PFF weighs in

[atlantacowboy]

It was largely an unimpressive night from Dak Prescott. He had a couple of nice throws up the seam (including one to Randall Cobb on that final drive that got them into hail mary range), but his accuracy throughout much of the night was pedestrian, and he just couldn’t get the ball moving downfield consistently.

Ezekiel Elliott couldn’t get anything going on the ground, either. New Orleans stifled him all night. It didn’t matter if the Cowboys were trying to stretch things out wide or hit a gap up the middle. Zeke was unable to convert on a couple of short-yardage situations and he fumbled the ball the one time he picked up enough yards to move the sticks on a key 4th-and-1.

Robert Quinn gave Terron Armstead issues all game long with his speed. One of his two sacks cames from beating the pull protection to the outside and looping all the way around to get the sack while fighting through a hold.

Leighton Vander Esch had a few issues in the run game with missed tackles, but he was flying to the ball carrier and making plays that few other linebackers could make. Vander Esch forced the Saints to have to look to different weapons outside of Alvin Kamara and effectively prevented any big plays from the Saints’ star back.

 

[atlantacowboy]

I'd add........

DLAW was invisible. We need more from him. A lot more.

 

[Hawkeye19]

I'd add........

DLAW was invisible. We need more from him. A lot more.

He did come through with his second roughing the passer call on the year though lol

 

[atlantacowboy]

He did come through with his second roughing the passer call on the year though lol

Yeah, but that was a BS call. He got pushed down into Bridgewaters legs by the LT.

 

[Hawkeye19]

Yeah, but that was a BS call. He got pushed down into Bridgewaters legs by the LT.

Hell... I agree. But the league will flag you for tickling the QB these days. Gotta avoid putting yourself in that position when you know they are going to flag you

 

[xwalker]

I'd add........

DLAW was invisible. We need more from him. A lot more.

They gave up 12 points.

 

[atlantacowboy]

Hell... I agree. But the league will flag you for tickling the QB these days. Gotta avoid putting yourself in that position when you know they are going to flag you

Thats just QB pressure. Might as well outlaw QB sacks and drop 11 into zone coverage......which is pretty close to the future of the NFL.

 

[Hawkeye19]

Thats just QB pressure. Might as well outlaw QB sacks and drop 11 into zone coverage......which is pretty close to the future of the NFL.

Yep. The league has over-reacted in regards to QB protetcion

BUT— its a massive business and the QBs are the #1 asset— so it is just the competition committee (which is controlled by the owners)— protecting their ROI

Refs are really hurting the product on the field though

 

[Section446]

I'd add........

DLAW was invisible. We need more from him. A lot more.

He's very average to start the year, terrible investment. Hopefully, he's just still recovering from the injury and he'll be back soon.

 

[acr731]

So you're saying Dak's HOF induction on Tuesday has been postponed? Dang it....

 

[Captain-Crash]

Dak is great with perfect protection.

 

[Hennessy_King]

It was largely an unimpressive night from Dak Prescott. He had a couple of nice throws up the seam (including one to Randall Cobb on that final drive that got them into hail mary range), but his accuracy throughout much of the night was pedestrian, and he just couldn’t get the ball moving downfield consistently.

Ezekiel Elliott couldn’t get anything going on the ground, either. New Orleans stifled him all night. It didn’t matter if the Cowboys were trying to stretch things out wide or hit a gap up the middle. Zeke was unable to convert on a couple of short-yardage situations and he fumbled the ball the one time he picked up enough yards to move the sticks on a key 4th-and-1.

Robert Quinn gave Terron Armstead issues all game long with his speed. One of his two sacks cames from beating the pull protection to the outside and looping all the way around to get the sack while fighting through a hold.

Leighton Vander Esch had a few issues in the run game with missed tackles, but he was flying to the ball carrier and making plays that few other linebackers could make. Vander Esch forced the Saints to have to look to different weapons outside of Alvin Kamara and effectively prevented any big plays from the Saints’ star back.

Was it just me or did it seem like nothing was open in the passing game

 

[atlantacowboy]

Was it just me or did it seem like nothing was open in the passing game

Lattimore took away Cooper......no Gallup...... conservative play calling...... I'm wondering if the pressure to feed Zeke is messing with the offense Moore really wants to run. All I know is that they looked at lot better when Zeke was on a pitch count.

 

[Noclaf]

They gave up 12 points.

And if Brees was playing they would of given up 40

 

[CATCH17]

Everytime we passed on first down it lead to another first down.

 

[atlantacowboy]

So you're saying Dak's HOF induction on Tuesday has been postponed? Dang it....

HOF? lol

I'd settle for a 40 yard drive and FG try.

 

[Hennessy_King]

Everytime we passed on first down it lead to another first down.

I said it all night we needed to just keep passing to open up the run game. It never happened. I mean we couldn't convert a 2nd and 1 in the 4th quarter. O line and rb sucked last night.

 

[Denim Chicken]

Conner Williams is a problem

 

[aria]

Lattimore took away Cooper......no Gallup...... conservative play calling...... I'm wondering if the pressure to feed Zeke is messing with the offense Moore really wants to run. All I know is that they looked at lot better when Zeke was on a pitch count.

Or did they look a lot better because we’ve literally played 3 of the 4 worst teams in the league? Just saw a Gnats defensive stat yesterday, they were literally 31st or 32nd in 3 out of 4 defensive categories, the one they weren’t last or near last in they were 25th.

 

[atlantacowboy]

Or did they look a lot better because we’ve literally played 3 of the 4 worst teams in the league? Just saw a Gnats defensive stat yesterday, they were literally 31st or 32nd in 3 out of 4 defensive categories, the one they weren’t last or near last in they were 25th.

Well, that is a thought isn't it? Someone said on another post that next week will tell us a lot about whether last night was an aberration or the first 3 games were the aberration.