When Trevon Diggs tore his ACL in September, I remember wondering if DaRon Bland could step into a more significant role and help keep the backend above water.
It is safe to say that he has just that through 12 weeks.
The second-year corner recorded his record-breaking fifth pick of the season on Thanksgiving day.
A 63-yard interception return touchdown off Commanders quarterback Sam Howell that put the Cowboys up 35 is what set the record.
“Just go, go,” Bland said postgame when asked what was going through his mind after securing the football.
“Actually, it was my perfect one just to show my teammates return skills because that's what they said. They see all the pick-sixes now they say they got to see one with return skills.
“Hopefully I showed them… I couldn't even celebrate after, they picked me up and put me in the pot. It was great having that energy from my teammates. It means a lot.”
What a great time to set the record with his family in town to watch the game on Thanksgiving.
“It means everything,” Bland said. “My family is here, so it was great to break the record in front of them.”
After his record-setting day, many people around the league are already calling for Bland to win Defensive Player of the Year.
With a handful of games left, he will still need to suit up every week and continue doing what he does every week.
Make big plays.
Bland just won Defensive Player of the Week this past weekend. Depending on what others do on Sunday, he might get another.
In his second NFL season, Bland has the same number of pick-sixes that Pro Football Hall of Famers Night Train Lane, Ronnie Lott, and Ken Riley had in their entire careers.
Bland's 12 interceptions led the NFL since his debut in 2022.
Dallas will need Bland to stay hot as they will host Seattle next Thursday and then welcome the Eagles.
If the Cowboys can win both of these games before heading back on the road to take on the Bills and the Dolphins, they will give themselves a chance to be a top 2 seed in the NFC.
The Cowboys are rolling on both sides of the ball right now, regardless of who they have played. Even in the loss to the Eagles, they won that game nine times out of 10.
They will return the favor when Philly comes to Dallas in two weeks.
Another positive from the last month or so is that everyone stays healthy.
That will be a key going through this stretch of games in December.
You need your best players on the field as they go up against some other great teams.
Bland still has six more games to try and add to a total that may never be broken.
He has more touchdowns than DeAndre Hopkins, DeVonta Smith, Devante Adams, Calvin Ridley, and Brandon Aiyuk. Say what you want, but for a corner, that is unreal.
