Cowboys Hit Bye On A High
The Cowboys hit the break with a lot to be happy about.
There have been ups and downs to this point, but we went over what the team needs to work on over these next few days in this space yesterday. Today, we’re gonna focus on the positive. Some more important than others, but all positives as this team starts a stretch of 11-straight games to finish the regular season. Let’s get started.
—> The Cowboys are 4-2 as they start the bye week, and that is something to feel good about. Yes, they dropped a game to a team, that on paper is inferior, but wins over the Giants, Jets, Patriots and Chargers, who were coming off their own bye week, is a good start. The offense, despite its flaws, are moving the ball up and down the field. They have red zone issues, but are still averaging 25.7 points per game, good enough for sixth in the league. On defense, the Cowboys are allowing 16.7 points per game, good enough for eight in the NFL. But take away the disaster in San Francisco, and they are allowing just 11.6 and that would be tops in the league by almost a field goal. A few tweaks here and there on both sides of the ball, and this team should be in the postseason.
—> The Cowboys might have the best kicking game in the NFL, with placekicker Brandon Aubrey and punter Bryan Anger. Aubrey has been the shining star of the pre-bye week season for the Cowboys. He is 16 for 16 on field goals, 12 of 13 on extra points, has made 18 straight kicks, is 2-for-2 from beyond 50 yards and has along of 55 yards. Aubrey is averaging 10 points a game for the Cowboys and is tied for fourth in the NFL in scoring with Brett Maher at 60 points. As for Anger, he’s quietly having one of his best seasons. The veteran has punted 19 times, for 978 yards, with a long of 57 yards and a 51.5-yard average, which is good enough for third best in the NFL. He has six punts downed inside the 20, only one touchback and 11 punts returned for just a 9.8-yard average. He also has one tackle. If the season ended today, they both would be pro bowlers.
—> It didn’t happen until the final game before the break, but quarterback Dak Prescott finally used his legs to get things done. It is one of the biggest elements of his game that has been missing since he returned from the broken ankle that cost him the final 11 games of 2020. The Cowboys need the threat of Prescott running, even if it’s just a couple times a game, to make sure the defense has another thing to worry about. When Prescott, who has 27 rushing touchdowns in his career, scores with his legs, the Cowboys are 20-5. He got the Cowboys going on Monday night with his 18-yard touchdown run on fourth and one. The Chargers never thought Prescott would run, but the Cowboys QB shocked us all by pulling the ball and keeping it himself. It may not be 2016 Prescott, but the wheels are still there, he just needs to continue to use them.
—> The Cowboys defense are once again headed towards the top of the NFL in takeaways, with eight interceptions and four fumble recoveries this season. The 12 takeaways are good enough for fourth in the league. They are on pace for 34 this season, which would be one more than they had last season and equal to what they plundered in 2021. Both seasons they led the league, but if they want to lead it for a third straight season they have work to do. They are currently trailing Jacksonville (15), Buffalo (13) and the New York Jets (13).
It’s been an up and down season so far for the Cowboys.
The bye week arrives after win over the Chargers and, despite there being a lot to fix, the Cowboys have much to be happy about.
The push for the postseason begins on Sunday, Oct. 29, at home against the Rams.
It should be an interesting 11 weeks.