The Landry Hat
Fansided

5 biggest takeaways from the Cowboys’ 54-19 rout of the Colts

By Brandon Martinez

Dec 4, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) and quarterback Dak Prescott (4) celebrate a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) and quarterback Dak Prescott (4) celebrate a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 4, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) and safety Malik Hooker (28) celebrate an interception against the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) and safety Malik Hooker (28) celebrate an interception against the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

3. The Rookie Class is Shaping up Quite Nicely

If there’s one rookie that caused me to have this takeaway on Sunday, I suppose it would be fifth-rounder DaRon Bland. Bland has had a pretty up-and-down rookie year, but he certainly has made a bigger impact than most of us expected.

Against the Colts, Bland held opposing receivers to just two catches for five yards on five targets. In the process, he also picked off Matt Ryan twice and made four tackles and a run stop. He graded out as the Cowboys’ best defender on Sunday with a defense grade of 94.3.

First-round pick Tyler Smith also had a very solid game. In fact, he was tremendous in his own right, not allowing a single pressure all night and being very effective in the run game. Smith saw time at both left tackle and left guard.

Damone Clark and Sam Williams also played a good amount of snaps. Clark finished as the fifth-highest graded Cowboy defender (76.7) and forced a fumble, while Williams recorded two tackles, one pressure, a QB hit, and a run stop.