5 Cowboys who earned their Star against the Bengals

Here are five Dallas Cowboys who shined in Cincinnati on Sunday

The Dallas Cowboys hit the road this weekend and came away with a 30-7 victory over the struggling Cincinnati Bengals, notching their fourth win of the season in Week 14. While there are questions about whether the Cowboys are hurting themselves by still being in the NFC East race in what is likely another lost season, no one can blame these players for still wanting to win.

Reviewing the game film, there were several key contributors who shined in this December contest. Here are our selections for the top five Cowboys who earned their Star on Sunday.

Amari Cooper, WR

Wide receiver Amari Cooper should have had two touchdowns in this matchup but was unseen by quarterback Andy Dalton running open deep in the second half. Cooper brought in four of his five targets for 51 yards and a score. The four-time Pro Bowl wideout continues to prove this season why he is considered one of the best route-runners in the NFL.

Aldon Smith, DE

Although elite pass rusher Aldon Smith failed to record a sack in the matchup against the lowly Bengals, he would record three tackles and scoop up a fumble and take it a whopping 78-yards for a defensive touchdown. That play will likely go down as one of the Cowboys’ top defensive plays of the year and a personal highlight for Smith after returning from his five-year hiatus out of the NFL.

Tony Pollard, RB

While it wasn’t a banner day for running back Tony Pollard on the ground, rushing for 39 yards on 11 carries, he did score a late touchdown on a seven-yard reception from Dalton. Pollard also had a 60-year kickoff return to kickstart the second half that resulted in a field goal and gave the Cowboys a 20-7 lead.

Tyrone Crawford, DL

It’s been rare this season to highlight the play of one of the team’s longest-tenured veterans. But defensive lineman Tyrone Crawford deserves a tip of the cap following his 2.0-sack performance on the road in Ohio. Both sacks came in the same series late in the final frame, one play apart, against the Bengals’ backup passer. Following double-hip surgery this offseason, the nine-year veteran has been all but invisible this year. This was his first sack(s) of the season.

Rashard Robinson, CB

Second on the team with nine total tackles, cornerback Rashard Robinson made a bit of a name for himself in this matchup. The Cowboys needed a defensive back to step up due to corners Chidobe Awuzie, Trevon Diggs, and Anthony Brown all being sidelined. Robinson proved himself to be a hard-hitting defensive back, making an impressive open-field tackle to force a fourth down in the third quarter to aid a Dallas defense that didn’t allow a single second-half score.