Dallas

10 Thoughts on Cowboys 28-17 Win Over Arizona

Ten thoughts on the Cowboys’ 28-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium.

  1. DeMarcus Lawrence has been unblockable the first three games of this season. He had three sacks against Arizona, giving him 6.5 this season. Benson Mayowa led the team with six all of last season. He’s making such a name for himself that the constant double teams will probably start Sunday against the Rams.
  2. Ryan Switzer had punt returns of 22 and 19 yards against the Cardinals. The Cowboys also gave him a play at running  back. He looks like the kind of play-maker the Cowboys should be trying to get the ball 2 to 3 times every game.
  3. Brice Butler has everything he needs to be a play-maker except consistency. He had two receptions for 90 yards against Arizona, and both came on the kind of contested plays he has dropped too often in his first two seasons in Dallas.
  4. It took Ezekiel Elliott 36 carries to get his first 20-yard run of the season - a 30-yard burst off left guard. He needed just seven more carries to notch his second, a 20-yard run around right end.
  5. Dez Bryant caught two passes for 12 yards, but on his 15-yard touchdown catch, he showed quickness, power, agility, strength and desire. Play-caller Scott Linehan needs to find a way to get him the ball in space and on the move to take full advantage of his skill set.
  6. Jaylon Smith played 54 snaps and Justin Durant had a season-high 32. Smith finished with seven tackles but didn’t make much of an impact against the Cardinals.
  7. Rookie cornerbacks Jourdan Lewis and safety Xavier Woods did a lot of good things, and these snaps they’re getting right now will help them be difference-makers in November and December.
  8. Dak Prescott threw 18 passes, and that’s a lot closer to a winning formula than the 47.5 passes he averaged in the first two games.
  9. Byron Jones made two excellent pass deflections. He’d been largely invisible the first two games. Maybe, this will jump-start his season.
  10. The Cowboys’ defense was at its play-making best with six sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits and six pass deflections.
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