The Dallas Cowboys finally got an easy win on Sunday, as they steamrolled the New York Jets by a final score of 37-22. Dak Prescott was utterly dominant yet again despite missing CeeDee Lamb, KaVontae Turpin, and four starters on the offensive line.
Of course, Prescott playing lights-out this season has become the expectation. The bigger takeaway from was the performance from second-year wide receiver Ryan Flournoy, a player Cowboys fans have wanted to see more of.
Prescott shared that sentiment, and he essentially called Flournoy's breakout after last week's tie against the Packers in a funny exchange with Cowboys team reporter Patrik Walker.
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott knew Ryan Flournoy's breakout was coming
i asked Dak Prescott about the importance of how a game like the one vs. Packers can build confidence for those behind George Pickens with CeeDee Lamb out.
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) September 29, 2025
i rattled off a list, but my tired mind forgot to name Ryan Flournoy. (DAMMIT)
Dak: “you missed Ryan Flournoy, but i know… pic.twitter.com/wPpAnkkaCd
Prescott and the Cowboys made it a point to get Flournoy going early. He had a few catches in the first quarter and didn't look back after that, turning nine targets (tied for the most on the team) into six catches for a team-high 114 yards. He had a great adjustment on a 46-yard catch that he made between two Jets defensive backs.
Flournoy had 104 receiving yards in the first half alone after having 102 yards all of last season. He was a catalyst in the Cowboys asserting their dominance on the scoreboard as they took a 23-3 advantage into halftime.
Cowboys fans would've liked to see Flournoy continue to dominate in the second half, but Brian Schottenheimer took his foot off the gas.
That takes nothing away from Flournoy's performance. He led Dallas in receiving, and his nine targets tied Jake Ferguson for the most on the team. The 2024 sixth-round pick was Prescott's go-to weapon on Sunday as Sauce Gardner shadowed George Pickens all afternoon.
Beyond being tough as nails at the catch point, Flournoy is also difficult to tackle. There were multiple instances on Sunday where Flournoy was brought down five or six yards beyond where he was first hit by a Jets defender. He brings that toughness as a blocker as well. He doesn't generate great separation, but he is quietly the full package.
It's too early to say if the Flournoy is a "dude", as the kids like to say, but he looked the part in an increased role. If nothing else, the Cowboys have found their new WR3 behind CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, and Schottenheimer would be smart to keep getting him involved every week, even when Lamb and KaVontae Turpin return from their respective injuries.