News: BST: Cowboys Rolling Like 2007 Team Did on Way to NFC's Top Seed

[NewsBot]

The Dallas Cowboys are averaging 32 points and 481 yards per game during their first 3-0 start since 2008, and the defending NFC East champions already have a two-game lead in the division.

Because Dallas has won each game by at least 10 points, it feels a little more like 2007 -- the only time in the past 35 years, including all three Super Bowl seasons in the 1990s, that the Cowboys went five games before losing.

"I know that I've thought we missed a great opportunity in '07, to not knock on the door of the Super Bowl," owner Jerry Jones said after Sunday's 31-6 victory over the Miami Dolphins.

"When you've got that going for you and you have got all that working together, you've really got to step up there and get it done. I think we're as talented as we were at any of those times."

Dallas went 13-3 and had a first-round bye 12 years ago before losing at home to the New York Giants in a divisional playoff. Quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott did the same thing as rookies in 2016, losing the divisional playoff to Green Bay.

But the 2016 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year is three years wiser -- despite Prescott's ill-conceived interception against the dismantled Dolphins -- and Elliott has won two rushing titles.

In the second half against Miami, the defense finally looked a little more like the 2018 unit that played a big part in Dallas making the playoffs. The Dolphins didn't score while gaining just 67 yards after halftime.

"Forget the record," Prescott said. "This team can be really good, and we have to focus on that and how we get there. I promise you those guys in the locker room that we have are going to come in with the mindset of how we are going to get better and not about the fact that we're 3-0."

WHAT'S WORKING

The Cowboys thought they found a hidden gem in the fourth round in Memphis running back Tony Pollard. He showed it while Elliott was holding out seeking a new contract, seizing the lead role until the two-time rushing champion returned with a new deal.

The rookie showed it again in his most extensive regular-season action, getting 103 yards on 13 carries and his first touchdown, a 16-yarder. With Elliott's 125-yard day, the Cowboys had two 100-yard rushers in the same game for the first time since Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith did it alongside Chris Warren in 1998.

WHAT NEEDS HELP

Prescott's interception was a bad one -- a deep throw into a mass of defensive backs after he had more than enough time to throw ("went through every read probably three times, I guess"). A quarterback whose strength has always been protecting the ball has interceptions in consecutive games, both on messy plays. Prescott needs to get back to making sure the messy plays don't result in turnovers.

STOCK UP

The pass rushing tandem of DeMarcus Lawrence and Robert Quinn looked promising at first glance. Each had a sack as the Cowboys finished with three. Quinn was making his Dallas debut following a two-game suspension for performance enhancers.

STOCK DOWN

The team's first 100-yard penalty day of the season (eight for 100) included a holding call against left guard Connor Williams that wiped out a 74-yard touchdown pass to Randall Cobb.

KEY NUMBER

Third and 20 -- Prescott's 33-yard completion to Jason Witten converted that long third down. It was a broken play, with Prescott scrambling to the open field and forcing Witten's defender to close. The 37-year-old Witten, in his record 16th season, caught the touch pass over the shoulder on the run along the sideline. "Me playing a little backyard football and a guy that's played football for a long time," Prescott said.

NEXT STEPS

After being 22-point favorites against the rebuilding Dolphins, the Cowboys get the Saints without Drew Brees on Sunday in New Orleans, although Teddy Bridgewater helped lead a win over Seattle.

Copyright Associated Press / NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth


Photo Credit: Getty Images

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[LACowboysFan1]

Dallas went 13-3 and had a first-round bye 12 years ago before losing at home to the New York Giants in a divisional playoff.

And that's why a lot of folks here like me can't get too excited about going 3-0 and beating teams that without Dallas' win over them are 1-5.

Had our hearts broken before when the team had early and often success, doesn't mean this team will do the same, but we have history to deal with.

But if I could respond a bit to some points on the article:

1. The interception is troubling, that is just the kind of play that can lose games or change momentum. The biggest problem I have is that it was just so unnecessary, you know you're playing a weak team, and your offense is geared towards ball control with running, why take a chance? Dak's thinking was way off on that play.
2. Yes they had 3 sacks but if memory serves two of those came after the Cowboys had a big lead, and didn't have to worry as much about the run. If a team is gashing them on the ground, as I suspect Kamara will do (whether the Saints win or not), will sacks still come?
3. Penalties were a big problem for Dallas last year, 100 yards is too much. Hopefully this game was an aberration.
4. Yes they converted 3rd and 20, but that's not a high percentage play, you can say it shows the Cowboys have big play capability, but also troubling is that the play was made by the wily veteran Witten, where are our other tight ends' heads at?


I know, I sound like negative Nancy here, but I'm not down on the team, just noting there are things that don't point to a SB win, all teams have glitches, but we're not a team that's enjoyed great success as far as titles and playoff wins in the last 24 years. Every year that passes without a title means there's one less year for this old fan to celebrate my team as number uno....