5 reasons why the Dallas Cowboys are a threat in playoffs

2. Oh brother, where art thou?

A lot of attention goes to Jaylon Smith, a Cowboys’ second rounder. But his brother, Rod Smith, deserves a little love too, right? After all, Dallas let Darren McFadden go a few weeks back. Of course, Smith had a little to do with that.

Smith ran the ball six times for 47 yards, averaging 7.8 yards per carry. Smith helped the Cowboys running committee reach over 100 yards, and was the lone back in the game to score a rushing touchdown.

Though Alfred Morris had 15 more yards than Smith, Morris needed 19 carries to get to the 62 yards mark.

Smith was also Dak Prescott‘s favorite target in the air. He caught five balls for a whopping 113 yards and one score. Smith caught all the balls targeted his way.

Rod has stepped up nicely in place of Zeke in the backfield and through the air. The Cowboys keep finding ways to patch Elliott’s absence, and when he does come back, Smith will be a nice component in the playoffs.

3. Chidobe Awuzie

Poor guy. Nobody can pronounce his name. And my spell checker plucks him out every single time.

I said it once, and I will say it again, the most important pick coming out of the 2017 draft for the Cowboys was Awuzie.

Hampered by a hamstring injury all year, Mr. Awuzie is already the difference maker on the defense. Do not try to deny this. In two starts, he has five pass deflections and is starting to resemble something like an island out there.

Like teammate Byron Jones, Awuzie can play corner and safety. But why change a good thing. With Awuzie starting, the Cowboys are 2-0. The backfield has more pop and swagger. And guess what, the defensive front line is liking that too.

If the Cowboys somehow get into the playoffs, credit Awuzie’s timely return.