The Dallas Cowboys came into Sunday’s game against the New York Jets needing a confidence boost. After an emotional rollercoaster of a contest that ended in a tie the week prior, it was imperative that the Cowboys get
back in the win column against a winless Jets team.
For the first time this season, we saw Dallas play complementary football on Sunday. The Cowboys played very well on both sides of the ball, pulling away from the Jets en route to a 37-22 blowout win.
Dallas’ offense, which entered this game down five opening night starters, did everything you could have asked from them during this game. Dak Prescott, Javonte Williams, and others had big days, but there was one Cowboys’ unit that stood above the rest in Sunday’s game.
That group was the Cowboys’ pass rush, a unit that has been scrutinized extensively through the first four games of the season. Finally, Dallas’ pass rush showed up in a big way and completely took over the game, earning the unit this week’s game ball award.
The Cowboys’ consistent pass-rush made life extremely difficult for the Jets’ offense all game long. Justin Fields was under constant duress throughout the afternoon, as Dallas racked up a season-high 14 quarterback hits and five sacks.
Dante Fowler and James Houston both had their best pass-rush game of the season, getting after the quarterback on a consistent basis. The duo combined to total 10-plus pressures, seven QB hits, and 2.5 sacks.
Eight different Cowboys’ defenders recorded at least one quarterback hit, and five recorded at least half a sack in the contest, showing just how much of a group effort this dominant performance was.
With all the struggles Dallas has had on the defensive side of the ball, a performance like this was much-needed for the group as a whole. While the Cowboys likely won’t be close to one of the best defenses in the NFL this season, they need one thing they can hang their hat on as a complete defensive unit. After what they put on display in New York, the Dallas pass rush group showed they have a chance to be just that.
If Sunday’s showing was any indication of what’s to come, Dallas’ pass-rush could be this defense’s saving grace.
