Cowboys studs and duds Week 14: DeMarcus Lawrence sets up game-winning drive

Stud: Noah Brown, Wide Receiver

The Cowboys found themselves in a tough spot in the second quarter after Houston nabbed a 10-7 lead. Facing a third-and-12, they were in danger of really letting the Texans take control. A stop at their own 23 would have led to another punt, but Noah Brown made sure this didn’t happen.

The former seventh-round pick hauled in an impressive reception to put his team in excellent position to take the lead back. Dak Prescott had to scramble and threw the ball deep, but didn’t get enough air on the pass. Brown was still able to make the adjustment and hauled in an impressive catch for a 51-yard gain.

Brown wasn’t done there, as he showed up again on the game-winning drive with a clutch play. On the Houston 40, he brought in an 18-yard pass to put Dallas on the edge of the red zone. He finished with 85 yards on four receptions, as he continues to rise to the occasion when needed.

Dud: Michael Gallup, Wide Receiver

While Brown excelled, Michael Gallup struggled. He had an early drop on second and two during the first drive. To be fair, it would have been a tough catch, but he had both hands on it — and these are the catches they expect Gallup to make.

He also had a drop near the end of the game, when Prescott hit him in the end zone and Gallup took a shot while hauling it in. This led to him dropping the ball, forcing them to try again for the win.

Each of those drops was on a tough play, but that’s why he was given the huge contract. Gallup is paid to step up, which he didn’t do in Week 14 — while Brown did.