They didn't get the win against Green Bay but they played their best game overall.
Rodgers is much better than the other QBs they've faced.
Did anybody notice how often Aikman said that Rodgers was frustrated? Several times he could not find an open receiver.
The defense intentionally over-focused on the pass and dared Green Bay's run game to beat them. They played a 3-tech DT most of the game with starter Paea out. The DL played all snaps in pass rush mode which caused then to be out of position on some runs.
The Cowboys running game looked it's best this this season. Zeke finally had a few runs like last year where it looked like he would be stopped for about 3 yards but ended up with about 8 and a 1st down.
This was Dak's best game. The INT was primarily on TWilliams. It was about 6 inches off target but should not have been a difficult catch and at worse case should have bounced forward out of his hands, not allowed to go through his hands.
Dez was a more efficient target. He had more yards in the last game but dropped less balls this time. He did drop a TD that hit both hands but got bailed out by a penalty on GB.
The biggest negative was Jaylon. He is just not very good.
Penalties probably cost the Cowboys the game. The facemask by Hitchens and the Personal Foul by Mayowa kept GB drives alive. A non-call on interference against Witten probably cost 4 points.
I really like the young secondary. They often frustrated Rodgers. Lewis is the best CB. They had Brown in over Scandrick on some of the 2 CB sets. Scandrick looks stiff. Awuzie has barely played this season but looked good when he did.
Woods is playing a lot of snaps in Dime. Frazier was inactive but previously played more Safety snaps than Woods. Maybe people get their wish at some point with Woods over Heath. For another week Heath was not as bad as people claim but he's not really good either. He should have been in better position on that final TD by GB.
I would seriously play the Safety Frazier over Jaylon if there are no other options at LB.
Wilson played SLB early but Wilber played there most of the game. I don't know if Wilson was injured or got benched.
The DL got great pressure early but then the pressure faded. I think Green Bay waits until the game gets going before their OL starts holding because refs call a tighter game at the beginning. They have really practiced the art of holding without getting caught.
Fred got called for a hold that was less egregious than what Green Bay does on most snaps but we did get at least one favorable call on the dropped TD pass by Dez.
Oddly the biggest needs on this team for next sesson are likely WR and LB. An elite RDE would always be nice but they don't need to add mid-level talent there as they have a lot of good but not great options. Mid level talent at WR would be an upgrade.
Thank you for the write up. I enjoyed it and agree with most of it. I really thought we played well yesterday. I think if we don't get the bad calls against us OR TWILL doesn't body flop an interception we win that game and everyone is talking about how we are back on track.
I watched Jaylon specifically yesterday and it seemed like he was lost on some plays and his body language indicates he is a bit frustrated. He is filling the wrong hole and he can't change direction very well at all at this point. I think if he gets his ability to cut on a dime he will be a totally different player.
Dez got some very easy catches yesterday. He was also used across the formation more than normal. Green Bay's DBs don't appear to be very good.
Your comment on need at WR and LB is accurate, but interesting. I think TWill is OK as a receiver but he is no better than Butler or Brown for that matter and a rung below Beasley. We are paying TWill too much to be the no 2. When he isn't that good. Also TWill failed to block on a long pass play. Made no effort at all. If he just gets in the way we score on that pass.
Dez should be a possession receiver (#2 receiver) and be paid at that rate. He is not a #1 receiver in any way, shape or form. I was encouraged by our play yesterday and think we are getting closer to putting it all together.
Oh and Taco remains a disappointment and seems to be a non factor. I kept watching for him to be in the vicinity of making a play yesterday but didn't see it. Par for the course!
