While the outcome may have been what we expected, how the Dallas Cowboys ended up getting there was a surprise. This Week 2 matchup with the New York Giants was supposed to be close to a cakewalk, but instead turned into a 40-37 shootout that was ultimately decided by a game-winning field goal by the Cowboys. You know what they say though, a win is a win no matter how you get there.
Overall, the way the Cowboys played Sunday afternoon against the Giants didn’t look a whole lot like the team we saw
play in the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. They looked outplayed and overmatched for quite a bit of the game, but somehow managed to claw their way back to earn the “W”. There was a little bit of good, mixed in with some bad and ugly.
THE GOOD – Brandon Aubrey
If you needed any further proof just how much faith the Cowboys have in their kicker, hopefully you paid particularly close attention to the situations they placed Brandon Aubrey in against the Giants in Week 2. He made all four FG attempts on the night, but it was his last two that were complete game-changers. First, he nailed a 64-yard field goal to tie the game up at 37 in the fourth quarter, and then kicked a game-winning 46 yarder to seal the Cowboys victory. This performance and the consistency he’s had throughout his career could make him the next player to earn a long-term extension in Dallas.
THE BAD – Cooper Beebe injury
Injuries of course are part of the game, but it’s never good to have one in your starting offensive lineman exit the game early and not return. Cooper Beebe watched the last part of the fourth quarter and all overtime from the bench with an ankle injury, and the needed assistance to get back to the locker room. The severity of the injury is unknown as of now, but the fact is being on crutches and in a walking boot doesn’t bode well for his availability in the coming weeks. Brock Hoffman will step in at center to replace him and hopefully there won’t be much of a drop off in play. Fortunately he’s been around the organization for a few years and has starting experience.
THE UGLY – Cowboys defense
Whether it was the Cowboys inability to put much pressure on Giants QB Russell Wilson, or the fact their secondary was easily picked apart by the Giants WRs Sunday afternoon, Dallas’ defense played pretty putrid. As of yet, no one has really stepped up to replace Micah Parsons as someone who can consistently apply pressure to the QB. With the time Wilson had to stand on the pocket to find his WRs in the passing game, this could be a major concern moving forward. Of course, playing without DaRon Bland could’ve made a huge difference had he not missed the game with a foot injury. Hopefully his return and the recent signing of Jadeveon Clowney will improve things for the better moving forward.
