, we must give the coaching staff considerable credit for figuring out how to run off three straight wins before the schedule turns tougher in October. This whole league is about figuring out how to deal with injuries and beating the teams that you should beat -- especially on the road. Dallas has built an identity, and if you can run the ball right at that 49ers' front seven, you might be able to do it against almost everyone. They patiently rode their horses without Dez Bryant and it worked well.

A- OVERALL - I think that this was a great test to see where this franchise was in the here and now. This was the type of a game that teams lose when they have lots of excuses, but to Dallas' credit, it had many of their best players in street clothes and fell behind early by two touchdowns. With all of that conspiring against the Cowboys, they kept their heads and methodically won the final three quarters convincingly. Dak Prescott continues to check every box for each challenge you present in front of him.

 

[Doomsday]

Yes, its identity is the only defense that can make San Fransisco's 30th ranked offense look reasonably good.

 

[JBond]

Pleasantly surprised with Dak and Zeke. We even made some effective adjustments during the game. Down 14-0 and I was thinking this is the game we stink it up. It felt like like it. Dak and the rest of the team overcame some adversity. Very happy tonight.

 

[Doomsday]

Dak and the rest of the team overcame the lousy coaching.

Fixed!

 

[ZeroClub]

The 49ers aren't a good team. But I do think it was an important game for the Cowboys. It was an opportunity for them to come from behind ... as if practicing to do the same against tougher competition.

Sometimes, that's the way it works. A mediocre team beats several weaker teams in succession and becomes better in the process.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

The 49ers aren't a good team. But I do think it was an important game for the Cowboys. It was an opportunity for them to come from behind ... as if practicing to do the same against tougher competition.

Sometimes, that's the way it works. A mediocre team beats several weaker teams in succession and becomes better in the process.

Confidence and swagger can go a long way. Look at the Seahawks the past few years and the Panthers last year. They feel/felt like they could beat anyone and went out and did exactly that.

Carolina is 1-3 with virtually the same cast; minus Jordan but plus Benjamin.

 

[dbair1967]

The 49ers aren't a good team. But I do think it was an important game for the Cowboys. It was an opportunity for them to come from behind ... as if practicing to do the same against tougher competition.

Sometimes, that's the way it works. A mediocre team beats several weaker teams in succession and becomes better in the process.

Yep. And like I mentioned in another thread, we couldn't win shit last year without Romo & Dez and honestly most weeks didn't even look like we had a real shot to win, even if the scores were close. That doesn't seem to be the case now with Dak and Zeke out there.

 

[dbair1967]

Carolina is 1-3 with virtually the same cast; minus Jordan but plus Benjamin.

Look at Arizona. Their season is starting to go down the shitter already and they were supposedly IMPROVED and a pick by almost everyone to be a strong NFC Favorite.