The Cowboys used their usual formula - defense, Ezekiel Elliott and some big plays in the fourth quarter by Dak Prescott- to win just their third playoff game in the last 21 years.
It was the first playoff win for Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott and just the second for coach Jason Garrett.
Here are Cowboys Insider Jean-Jacques Taylor’s 10 thoughts on the game.
- This offensive scheme has always worked best with a dynamic receiver and running back. Well, Ezekiel Elliott had 169 total yards - 132 rushing and 37 receiving - and Amari Cooper had 107 yards receiving on seven receptions. They also combined for the team’s three longest plays from scrimmage: 44, 34 and 27 yards.
- Dak Prescott, as usual, did his best work at winning time. He directed two touchdowns drives, rallying Dallas from a 14-10 deficit in the fourth quarter. He completed his two longest passes of the night and ran six times for 29 yards and a touchdown, including a sensational 16-yard run on third-and-14 to set up the clinching touchdown in the final quarter.
- Seattle led the NFL in rushing this season with 160 yards per game, but managed just 73 yards on 24 carries against the Cowboys.
- Chris Carson, who had six 100-yard games, including three in a row entering the playoffs, finished with 13 carries for 20 yards and a long of five.
- The Cowboys only sacked Wilson once, but they pressured him much of the night. More important, he left the pocket and scrambled just once, gaining three yards.
- Seattle went three-and-out six times in its 12 possessions, including the first three times it had the ball.
- Tavon Austin provided some juice on punt returns in just his second game back since missing 10 weeks with a groin injury. He had a 51-yard punt return in the fourth quarter and an apparent 80-yard return for a touchdown called back in the first quarter.
- Defensive tackle Maliek Collins, playing his best football of the season, finished with four tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss and a quarterback hit.
- The Cowboys had their streak of nine consecutive games with at least one turnover end. Seattle had only 11 turnovers all season.
- 10. Dallas, among the best in the league at not allowing big plays this season, gave up six plays of more than 20 yards. They gave up two plays of more than 40, including a 50-yard pass In the final two minutes that made the game closer than it should’ve been.
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