The Dallas Cowboys have gone into the locker room with a 20-7 halftime deficit in their 2018 playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams. There are multiple factors to the score, but none bigger than Dallas’ defense getting decimated by the L.A. running backs.
Todd Gurley has 80 yards on just 10 carries and C.J. Anderson has 78 yards on 12 touches. Each has scored a touchdown, and the Cowboys seemingly have no answer for the ground game that Sean McVay has drawn up.
Gurley’s touchdown was set up by a killer penalty against Byron Jones, which allowed L.A. to keep the ball after what should have a 3rd-down stop.
After Dak Prescott connected with Amari Cooper for a touchdown on the opening drive, Dallas has been unable to score again thus far. Ezekiel Elliott started to flash some things at the end of the half, but thus far has just nine carries for 40 yards.
Dak has made some good plays, but also nearly threw a pick-6 that the Rams’ defender dropped. The next play, he threw an incomplete on 3rd-and-5 when he could have easily run for the first down.
So far, Dallas has been outclassed on both sides of the ball. But they will get the first possession of the second half, and a touchdown could still keep them in this ball game.