Week 6 of the 2021 NFL season is in the books and it did not disappoint as it pertains to this Dallas Cowboys campaign. Facing the league’s most decorated franchise, on the road, Dallas put on a show in New England in an epic instant classic.
With their 35-29 victory, the Cowboys won their fifth straight game, matching their longest winning streak since November 8-December 9 of 2018. The 35 points also set a team record of most games in a row scoring 35 or more. When thinking of all of the history and offensive talent this franchise has had through the year, that’s one impressive feat.
Making this week even better, all of the other teams within the NFC East took a loss. Dallas now sits three games ahead of the next closest team in the division, something no other team can currently say. Now, as this inferno hot team heads into their bye week, let’s take one last look at Week 6 and assess the good, bad, and ugly from an overtime win over the Patriots.
Dallas Cowboys: The good
Some days you just have it going on and other days are a struggle. For the majority of the game, the Cowboys just could not get out of their own way. The Cowboys were penalized 12 times for 115 yards, including the very first play of the game.
Dallas turned the ball over twice, including a fumble on the goal line, erasing an opportunity to score. Yet another score was erased with a dropped pass. One play after returning a pick-six interception to the house, they gave up a 75-yard touchdown right back.
All in all, the Cowboys probably played a B- minus game at best and still walked out with a win. Those are always the most impressive wins in my book. This team is obviously talented. Scoring 18 points in the final quarter and overtime shows their explosiveness.
To fight through the plethora of mistakes and self-inflicted setbacks meant more to me, however. There were a few extra cherries on this Sunday sundae though. Before this game, the Bill Belichick-led Patriots were 109-3 at home when leading at halftime. Make that 109-4 now. Also, the 567 yards that Dallas gained in this game was the most any Belichick-coached defense had ever allowed. Let those sink in.
Dallas Cowboys: The bad
A win is a win and yes, this team has the sort of offense that can cover for a lot of errors. Yet and still, as the competition gets harder, the weather gets colder and the stakes get higher, there is less room for error. Twelve penalties is an unacceptable amount. No time is a good time for a penalty, but the Cowboys had some doozies Sunday afternoon.
Three times, the Cowboys were flagged on first down, creating a 1st & 20 situation. Another penalty almost took Dallas out of field goal range late in the game when a score was needed to extend the game.
As I mentioned in the good, dropped touchdown passes and fumbles on the goal line aren’t exactly a good look either. Teams with equally potent offenses such as the Rams and Cardinals will make you pay for such blunders.
The Cowboys are on the verge of a potentially special season. Even with this winning streak, however, Dallas has yet to play a start-to-finish great game. Hopefully, those are coming but, for now, there are still lots of teaching moments to be worked out.
Dallas Cowboys: The ugly
Honestly, this game should have been over after cornerback Trevon Diggs took another interception to the house, giving the Cowboys a 26-21 lead with 2:21 left to play. What commenced was mind-blowing, to say the least. Diggs was beaten on a double move, however, it looked like he was about to recover.
At that moment, safety Damontae Kazee came out of nowhere, taking a terrible angle, not only cutting off Diggs’ chance to make a play but also blowing any chance of making a play on his own. Just like that, this game could have very easily been lost.
Up by five late, with only a touchdown hurting you, the coverage has to force the other team to methodically move down the field. Diggs could not fall for a double move and Kazee surely should never let a player get behind him, especially in that scenario.
While it has nothing to do with the game, it is now being reported that Kazee was arrested yesterday on suspicion of DWI. These types of things absolutely cannot happen, especially during a bye week. As I said before, the littlest things can derail momentum. Players need to be smarter on and off the field. Hopefully, this is a blip on the radar and the end of the unnecessary off-the-field shenanigans.