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

Stud: Tony Pollard, Running Back

Once again, Tony Pollard had himself a game.

His first two runs were impressive, as they each went for 11 yards. His initial carry was on first and 10 at Dallas’ own 45, and he put them in Houston territory. From there, Ezekiel Elliott moved it to the 11 on three carries, and then Pollard got it again. This time, he took it to the right end for an 11-yard touchdown, his ninth rushing score of the season.

Pollard continued to make plays, as he went for 18 yards to move the ball to the Houston five-yard line. A false start moved them back to the 10 and Pollard wound up scoring again from there, this time taking a Prescott pass and making a couple of players miss on his way to the end zone.

Dud: Dak Prescott, Quarterback

While the Cowboys have had a good season overall, Dak Prescott has been downright awful when it comes to protecting the ball. In seven games, he has posted seven picks, and has twice tossed two in a game. Now, he’s up to nine picks, and this was his third game of the season with multiple picks.

As if that wasn’t enough, it’s also the third game in a row where he did throw a pick — and the second one was an absolute killer.

Trailing 23-20, Dallas needed their star quarterback to step up, as they were pinned deep in their own territory. That didn’t happen, as Prescott threw a pass right into the arms of Tremon Smith, who had the earlier pick as well.

The defense bailed them out and got them the ball back, but against a better team, he would have blown the game on that play.