Several factors have led to the 3-1 start for the Dallas Cowboys. They are fourth in scoring offense at 31.5 points per game. Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard have led a dominant rushing attack that is currently second in the NFL at 165.8 yards a game. On defense, they are sixth against the run and second in turnovers forced with 10.
Being excellent in all those areas is key for any team but the Cowboys have been great in another way as well. For the season, the Cowboys have only turned the ball over three times which is tied for the second-fewest in the league. Also, their +7 turnover differential is tied with the Buffalo Bills for the best in the NFL.
The Cowboys turnovers this season could have been easily avoided. In the season opener, Dak Prescott was credited with one interception but it was a pass that went off the hands of CeeDee Lamb and should have been caught. A week later, Prescott had a miscommunication on a pass to Lamb that was picked off by rookie Asante Samuel of the Los Angeles Chargers. In Week 3 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Prescott held on to the ball a little too long and was stripped in the end zone for a touchdown.
Besides these very easy mistakes to fix the Cowboys are not giving their opponents a lot of chances to take advantage of short fields due to turnovers. Instead, their defense is getting takeaways (second in the NFL with 10) and giving their offense great opportunities to score points.
The Cowboys face a tricky opponent in Week 5 in the New York Giants. Although they’re 1-3, division games are always tough so it will be critical for the Cowboys to protect the football and not give them any momentum to steal a big win on the road.
