The reason for the great anticipation around the Dallas Cowboys vs. Miami Dolphins game is easy to comprehend.
The two teams’ seasons have gone quite similarly, but when comparing their home and away performances, the former has been two completely different teams. The Cowboys and head coach Mike McCarthy were hoping to change that.
The Dolphins won by a single point as it went to the wire, but a number of Cowboys made every effort to keep it that way.
Brandon Aubrey, K
As steady as he gets, Aubrey is still a deadly weapon for the Cowboys, capable of making Mel Gibson and Danny Glover proud. On that night, he increased the record of field goals he has made to start an NFL career to 32 in the third quarter. One of those field goals reduced the lead to just six points, and another in the fourth quarter restored the six-point deficit after the Dolphins had extended their lead with another field goal of their own. Even though the Cowboys’ offense had a difficult day overall, Aubrey performed admirably.
CeeDee Lamb, WR
The Cowboys’ passing attack got off to a scorching start, largely because Dak Prescott targeted Lamb, who dominated the first quarter and participated as a running back out of the backfield. Before the offense cooled down in the second quarter, the All-Pro wide receiver had 95 receiving yards on four receptions, including an explosive 49-yard catch-and-run for a score. However, this was not due to anything Lamb wasn’t doing. In addition to his touchdown, he would close the game with 118 receiving yards, 14 rushing yards, and a flagrantly uncalled interference in the end zone.
Dak Prescott, QB
Prescott, as previously indicated, made care to locate Lamb in Miami early and often. The two linked frequently and in different ways to keep the Dolphins off-balance, and the Dolphins’ defensive line pressure was a major factor in the game’s slowdown before halftime. In the end, the two-time Pro Bowler mounted a 17-play, fourth-quarter drive that resulted in an incredible touchdown reception by Cooks when it counted most. Prescott shifted the chains and made the throws when he had time to do so, although he frequently lacked time.
For Cooks, the day in Miami was quiet—until it wasn’t. When Prescott and McCarthy most needed it—with the fourth quarter winding down and the Cowboys frantically holding onto a shot at an upset victory—the nimble wide receiver stepped up. Less than four minutes remained in regulation when the Cowboys took the lead on third-and-goal from the eight-yard line. Prescott dropped back and fired a dot to the back left of the end zone, and Cooks made the toe drag swagger possible.
Jalen Tolbert, WR
Pressure on Prescott was a major factor in the offense’s inability to move the chains, as you’ll see mentioned frequently in this piece. That implies that players had to make quick receptions at one or more points, and Jalen Tolbert was aware of his responsibility. Tolbert rewarded Prescott with a 45-yard grab on a second-and-4 with the Cowboys behind 16–7 after pulling it away from the defender at the high point. Tolbert made one of his best receptions of the season.
Micah Parsons, W (Weapon)
Parsons is obviously not happy with the officiating. He got into a heated confrontation with the referee after receiving a roughing the passer penalty at the conclusion of the second half, which allowed the Dolphins to score and retake the lead. His teammates had to intervene and calm him down. Apart from that, Parsons was a nuisance in the backfield and during the run game. He made one particularly good stop against De’Von Achane on a third-and-five in the second quarter, which forced the Dolphins to punt on that drive.
Donovan Wilson, S
He followed instructions to assist with run support and prevent the big play. Wilson led the Cowboys in tackling efficiency at halftime and for the majority of the game against the Dolphins. Wilson didn’t have the most spectacular performance, but it was also the result of a rough day for the seasoned safety, who had to keep everything in front of him, which is difficult given the speed at which he had to bottle it up.
Jourdan Lewis, CB
Lewis was really active at the line of scrimmage in this game, and I really like that. His contributions to run defense—a TFL on Raheem Mostert, for example—and to Mike McDaniel’s attempts to involve his receivers in the rushing attack—Lewis holding Jaylen Waddle to a two-yard gain on a play that could have been much worse in the third quarter on a second-and-10—have been noticeable on multiple occasions. The Cowboys defense had a strong day against the run in part because of him.
Alright, so this one is a little confusing. After converting for first downs on two different third downs and grabbing an eight-yard reception, Luepke was crucial in helping the Cowboys offense advance down the field on their opening drive. However, things quickly went horribly wrong after that. Prescott fumbled the handoff with only one yard remaining to punch it into the end zone, allowing the Dolphins to recover the fumble. Although it is the sole mark against the rookie in what was generally his greatest game of the season, it is a hell of a mark against him.
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