3 unlikely standouts from Cowboys blowout win over the Giants
• Rookie wideout makes the most of debut
• Rico Dowdle needs more time
By Randy Gurzi
![Dallas Cowboys Dallas Cowboys](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_7732,h_4349,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/129/01hf307fcw61n4rm70wd.jpg)
2. Michael Gallup, Wide Receiver
One of the major issues with the Cowboys offense this year has been their usage of Michael Gallup. Once a feared receiver who topped 1,000 yards in 2019, Gallup hasn't looked the same since tearing his ACL in 2021. He was hopeful that he could bounce back this year but that hasn't been the case.
Heading into Week 10, he had 22 receptions for 243 yards with no touchdowns. The numbers weren't ideal and it was taking an awful lot of targets for them to even get that production out of him. Gallup was also making headlines for some ill-timed drops.
Dallas seems to have finally realized that forcing him the ball wasn't fixing the issue. Instead, they needed to let things happen naturally, which is why they were using other receivers such as Jalen Brooks and Jalen Tolbert against the Giants. They were also throwing to Brandin Cooks early and often.
That strategy worked as Gallup saw just two passes come his way but finally got into the end zone. He also had his second-best yardage output of the season, going for 70 yards on his two catches. First was his 41-yard touchdown and then later, he caught one for 29 yards as well.
.@dak & @michael13gallup connect deep for a TD! @dallascowboys lead 35-7.
— NFL (@NFL) November 12, 2023
📺: #NYGvsDAL on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/kECSNGc6Bj pic.twitter.com/qvOPimyy1H
Gallup has made a career out of hauling in deep passes, especially when they're contested. Trying to turn him into another Amari Cooper was a mistake. Instead of making him a "volume shooter," the Cowboys need to use him the way they did this weekend. If they do, they will be happy and he should continue to produce.