Cowboys vs Patriots: 5 quick hits from Week 6

What. A. Game. It was not easy, but the Dallas Cowboys found a way to defeat the New England Patriots 35-29 in overtime. There were plenty of mistakes that took place for the Cowboys that almost cost them the game.

However, when it came time to carry the team on his back, quarterback Dak Prescott ensured his squad left Gillette Stadium with a win before the bye week. Here are five quick hits from the Cowboy’s Week 6 matchup against the New England Patriots.

Dallas Cowboys: 5. Laundry all over the field

Like I said at the top, there were mistakes made by the Dallas offense, defense, and special teams that should have cost them this game. It is not good to start the game with a penalty on the opening kick for illegal blocking formation. From there, Dallas struggled to play clean football.

The Cowboys had a combined 12 penalties for 115 yards yesterday. Going into the game, they were the sixth most penalized team in football. It was not just the quantity of penalties that were the problem, but when they happened in the game.

The tweet above speaks volumes. Considering how much Dallas struggled in the first half, those 81 lost yards would have helped. The flags on guard Connor Williams in the fourth quarter were unacceptable, especially as Prescott is trying to get them in field goal range.

The worst penalty of the night might be the one that was not called. When it was third down in overtime, and the Patriots had the ball, quarterback Mac Jones threw a pass down the sideline for wide receiver Nelson Agholor. Cornerback Anthony Brown was in coverage, and the ball sailed out of bounds.

If you go back and watch the replay in slow-motion, the referees missed a hands-to-the-face call which would have given the Pats a new set of downs. I’m not sure what Head Coach Mike McCarthy will ask of his team during the bye week, but he should send them home with the NFL rulebook and study up on how to play cleaner football.

Dallas Cowboys: 4. CeeDee Lamb is the future

When Owner Jerry Jones hands out “legacy numbers” to drafted players, it means they have the potential for greatness. No. 88 is a tradition worn by Dallas wide receivers who dominate the position. Drew Pearson, Michael Irvin, Dez Bryant, and now CeeDee Lamb.

Fans know how amazing Lamb can be based on his rookie season in 2020. His numbers could have been prolific if quarterback Dak Prescott finished the season. His highlight-reel catch against the Minnesota Vikings emphasizes that point. Now in 2021 with a healthy Prescott, Lamb finally seems to have found his groove.

Against the Patriots on Sunday, Lamb hauled in nine receptions for 149 yards and two touchdowns. That is a stat line of a No. 1 wide receiver. Lamb was not getting as many targets to start the game, but Prescott went to his young stud when it came time to make big plays or win the game.

Is there a debate now on who the Cowboy’s No. 1 playmaker is on offense? Possibly. Receiver Amari Cooper is still clutch, but the discussion speaks to the talent Jones has put together on offense. No matter who is considered top dog right now, fans should feel comfort in knowing Lamb will be around and dominate for a long time.

Dallas Cowboys: 3. A perfectly timed bye-week

The bye week is meant for players to get healthy and clean up mistakes that need correction. For the Cowboys, this bye seems to be at the perfect time.

While there were no significant injuries, Dak Prescott injured his right calf on the game-winning touchdown.  On Monday, the team conducted an MRI and some tests, which revealed a minor strain on the calf. According to the team, he should be ready to play Week 8 against the Vikings.

It is never a good thing when the quarterback of any team walks out of a post-game press conference in a walking boot. Fortunately for Dallas, it was all precautionary, and they want to make sure No. 4 is all ready to go after the bye.

Prescott can focus on rehab for this week as well as some other players with minor injuries. Defensive end Tarell Basham left the game with an ankle injury, and left tackle Tyron Smith also injured his ankle against the Patriots. However, Smith was able to return and finish playing.

The Cowboys have been playing football since the Hall of Fame game. They need this break right now. With right tackle La’El Collins suspension ending and players needing time to rest, this bye week seems to be like everything else that has happened to the Cowboys this season. Another thing that is just going their way.

Dallas Cowboys: 2. ‘Code red’ in the red zone

This game should have been a blowout, just like in previous weeks for Dallas. The offense had many chances to score touchdowns in the first half, but the team kept shooting themselves in the foot.

After the Patriots took the lead 14-7, the Cowboy’s offense marched down the field. After a couple of penalties, which could have led to a chance in the red zone sooner, Dallas was on the Patriots’ 16-yard line. Dak Prescott throws a pass in traffic, which the ball deflected into the hands of New England safety Kyle Dugger.

On the very next drive, Prescott and the offense got the ball back after a strip-sack fumble by defensive end Randy Gregory. It was now 3rd and 11 from the Patriot’s 13-yard line and Prescott threw a pass to the corner of the endzone to wide receiver Cedrick Wilson that was incomplete. The drive stalls and they have to settle for three points.

After another Patriots drive ends with a three-and-out, Special teams coordinator John Fassel dials up an all-out blitz resulting in linebacker Luke Gifford blocking the punt. Prescott was again gifted with another short field opportunity to take the lead. Instead, on 4th and goal, he tries to leap across the goal line only to have the ball punched out by linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley.

With three chances in the red zone resulting in two turnovers and only three points, it could have easily been 28-14 Dallas leading at halftime. The game ended with a Cowboys victory, but the problems in the red zone seem to be apparent for this team week after week.

Hopefully, Head Coach Mike McCarthy and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore can take this bye week to figure out their struggles when it comes to scoring. You wonder if this does not get corrected, will it cost them when it counts going forward?

Dallas Cowboys: 1. Play of the game

This one is simple. The play of the game should be the 4th down catch made by receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. in the 4th quarter.

If you skip to 3:19 in the tweet above, you can see the play. This was the first big test for the Cowboys on this drive. If they did not make it past this play, they would never have kicked the field goal to cause overtime and then scored the touchdown to win the game.

Dak Prescott did not want to burn a time out when watching the play, almost hoping to catch the Patriots out of assignment. It was a bold call because the game could have ended if defensive end Matthew Judon had sacked Prescott before he threw the ball.

Since Prescott was rushed in his throw, he had to make the quick decision and throw to the out route, which was to Wison. The ball was placed in a spot only Wilson could get it. He had to jump up and pull the ball in, making sure his body landed in bounds.

It was a ridiculous circus catch that was a redemption moment for Wilson. After not catching two would-be touchdowns earlier in the game, this one catch on 4th down made up for it all. Dallas has been without their third receiver in Michael Gallup, but Wilson has stepped up and created big plays for this offense.

With the report he has with Prescott and Gallup being in a contract year, it might make sense for General Manager Jerry Jones to bring back Wilson on a cheaper two-year deal and become the team’s third option at wide receiver next season.