The Landry Hat
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Grading the Dallas Cowboys through September

By Tyrone Starr

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 16: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys tosses the football after a fourth quarter touchdown against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 16: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys tosses the football after a fourth quarter touchdown against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 30: Brett Maher #2 and Chris Jones #6 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrate the game winning field goal in front of Darius Slay #23 of the Detroit Lions at AT&T Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 30: Brett Maher #2 and Chris Jones #6 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrate the game winning field goal in front of Darius Slay #23 of the Detroit Lions at AT&T Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Special Teams

Grade: B+

When Dan Bailey was cut after the final preseason game, Cowboys fans lost their minds. After Brett Maher missed his first kick in Carolina, the angst became even greater.

A funny thing happened ever since though. Maher has not missed a kick.

Maher is 8 out of 9 on his field goals and 5 for 5 on extra points. That includes Sunday’s game winner, which was dead center.

As for the Cowboys punt game, Chris Jones has been less than his stellar self so far, but it’s nothing worth getting worried about.

Next. 2018 Dallas Cowboys - 3 players I’m sold on, and 3 I’m not. dark

Coaching

Grade: C-

If not for the magical connection between defensive coordinator in name Rod Marinelli and defensive coordinator in reality Kris Richard, this grade would be much worse.

The Scott Linehan experience should have ended last season. Instead he has somehow found a way to make things worse. Couple that with the stewardship of head coach Jason Garrett and it’s not hard to see why the offense has been poor.

Thankfully though, the defensive schemes have been phenomenal. Marinelli has the line humming and Richard has brought attitude and aggressiveness to the secondary.

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