3 Cowboys stars who found extra gear to help beat Colts on SNF
By Adam Weinrib
The Indianapolis Colts played the Dallas Cowboys nearly to a draw through three quarters of action. In fact, the only thing that had kept the Cowboys in the lead was a two-point conversion stop.
Against Indy’s surprisingly frisky offense and defense, the Cowboys required some superhuman plays on both sides of the ball to keep them afloat. Not the way Jason Garrett drew it up, but it was the way it had to be done.
Luckily, some of Dallas’ best and brightest showed up when the skies looked darkest, allowing the team the smallest amount of breathing room for the fourth quarter, when all things finally fell apart for the clearly-undermanned Colts.
Funny this was ever close, isn’t it? It was close! Close for 3/4 of the game! Not that fourth fourth, though.
If these Cowboys had taken it easy on Sunday night instead of stepping up under the lights, it’s possible the team’s 54-19 pounding never would’ve materialized. Luckily, these game-changers played their best when it mattered most.
3 Cowboys players who stepped up vs Indianapolis Colts on Sunday Night Football
3. CeeDee Lamb
Lamb played like a No. 1 wide receiver from the second the Colts defense allowed him to get off the mat. Literally.
With Odell Beckham Jr. rumors constantly swirling, Lamb (and Michael Gallup, for that matter) showed that all they really need is a solid running mate. Surprisingly enough, the way Dallas’ offense played was likely their most effective argument yet for Beckham’s services. No need to come here and be The Man. This is a lot like Buffalo. Flash when you can, and let Lamb do the work.
In one of his most spectacular games of the season, Lamb scored the Cowboys’ first touchdown of the game, rolling out of a tackle without hitting the ground before sprinting to the end zone untouched.
After that, he looked at least two steps faster than Indianapolis’ defense whenever he was targeted, often in space. “Two steps” is also being generous to the defense.
Lamb finished the game with 71 receiving yards on five receptions, as well as 23 rushing yards. It felt like more, considering every time the camera found him, he was zipping and twisting down the field in an entirely different gear from his pursuers.