Kaiser
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The story of this game was execution, Dallas played the game they wanted to – run the ball, control the game and be efficient enough in the passing game to keep defenses from keying on the run.
Zeke was the biggest part of that obviously. Even with crazy stats, the biggest thing IMO was the maturity he showed to come back from his worst pro game (mentally) last week to dominate this week. It’s a big part of his development, even his Feed Me celebration was more subdued. And he stepped up big time with that 4th Quarter catch to win the game. That is something the greats do.
The other major part of that equation is that the OL is starting to gel. The biggest factor in line play (beyond talent) is the overall cohesion of the group and you are starting the group execute as a unit. The OTs are settling in, Conner Williams is holding his own (all you can ask of a rookie) and Looney isn’t a liability (all you ask of a backup). It seems like they are settling into Paul Alexander’s methods also, Zeke had some huge holes to run through at times.
Dak was fine, like others have said he is so much better when he isn’t running for his life. But even that is part of a QBs development. Fans need to think about him as a Drew Brees with better leadership than expecting him to be Troy Aikman in his prime.
The defense had coverage breakdowns again but there were two big stories there –
1 – The D didn’t melt with Sean Lee out like last year when they were 10 – 14 points worse with him out of the lineup.
2 – Stafford and the Lions WRs made a ton of phenomenal plays. Give them credit, there were probably 6 – 8 plays where the WR made a phenomenal play. But even though they did it Sunday, you can’t depend on that in the NFL. More than half the time they don’t make the spectacular grab and Dallas gives the ball back to Zeke. In those games Dallas controls the game like they did against the Giants.
Question: Name the most underrated part of this team?
Answer: DLaw’s run defense. (I will award partial credit if you said a starting caliber RB like Rod Smith as a backup).
DLaw did have 3 sacks but he is such a dominant player. Pay the man, as others here have said. But Taco and Randy Gregory played well also, especially in run D. Taco almost forced a Stafford fumble by knocking an OG backwards into the QB, that isn’t something you see from many DE’s. And late in the first quarter, Gregory was forcing hurried throws with a straight bullrush into the LT, something you don’t see from a lot of backups.
And our defense applied that much pressure without Maliek Collins, David Irving and for most of the game, Antuan Woods. Add that to having better blitzing LBs & CBs (loved Jaylon Smith’s fake and blitz on one of DLaw’s sack) and you could have a serious pass rush later this season.
The Lions have a great passing game and completely avoided Byron Jones. When is the last time Dallas fans saw that? Terrence Newman 12 years ago?
My favorite 3 seconds of this game was Zeke’s 4th Quarter catch. My second favorite was Anthony Brown’s facial expression when Kris Richard chewed out the secondary. I’m a petty, petty man.
Has LVE missed a tackle this year? He is half the player he will be with more experience and weight training, but even then he is already a solid starter. Having him to backup Sean Lee is huge. You don’t get a big contribution from rookies but all four of our top picks are going to contribute and be excellent starters in the future.
Overall, the team is 2-2 but finally starting to come together. The first game was essentially preseason and they played that way, then the 3rd game was snakebit. But the elements are there to make the playoffs and do well once they get there.
Zeke was the biggest part of that obviously. Even with crazy stats, the biggest thing IMO was the maturity he showed to come back from his worst pro game (mentally) last week to dominate this week. It’s a big part of his development, even his Feed Me celebration was more subdued. And he stepped up big time with that 4th Quarter catch to win the game. That is something the greats do.
The other major part of that equation is that the OL is starting to gel. The biggest factor in line play (beyond talent) is the overall cohesion of the group and you are starting the group execute as a unit. The OTs are settling in, Conner Williams is holding his own (all you can ask of a rookie) and Looney isn’t a liability (all you ask of a backup). It seems like they are settling into Paul Alexander’s methods also, Zeke had some huge holes to run through at times.
Dak was fine, like others have said he is so much better when he isn’t running for his life. But even that is part of a QBs development. Fans need to think about him as a Drew Brees with better leadership than expecting him to be Troy Aikman in his prime.
The defense had coverage breakdowns again but there were two big stories there –
1 – The D didn’t melt with Sean Lee out like last year when they were 10 – 14 points worse with him out of the lineup.
2 – Stafford and the Lions WRs made a ton of phenomenal plays. Give them credit, there were probably 6 – 8 plays where the WR made a phenomenal play. But even though they did it Sunday, you can’t depend on that in the NFL. More than half the time they don’t make the spectacular grab and Dallas gives the ball back to Zeke. In those games Dallas controls the game like they did against the Giants.
Question: Name the most underrated part of this team?
Answer: DLaw’s run defense. (I will award partial credit if you said a starting caliber RB like Rod Smith as a backup).
DLaw did have 3 sacks but he is such a dominant player. Pay the man, as others here have said. But Taco and Randy Gregory played well also, especially in run D. Taco almost forced a Stafford fumble by knocking an OG backwards into the QB, that isn’t something you see from many DE’s. And late in the first quarter, Gregory was forcing hurried throws with a straight bullrush into the LT, something you don’t see from a lot of backups.
And our defense applied that much pressure without Maliek Collins, David Irving and for most of the game, Antuan Woods. Add that to having better blitzing LBs & CBs (loved Jaylon Smith’s fake and blitz on one of DLaw’s sack) and you could have a serious pass rush later this season.
The Lions have a great passing game and completely avoided Byron Jones. When is the last time Dallas fans saw that? Terrence Newman 12 years ago?
My favorite 3 seconds of this game was Zeke’s 4th Quarter catch. My second favorite was Anthony Brown’s facial expression when Kris Richard chewed out the secondary. I’m a petty, petty man.
Has LVE missed a tackle this year? He is half the player he will be with more experience and weight training, but even then he is already a solid starter. Having him to backup Sean Lee is huge. You don’t get a big contribution from rookies but all four of our top picks are going to contribute and be excellent starters in the future.
Overall, the team is 2-2 but finally starting to come together. The first game was essentially preseason and they played that way, then the 3rd game was snakebit. But the elements are there to make the playoffs and do well once they get there.
