Many of us came into this game with questions.
Questions about how the offense would respond after the bye week, and what adjustments Mike McCarthy would make.
Those questions have mostly been answered…for now.
After their first game this season decided by less than 12 points, the Cowboys followed up their three point win over the Chargers with a blowout of the Rams.
I’ll admit, after Dak Prescott was sacked on consecutive pass plays to start the game, I was worried about the Cowboys’ ability to protect him.
Tyron Smith was ruled out just before game time with a neck stinger that is limiting his strength.
Chuma Edoga filled in, and immediately gave up a sack on the first snap of the game.
After that, it was smooth sailing for the Cowboys in all three phases.
1st Half
The Dallas Cowboys rolled to a 33-9 halftime advantage on the strength of all three phases of the game.
After a fortunate Illegal Contact penalty on their first 3rd down of the game, Prescott then led the Cowboys to an opening drive touchdown.
The drive was capped off by a beautiful throw up the seam that resulted in an equally beautiful catch by TE Jake Ferguson for an 18 yard one-handed touchdown catch.
Los Angeles then drove the length of the field, powered by a 17 yard Matthew Stafford pass to Puka Nacua on 3rd & 11.
The Cowboys defense bent but didn’t break, and the Rams settled for a field goal to bring the score to 7-3.
After a successful drive that ended in a Brandon Aubrey 58 yard field goal, the Cowboys’ defense made a statement.
On the first play of the ensuing Rams drive, second year CB DaRon Bland stepped in front of a Stafford pass, and returned the interception 30 yards for a touchdown.
That marked Bland’s third interception returned for touchdown on the season, a league leader.
The Dallas defense then forced a punt.
This time it was blocked by Sam Williams, and bounced out of the back of the endzone for a safety, resulting in a 19-3 lead for the Cowboys.
On the ensuing punt style kickoff, returner KaVontae Turpin weaved in and out of Rams’ defenders for a 63 yard return.
Prescott and the offense setup at the Rams’ 13 yard line, and scored in two short plays.
CeeDee Lamb hauled in his second touchdown of the season on a perfect pass from Prescott for a 26-3 lead.
A few drives later, Dallas extended the lead with yet another touchdown pass from Prescott to Lamb.
This time Prescott scrambled out of the pocket, and found Lamb wide open from 22 yards away for a 33-3 lead.
Stafford led a 75 yard touchdown drive before the half to shrink the deficit to 33-9.
2nd Half
Receiving the 2nd half kickoff, Stafford and the Rams drove all the way down the field for back to back touchdown drives.
With the score sitting at 33-17, Prescott drove the Cowboys down the field for a successful Aubrey 27 yard field goal and a 36-17 lead.
The only other touchdown scored in the game came after a Rams turnover on downs that setup the Cowboys with great field position at their own 46 yard line.
WR Brandin Cooks notched his second consecutive game with a touchdown catch after hauling in a 25 yard touchdown on a go route up the sideline.
The catch gave the Cowboys a 43-17 lead, and cued the exit of Prescott in favor of Cooper Rush and most of the backups.
Summary
The Dallas Cowboys dominated in their first game after the bye week, demolishing the Los Angeles Rams by the score of 43-20.
Dallas used an uber-efficient game by Dak Prescott to secure the victory.
Prescott finished the game 25/31 for 304 yards and 4 touchdowns, his best outing of the season.
His primary target was CeeDee Lamb, who hauled in 12 receptions for 158 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The defense and special teams did their part, and the Cowboys move on to 5-2 on the season after a 43-20 beat down of the Los Angeles Rams.
Next up is a huge matchup for the Philadelphia Eagles.