The Dallas Cowboys got a much-needed bounce-back win against the Atlanta Falcons 43-3 in Week 10, led by their defense. Rookie Linebacker Micah Parsons picked up his sixth sack of the season, Defensive End Dorance Armstrong recorded a sack and blocked a punt, and cornerbacks Trevon Diggs and Anthony Brown each registered interceptions.
On the Falcons’ second possession of the game, however, Cornerback Jourdan Lewis would set the tone for the Cowboys’ defensive masterpiece. On 3rd and 7 from the Cowboys 32, Lewis made a huge pass breakup while defending rookie Tight End Kyle Pitts on an out route. Instead of kicking a field goal, the Falcons went for it on 4th down, which was a mistake. This time defending Wide Receiver Russell Gage, Lewis stopped an underneath route and forced a turnover on downs which the Cowboys took full advantage of and built a 14-3 lead after an Ezekiel Elliott touchdown.
The former Michigan Wolverine put the cherry on top early in the fourth quarter. Lewis intercepted backup Quarterback Josh Rosen, his second of the season which tied his single-season high of two from 2019.
Lewis’s 94.5 grade according to Pro Football Focus was the highest for all Cowboys defenders and his best in any single game of his career. He was targeted five times but only allowed one reception for no gain. Lewis also tied a single-game career-high with his three pass breakups (did it twice as a rookie in 2017).
The Cowboys are tied for second with 14 interceptions which have led to a plus-five turnover differential, the sixth-best in the NFL. Lewis told the media during a postgame interview that the performance of the defense on Sunday was the standard that they should play at, and something they have been focused on doing since the beginning of the offseason program.
“It’s just the standard,” Lewis said. “I mean, that’s what we’re supposed to do. That’s supposed to happen. We’re supposed to take the ball away, fly around on defense and play how we did today.
“That’s what we planned to do in March OTAs. Just go out there, fly around and understand that we were building something special.”
The play of the Cowboys’ secondary in 2021, which has been a weak spot in years past, has been a pleasant surprise, and Lewis wasn’t hesitant to rave about the unit.
“It’s a group full of dogs,” said Lewis. “We love playing with each other. We love competing with each other. You can see from A.B. to Trevon, to all of us, we’re just competing against ourselves, trying to get better and dominate.”
Lewis signed a three-year deal worth up to $16.5 million back in March. He’s showing that he’s a valuable member of what the Cowboys do defensively and playing at the level he can as a third corner makes the defense in Dallas that much stronger.
