The Dallas Cowboys pulled out a last-minute win on the road against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
On paper, this game should not have been close. Dallas once again played down to their opponent to the point that it almost cost them another game. Thanks to some key players stepping up, particularly on defense, the Cowboys were able to pick up their fourth win of the season.
One of those players was rookie safety Caleb Downs, who turned in his best performance of the season. He wasn't alone, as several of his defensive teammates stepped up to keep the Colts in check while the offense struggled in the second half yet again.
3 Cowboys who stepped up when the team needed them most
1. Caleb Downs - DB
This win should be remembered as Caleb Downs' breakout game. He had already made his fair share of big plays as a rookie, but this was one he took over. This was the statement performance fans had been waiting for from the No. 11 overall pick.
Downs picked up his second sack of the season on a blitz. He came through unblocked, but the hit on Daniel Jones sent a message that this defense was going to play much differently than it did last week. Big hits like that can provide a spark for an entire defensive unit.
Downs had to play deep at safety at times due to injuries in the secondary, and he made another big play at the start of the second half. Jones was looking deep for Ashton Dulin, who beat DaRon Bland, but fortunately Downs provided safety help. He got there in time to knock the ball away.
For a secondary that has given up big plays and had busted coverages all year, that was good to see from Downs.
His final big play came on the game-ending interception when the Colts had one last chance. It wasn't a well-thrown ball by Jones, but it erased any lingering fears of Dallas blowing another game. There couldn't have been a better time for Downs to record his first career interception.
In a game that meant a lot to him as he faced off against his brother Josh, Downs stepped up as much as anyone on the field for the Cowboys on Sunday.
2. Quinnen Williams - DT
It hasn't always looked like it, but Quinnen Williams has shown this season that he was worth the contract extension. Sunday's win only reinforced that point. The defense surrendered just 105 rushing yards, and Jonathan Taylor didn't even reach 50.
Williams was a big reason why, as he led the team in tackles with seven, including three for losses. His biggest play came when he hit Taylor to cause a fumble in the fourth quarter. With CeeDee Lamb's inexplicable turnover on the previous drive, the Colts were in position to seize control until Williams caused the turnover.
Players paid as much as Williams need to make big plays and be consistent when the team needs them. He answered the call against the Colts. He stepped up in a major way to help Dallas win this game.
3. Dak Prescott - QB
As much criticism needs to go to the offense for not capitalizing on defensive stops, Dak Prescott deserves credit for making big throws at the end of both halves. The so-called "GOTI" offense once again disappeared in the second half like last week, but they did enough to win.
With a 10-7 lead towards the end of the first half and less than a minute remaining, it looked like Dallas was content with just kicking a field goal. However, Prescott seized a big opportunity by connecting with Lamb on a busted Colts coverage for a touchdown that gave them a two-possession lead going into halftime.
The score gave them a solid cushion that actually made a huge difference in the outcome, considering Dallas was outscored 16-10 in the second half. Those are big plays Prescott has to make for this offense to essentially win games.
Trailing 23-20 late in the game, it was fair to wonder whether the offense had enough juice left to go win the game or if it would simply settle for overtime. On the first play of their final drive, Prescott took a shot downfield to Ryan Flournoy that completely changed the mood.
Flournoy deserves credit for creating separation against one of the best cornerbacks in the game in Sauce Gardner, but Prescott delivered one of his best throws of the day. The drive culminated in Javonte Williams' game-winning touchdown, as Prescott quieted his critics for at least one week by engineering another game-winning drive.
He stepped up when it mattered most, just as a $60 million quarterback should.
Add us as a preferred source on Google