Cowboys studs and duds Week 13: Dallas secondary explodes on Indy

For nearly three full quarters, the Dallas Cowboys were struggling with the Indianapolis Colts. The scrappy road team had an early lead and then pulled to within two, making it a 21-19 game late in the third.

Then, the Cowboys got serious. Dallas was up 54-19 in the blink of an eye, as they had touchdowns on offense and defense en route to a 33-point fourth quarter.

There were several stars in this one, making it hard to pick too many duds. Still, we try and point out a couple — while figuring out which studs to highlight — from Week 13.

Cowboys studs and duds Week 13

Stud: Malik Hooker, Safety

The Colts were making it tough on Dallas in the first half, and after a frustrating three-and-out from the Dallas offense, they had a shot to get more points before the half. With just over a minute left in the second quarter, Indianapolis was at their own 40 and Matt Ryan fired one toward Alec Pierce.

Ryan’s pass hit Pierce’s hands as he dove, but bounced up in the air, allowing Malik Hooker to come running in to make an impressive diving catch. He then got up and ran it back 26 yards, setting the offense up at the Colts’ 26. Michael Gallup caught a 13-yard touchdown to capitalize on the turnover and put Dallas on top 21-13 heading into the half.

He wasn’t done there, either, as he later scored a touchdown on a fumble return. Hooker made life tough on his former team and was a huge part of the win for Big D.

Dud: Kelvin Joseph, Cornerback

Kelvin Joseph continues to struggle week in and week out. Taken in the second round last season out of Kentucky, the goal was for him to start across from Trevon Diggs. So far, he’s been used mainly on special teams, and has had a few issues there as well.

Against Indy, he was called for a penalty on the first punt of the game, as he ran into the return man. His interference gave the Colts the ball on their own 47-yard line, which set them up for a field goal despite only gaining 20 yards on the drive.

Joseph did find himself playing in the base defense in the third quarter, and again struggled. This time, he was in coverage on Alec Pierce and surrendered a 15-yard touchdown. He was in decent coverage, but couldn’t force the incompletion.

DaRon Bland broke up the two-point conversion to keep it 21-19, which wasn’t the first time the undrafted rookie stepped up while Joseph — and even Anthony Brown — struggled.

Stud: Donovan Wilson, Safety

Malik Hooker isn’t the only safety that stood out for Dallas in this win, as Donovan Wilson was also making plays all over the field.

Wilson isn’t a coverage guy like Hooker, but more of a hybrid safety who hits like a linebacker. He showed this when he came flying in to sack Matt Ryan for a nine-yard loss on 3rd & 9 in the first half. When he made that play, Dallas was trailing 10-7 and Indy had all the momentum. That sack stopped them in their tracks, and Tony Pollard gave the Cowboys the lead on the ensuing drive when he ran in a two-yard touchdown.

In addition to the splash play, Wilson showed his value when he chased Jonathan Taylor down on a 14-yard run when it looked as though he could have picked up much more. He also converged on Deon Jackson, along with Micah Parsons, to make a run stop right at the line of scrimmage.

Wilson finished with 10 tackles and a sack, as he continues to be a force for this defense.

Dud: Anthony Brown, Cornerback

Down 7-3, the Colts were able to take the lead on an Ashton Dulin touchdown. But that score likely never happens if Anthony Brown doesn’t get beaten by Alec Pierce a couple of plays earlier.

Brown was in man coverage on the rookie, and Matt Ryan threw it deep to Pierce, who pulled it down for a 45-yard gain. Pierce beat him again in the third quarter on a pivotal 3rd & 2. That 14-yard catch allowed the Colts to continue driving and again led to points, as Pierce later beat Kelvin Joseph for a 15-yard touchdown.

Brown ended up getting hurt and had to leave the game, so he was unable to find redemption.

Stud: CeeDee Lamb, Wide Receiver

Facing 3rd & 9 from the Indy 20, Dak Prescott had pressure coming at him, and instead of throwing for the sticks, he had to hit CeeDee Lamb over the middle. Lamb was hit short of the first down, but rolled over the defender and realized he never touched the turf.

As the Colts seemed to stop on the play, assuming he was down, Lamb got up and ran it in for the first touchdown of the game.

Lamb was far from done on that play, as he continued to be a thorn in the side of the Indianapolis secondary. He finished with five receptions for 71 yards as well as a touchdown. He also showed off his versatility by running it two times in a row for 23 yards.

Dud: Trevon Diggs, Cornerback

When it comes to Trevon Diggs, you have to take some of the bad in order to have the good. And to be clear, there’s far more good than bad. Even in Week 13, he was good overall, but without many other duds this week, he makes the list for one gaffe that gave the Colts a lot of momentum.

In the first quarter, Diggs was covering Ashton Dulin, who had just 30 career receptions in four seasons. Dulin ran a double move and Diggs bit hard when Matt Ryan pump faked, leaving Dulin all alone in the end zone for the easy touchdown. That gave the Colts the 10-7 lead, and while it was short-lived, it also put the momentum on their side.

Stud: Tony Pollard, Running Back

Dallas continues to split carries between Tony Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott and it continues to be a success. This weekend, Pollard started the game and Elliot came in later — and each of them put up a great performance and found their way to the end zone.

Pollard ends up making the stud list, however, since he did so twice. He had over 100 yards from scrimmage, with 91 on the ground and 15 through the air.

He now has 832 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. Both are personal bests, and there are five games remaining.

Stud: DaRon Bland, Cornerback

Dan Quinn was speaking very highly of DaRon Bland before the game, and the rookie got a chance to make his defensive coordinator look brilliant.

With Anthony Brown injured and Kelvin Joseph struggling, Bland got more time in the base defense during the second half and he made the most of it, with two interceptions. The first was meant for Kylen Granson, and Bland jumped in front of him to steal the ball away.

https://twitter.com/dallascowboys/status/1599614406492463104?s=20&t=dwlznZDCpe7Zlo23P3IHTg

The Sacramento State product wasn’t done there, as he took the ball away on the very next drive. This time, it was a pass intended for Ashton Dulin, as he again got the ball back for his offense after making a diving catch in front of the receiver.

Bland fought for a job in a crowded Dallas secondary and now has three picks as a rookie. Not a bad start to his career at all.

Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb stays up, sprints to end zone on ridiculous touchdown

Dallas Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb spun out of a tackle and sprinted to the end zone to give the Cowboys a first-quarter lead over the Colts.