Cowboys studs and duds Week 3: CeeDee Lamb finds redemption
By Randy Gurzi
Stud: Dorance Armstrong, EDGE
New York took advantage of a penalty on Anthony Barr during their first drive and moved into field goal range. It should have been an easy three points, since it was a 47-yard kick for the usually-accurate Graham Gano, but Dorance Armstrong had other plans, as he was able to block the kick and get the ball back for his team.
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1574557563131002880?s=20&t=pwosGZHTvbUe3T-9F0zD7w
On the following drive, he again made some noise, sacking Jones at the Dallas 30, helping to end the drive with New York settling for a field goal.
After being forced to punt early in the game, it looked as though Dallas was about to get the ball right back, as they forced a three-and-out — or, at least, they thought they did. After a third-down pass from Daniel Jones to Saquon Barkley hit the turf, a flag came flying, and Anthony Barr was called for a hold that gave the Giants five yards and a fresh set of downs. New York was able to get into range for a field goal following the hold, but Dorance Armstrong saved them from giving up three points when he blocked the attempt.
Armstrong should have had two sacks on the night, but a penalty erased one of them late in the game. He’s been a great player for the ‘Boys and has helped them fill the hole left by Randy Gregory, recording three sacks now in the first three games of the year.
Dud: Matt Farniok, OG
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. The Cowboys were driving down the field and an offensive lineman was flagged for holding, which killed the drive.
Ezekiel Elliott had just gained six yards to set up a third-and-two on the New York 38-yard line. They had to walk it back, though, as Matt Farniok was guilty of the penalty, and they were suddenly facing a second-and-18 situation. Unsurprisingly, this led to the first punt of the day, as Dallas walked away with no points on their opening possession.
Jason Peters replaced him and was better, but the coaching staff kept putting Farniok on the field for some reason. Overall, he’s not a terrible player, but there is a better option, and Farniok’s made a few mistakes when he’s been on the field.