Dallas Cowboys: What can we learn from the win on Sunday?
![ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 15: Jaylon Smith #54 of the Dallas Cowboys interacts with fans during pregame warmup before the Dallas Cowboys take on the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 15: Jaylon Smith #54 of the Dallas Cowboys interacts with fans during pregame warmup before the Dallas Cowboys take on the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fthelandryhat-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F08-2F1194199370-850x560-214e526f0232ed94d10f51c3cf47dbfdd146adc1b5a4fd6430255e28f804cf29.jpg)
It was a fun day on Sunday as the Dallas Cowboys beat the Los Angeles Rams. What can we learn from this win and what does it mean going forward?
All season, the Dallas Cowboys have been criticized for being unable to beat a team that has a winning record. Sunday’s win against the Los Angeles Rams puts the Cowboys’ record at 1-6 against above .500 teams.
There are some things Cowboys fans need to keep in mind after this loss though. So, what can we learn from this win and what does it mean going forward?
Ground and Pound
For the second time this year, the Dallas Cowboys had two different running backs run for over 100 yards. Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard both played great, accumulating 248 rushing yards combined.
This last happened back in Week 3 against the Miami Dolphins. Seeing both running backs have a great day puts a big smile on my face.
This season, coach Jason Garrett and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore have leaned more on quarterback Dak Prescott a lot more. This resulted in fewer opportunities for Zeke to take over games.
Now with rookie Pollard playing well, the Cowboys can lean on the running game without having to overwork Zeke. The run game is what always allowed the Cowboys to play to their full potential, so hopefully, Sunday’s game will show the Cowboys are going back to their roots.
I can’t give all the credit to the running backs though. The offensive line played amazing and opened up great gaps, while also protecting Dak. They did not give up one sack, and limited star Aaron Donald‘s effectiveness on the line.
If the Cowboys are going to have success in the playoffs, they need to establish the run game. That is how they control the game, and that is what opens the field for them.