Dallas Cowboys Week 2: The good, the bad, and the ugly

In the first week of the 2021 NFL season, the Dallas Cowboys gave a valiant effort, falling just short of a major upset. In week two, this team faced not only a stiff challenge on the field but also plenty of adversity off of it.

Following the 31-29 loss at Tampa Bay, the Cowboys found out that starting right tackle La’el Collins would be suspended for five games. Dallas then learned they would be without starting receiver Michael Gallup for at least three weeks due to a calf injury. After that, starting defensive end Randy Gregory was placed on the COVID/reserve list which took him out of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

To really hit the Cowboys with the ultimate whammy, during the last full practice of the week, the team lost starting defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence for likely two months with a broken bone in his foot. All of that in less than just a week, prior to heading back on the road to face a potent offense.

Of course, this team showed all the resolve that they did the week prior, pulling off a huge 20-17 upset. The win both evened their record at 1-1 and also proved that this team is able to handle a large amount of adversity and be simultaneously successful. Let’s take one last look back and talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly from Week 2.

Dallas Cowboys: The Good

Obviously, we could just say the name Micah Parsons and button-up this section, but I’m going to talk about the entire defense. Yes, the rookie linebacker turned defensive end turned heads and had a breakout game, two games into his career. Without his tenacity and game-wrecking domination, the result of this game likely would have been different.

Parsons was not the only player to shine in Los Angeles, however. Cornerback Trevon Diggs snatched an interception, his second in back-to-back games. Safeties Jayron Kearse and Damontae Kazee both had phenomenal games. Even everyone’s favorite player to bash, linebacker Jaylon Smith, placed better than decent. The defensive line seemed to spend a good amount of time in the backfield.

To that end, the Chargers leading rusher had just 54 yards and the team as a whole was held under 100 yards. The Cowboys were also able to hold a team who went 14 for 19 on third down in Week 1 to just five out of 12 on third down Sunday afternoon.