rpaolinelliI imagine the mood around The Star in Frisco last week was dark and stormy. The defense played a terrible game against Arizona.
The offense moved the ball up and down the field until they got inside the Cardinals’ 10 then flamed out.
Back home on Sunday, the Cowboys played like a team on a mission.
The defense recorded two more touchdowns on returns. A defensive lineman even scored on a two-point conversion.
The unit may also have ended Mac Jones’ time as the Patriots’ starting quarterback in the 38-3 win over New England.
DaRon Bland had two interceptions – including one he returned for a 54-yard touchdown return.
Leighton Vander Esch had an 11-yard fumble return for a score. Following that touchdown, Dallas called a fake point after try.
Punter Bryan Anger, who serves as the holder on kicks, hit defensive end Chauncey Golston – lined up as an eligible receiver — for the two-point conversion.
The offense was still less than stellar inside the 20. Dallas settled for three Brandon Aubrey field goals of 23, 23, and 33 yards.
Dak Prescott did throw a 20-yard touchdown to CeeDee Lamb.
Rookie Hunter Luepke scored his first NFL touchdown on a three-yard run, a rare accomplishment for Dallas’ offense this year so far.
The Cowboys still have some work to do on both sides of the ball. With George Kittle waiting next week, coverage on tight ends needs to improve.
So does containing the running game with Christian McCaffery also lurking about.
The offense still looks disjointed inside the 10-yard line. Dallas cannot afford to leave four points on the field against San Francisco.
By The Numbers
Sunday’s win puts Dallas at 2-0 against AFC East teams in 2023.
Unfortunately, they get to play the division’s two best teams on the road later this year.
The victory improved the Cowboys’ record against the Patriots to 9-6 overall. They are now 5-2 at home and have won the last two games against New England.
The win was the first Dallas win over the Patriots at AT&T Stadium.
It also moved Dallas into sole possession of second place in the NFC East, one game behind the Eagles. The Commanders are a game back of Dallas.
The Cowboys record all-time in Week 4 games is now 33-24 and this was their third straight Week 4 win.
Dallas is now 17-9 at home overall and 6-11 against AFC teams all-time in Week 4 contests.
Last Two Standing
Speaking of the 49ers, they and the Eagles are the only remaining undefeated teams in the NFL after four weeks.
San Francisco rolled over Arizona while Philadelphia escaped with an overtime win over Washington.
Miami wasn’t so lucky on Sunday. One week after hanging a 70 on the Denver Broncos, the Dolphins got stampeded (sorry, not sorry) by Buffalo, 48-20.
Dallas heads west for a Sunday night meeting to try to hand the 49ers their first loss – and avenge last year’s playoff loss. The Eagles will play in Los Angeles against the Rams.
The 1972 Dolphins will be chilling the champagne and hoping to crack it open by late Sunday night.
Tired Of Tay-Tay Yet?
Am I the only one sick and tired of seeing Taylor Swift every time I turn on an NFL game lately?
We’re not even sure she and Travis Kelce are really a thing. But for two weeks now it “OMG Taylor’s at the game!”
The pre-game shows are running with Taylor sightings. For the first time that I can recall, Taylor Swift commercials are airing during the games.
Stares disapprovingly in old man “Get off my lawn!” vibes.
Look, I get it. Its marketing.
Even if they aren’t a thing, both Swift and Kelce are playing this to perfection. She’s selling tickets and he’s selling merch.
But after two weeks my television might not survive another Taylor Swift sighting.
For its sake, I’m begging y’all, enough with Tay-Tay already.
They need to start throwing in the red zone,right now it’s always run,are they scared dak will throw int’s?