Cowboys studs and duds Week 5: Micah Parsons closes out the Rams

Once again, the Dallas Cowboys found a way to win. On the road against the defending champion Los Angeles Rams, Dallas started out with a 9-0 lead thanks to their defense and special teams.

They continued to rely heavily on that defense as well as the ground game en route to a 22-10 victory. Now, at 4-1 on the season and 4-0 with Cooper Rush, they prepare for a huge game against the Eagles in Week 6.

But before then, let’s look back at who stood out for Dallas in their huge win over LA.

Dallas Cowboys studs and duds after Week 5 victory over Rams

Stud: Dorance Armstrong, EDGE

Stephen Jones made some bad moves this offseason and some even worse claims. Now, one of those statements has actually turned out to be very true. While trying to act as though they didn’t botch the Randy Gregory contract negotiation, he said Dorance Armstrong could be just as good.

In Week 5, that looked to be true. Armstrong was responsible for nine points as he sacked Matthew Stafford on the opening drive, stripping the ball in the process. The fumble was recovered by DeMarcus Lawrence, who rumbled in for a score. On the next drive, he blocked a punt and while the Cowboys didn’t move the ball, Brett Maher hit the field goal to go up 9-0.

Armstrong has been everything Dallas hoped and more. He’s not flashy but just does his job and does it very well.

Dud: Tyler Smith, LT

With Tyron Smith out, Tyler Smith has done a solid job at left tackle but Sunday wasn’t his best outing. He was tasked with slowing Aaron Donald down on more than one occasion as the Rams felt Donald could get the best of the rookie. Smith one on one against one of the best defensive players in the league wasn’t a great idea.

Donald had a strip sack in the first half, which Smith was fortunate to recover. Smith was also called for a hold on the play, but L.A. declined it. He was flagged again late in the second quarter for another hold and then on the ensuing play gave up a sack to Donald.

The Rams superstar had his way and while we can’t be too hard on Smith for going up against the best as a rookie, it wasn’t his best performance.

Stud: Tony Pollard, RB

The offense for both teams was rather stagnant to start the game. Dallas scored nine points in the first quarter thanks to a fumble recovery and a blocked punt. Los Angeles finally started some of the fireworks in the second quarter when Cooper Kupp hauled in a pass with one hand then ran for 75-yards and a touchdown.

Dallas answered, thanks to Tony Pollard, who continues to be their home run hitter — even if they refuse to believe it. Pollard took a handoff 57 yards for a score, which put the Cowboys back on top 16-10.

Pollard ended the day with 86 yards on just eight attempts. He deserves more carries but is at least making the most of the ones he’s getting.

Dud: Peyton Hendershot, TE

After getting the ball back with a nine-point lead, the Cowboys wanted to kill some clock and they looked to do so when Pollard ran a first down on third-and-one. Or at least it appeared he did.

The play ended up not counting as Peyton Hendershot was called for holding on the edge. This pushed them too far back and they had to punt. Los Angeles took a short punt and got inside the Dallas 30, which proved to be a huge flip for the Cowboys all due to the hold. Hendershot has been a solid route runner but this isn’t the first time he’s been flagged for holding.

Stud: Micah Parsons, LB

Micah Parsons continues to be the leader of this Dallas defense. Even when he wasn’t on the field for every play this weekend as he dealt with an injury, he was able to impact the game. His first splash play — which we have all come to expect from him — came with just under three minutes to go in the third quarter.

With Los Angeles facing a third-and-11, Parsons ripped past Rob Havenstein to get after Matthew Stafford. The Rams quarterback had just escaped pressure from Lawrence only to find No. 11 flying at him. The sack forced a punt and the Cowboys got the ball back with a 19-10 lead.

Parsons also helped during a late drive when the Rams were down 12 and trying to get back in it. Moving down the field, no one was stopping Los Angeles, until Parsons drew a flag on Havenstein for holding, setting them back 10 yards, making it a second-and-14. He then closed the game out by sacking Stafford at the end of the game, forcing another fumble and allowing his team to walk off with their fourth win in a row.

The second-year player admitted he was a huge fan of Aaron Donald before the game and did his best to emulate the Rams’ talented defensive lineman.

Dud: CeeDee Lamb, WR

For all the good things CeeDee Lamb does, he has to clean up the drops. He had a couple against the Giants earlier in the season and it was an issue again in Week 5.

With the Cowboys up 19-10, they were looking to seal the game with another score. Cooper Rush hit Lamb on a third-and-five but Lamb couldn’t hold onto the ball, forcing a punt. Los Angeles should have pulled within six points but a missed field goal from Matt Gay ended up being their saving grace.

Dallas didn’t move the ball exceptionally well through the air so they needed to capitalize on the opportunities when they were there, and Lamb didn’t do that in this one.