Do you know that saying about what happens when you assume? To put it lightly, I’ll gladly make a fool out of myself after seeing what the Dallas Cowboys were able to do to the Carolina Panthers’ defense. Once again, Dak Prescott and the Cowboys were in command and had the league’s # 1 rated run and pass defense guessing all Sunday afternoon.
In my preview leading up to the game, I had explained where I was concerned about the Panthers defense’s capability of creating pressure on opposing quarterbacks. To be honest, I wondered if the Cowboys might be overmatched on the offensive line. Luckily for Cowboys fans, the team didn’t get the memo as they poured on 36 points and 433 yards on offense while improving to 3-1 on the season.
Trevon Diggs continues to build on what I might say is a bid for defensive player of the year, snaring two interceptions (5 total this season). The Dallas defense as a whole was up and down; getting pressure on Sam Darnold, but allowing the Panthers to sustain long drives at different points throughout the game.
There were also questionable coaching decisions, and the Panthers were able to close a wide margin late. Ultimately the Cowboys were able to put the Panthers away. As always, let’s take a closer look and trace this Murder by the Numbers.
[pickup_prop id=”13044″]
0 – Sacks Allowed by the Dallas Cowboys
This is what I find the most remarkable about the Cowboys offense in this game. The Panthers weren’t able to get to Dak Prescott and it wasn’t from a lack of trying. The Panthers remained true to themselves in sending extra rushers at Prescott, but to no success.
Kellen Moore and Prescott had a counter for whatever Phil Snow and the Panthers defense had planned. The 6th-year pro posted his highest QBR this season of 88.1 en route to four touchdown passes; thanks to the offensive line keeping him upright in the pocket.
Prescott’s pass target distribution was key in keeping the Panthers defense off-balance. Out of Prescott’s 22 pass attempts, 11 of those went to the tight ends (Blake Jarwin and Dalton Schultz), and 10 to the wide receivers (Cedrick Wilson, Ceedee Lamb, and Amari Cooper). The multiplicity of the Dallas offense proved too much for even the NFL’s best defense.
245 – Cowboys Team Rushing Yards
Speaking of the multiplicity of the Dallas offense, we have to highlight how effective the running game was. The Cowboys drove the Carolina defensive front into the turf from first to final whistle. Leading up to the game, the Panthers were allowing 46 rushing yards per game.
On Sunday, the Cowboys eclipsed that mark by nearly six times as much. Let that sink in. The Cowboys offensive line was dominant, opening up huge holes for Tony Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott, the latter of whom also deserves a lot of praise.
Zeke Elliott has had more than his fair share of doubters this offseason, but he’s responded in a major way. Elliott looked strong running through contact and elusive behind the line of scrimmage. There were more than a few times where a defender would make contact, and Elliott would leave that defender reaching for air, or carry them an additional 3-4 yards. Elliott flashed the speed fans questioned if he still had on a season-long 47-yard run; rounding out his day with 20 carries for 143 yards and 7.2 yards a carry.
[pickup_prop id=”6250″]
11 – Quarterback Hits on Sam Darnold
From the haves, to the have nots. I have to spotlight the rate at which the Cowboys were able to hit and disrupt Sam Darnold. Oftentimes, fans will focus on the static results and fixate on sack numbers; but the rate at which you can put a quarterback under duress, the more those sacks numbers will increase.
Don’t get me wrong, sacks are always welcome; and the Cowboys were in the mood to please, with five of those today (two from Randy Gregory). It’s not just that the Cowboys tallied 11 quarterback hits in today’s game, it’s the improved pace from last season.
We all remember how awful the Cowboys defense was last year. This was primarily because they were unable to affect the passing game at all. Last year, they had the 9th fewest quarterback hits with 45. Through four games they are currently sitting at 22 quarterback hits. They are on pace for 93.5 over 17 games, more than twice their last season total.
Let’s remember that arguably the best player on the Dallas defense, Demarcus Lawrence, is on injured reserve. Micah Parsons, a very effective pass rusher in his own right, played most of his snaps today at linebacker. Hopefully this is a trend that continues, because as of right now, the Dallas Cowboys are winning the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
Make sure to follow me on Twitter, here.
