The 2016 Dallas Cowboys Keep Defying The Odds

This young Dallas Cowboys team rolled into San Francisco and let the game get away from them early. Despite a huge hole, they were able to dig their heels in and come away with the victory.

Can you tell me the last time the Dallas Cowboys won a game without both quarterback Tony Romo and wide receiver Dez Bryant? It was in 2010 with Jon Kitna as their starting quarterback against the New York Giants. That’s right, the better part of a decade ago.

Well, this young Cowboys team did just that, but they did it the hard way. After missing a field goal on their opening drive, the Cowboys gave up 14 quick points to the 49ers. Many people on social media were beginning to doubt rookie quarterback Dak Prescott and if this Cowboys team had it in them to win consistently. Well, challenge accepted, and question answered!

Not only did the team win, but they did it without several key players across the roster. Not only were they missing Romo and Bryant, the club was without starting corner back Orlando Scandrick, as well as offensive linemen Tyron Smith and La’el Collins.

The odds were stacked against them to win on the road with all these key injuries, but to come back from a 14 point hole is incredible. There’s something to this quarterback Prescott, I am telling you.

The entire team responds to Prescott’s poise and his refusal to buckle during pressure. Most young signal callers would have folded under such an uphill battle, but Prescott embraced it and went to work. Fellow rookie – running back Ezekiel Elliott – helped lead the come back and eventual drive to take the lead as he continued his domination on the ground in his fourth professional game.

After the defense responded with a few key stops – including a beautiful interception by corner back Morris Claiborne – Prescott and Elliott sealed the deal for the Cowboys on the way to their third victory of the season and a 3-1 record at the quarter mark.

Let’s dive into this performance by Prescott a little further. While down big early in the second quarter he got into rhythm by finding a multitude of wide receivers including tight end Jason Witten, wide receivers Brice Butler, Terrence Williams, Cole Beasley, and even running back Lance Dunbar.

Prescott was taking what the defense gave him, and he was making them pay. He was remarkably efficient and never blinked at the pressure and just did what it took to get his team back in the game and eventually the victory.

It was obvious to me that the team responded to Prescott as a whole after he got them on the board with that first touchdown. The defense tightened up, the special teams starting making some plays, and players were giving it that little bit of extra effort that it takes to make plays. It’s a fun thing to witness as a fan when 53 players come together as one and rally around one another.

There’s a lot of questions surrounding this young team still. Where is the pass rush? What is going to happen when Romo comes back? Is Bryant ever going to be the same? But one thing is for certain with this team; they are winning.

Whatever the key ingredient is, it is working well. Prescott is rallying the troops and being efficient, all while adding to his rookie record of most passing attempts without an interception. Zeke is getting loose on the ground, and the defense is bending but not breaking as well as getting turnovers – something they struggled with all of last year.

Next: Down 14, Dallas Cowboys comeback to defeat Niners, 24-17

After the first quarter of the season, these Cowboys can hang their hat on the fact that they are 3-1 despite all the odds against them going into the season with their starting quarterback going down. Add in the fact that this club only won 4 games all of last year, and this season has left a very good taste in the mouth of their fans, and perhaps it’s the start of something special this year.