The Dallas Cowboys improved to 6-8 with Sunday's win over the Carolina Panthers. Their playoff chances remain microscopic and it makes last week's loss that much more infuriating. A 7-7 record would give the Cowboys better than a puncher's chance of making the tournament.
While Dallas doesn't have much to play for over the final three games, they can absolutely take positives into next season.
The Cowboys may have found their 2025 starting offensive line and Rico Dowdle has been among the best running backs in football over the last seven weeks. There is real hope that Dallas will have a robust rushing attack when Dak Prescott is back healthy next year.
Of course, these games are also pivotal to evaluating the 2024 draft class. First-round pick Tyler Guyton only allowed one pressure on Sunday and posted a career-high 81.2 pass-blocking grade, per PFF.
It was an encouraging showing for Guyton, who has had an up-and-down rookie year, but it was another criticized Cowboys draft pick who sent a bigger message to his doubters: third-rounder Marist Liufau.
Cowboys rookie Marist Liufau broke out in a huge way in win over Panthers
Marist Liufau has drawn rave reviews since the day he walked in. It's unfortunate that it took a bad injury to DeMarvion Overshown for him to get a feature role, but he has inspired confidence from the day he arrived and we're seeing why today.
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) December 15, 2024
Thrust into a prominent role after DeMarvion Overshown's devastating injury, Liufau did his best Overshown impression against the Carolina Panthers. He finished with a team-high six tackles and forced a fumble on Bryce Young that swung the momentum in Dallas' favor.
The Cowboys punted on their opening drive and allowed the Panthers to cross the red zone on the ensuing possession. Carolina seemed prime to score until Liufau came flying in and executed a textbook "Peanut Punch" on a Young scramble.
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We have seen Cooper Rush play from behind. It hasn't been pretty. The takeaway completely altered the game.
Entering Sunday, Liufau had quietly been one of the most efficient rookie linebackers. Among 23 qualified players, he ranked sixth in tackles, first in pressures and hurries and second in sacks, per Pro Football Focus. That is wildly impressive being Liufau had been a rotation player.
The Liufau pick was not received well by Cowboys fans. Not only was the third round (No. 88 overall) viewed as a bit rich for the Notre Dame product, but many believed it was the perfect spot to draft a running back. When Liufau was taken, Dallas had its pick of Bucky Irving, Jaylen Wright, Marshawn Lloyd, Ray Davis and Isaac Guerendo.
While Irving, Guerendo and Davis would all look good in a committee with Rico Dowdle, the front office clearly knew what it was doing drafting Liufau. He's a heat-seeking missile who loves getting downhill and boasts the range to cover both sidelines to pursue ball-carriers.
Once the 23-year-old learns to play more under control, which will come with experience, he's going to be a special player. The potential has been crystal clear from day one and he is only scratching the surface.