Cowboys Report Card: Josh Allen's 'Free A,' Failing Grades in Buffalo

Dallas Cowboys Report Card: Failing Grades in Buffalo Bills Humiliation

The Dallas Cowboys had their soul, lunch money, and anything else you can think of stolen by the Buffalo Bills in a 31-10 loss at Highmark Stadium on Sunday in NFL Week 15. ... and the grades we're about to hand out to the class are not good ones - and yet at the same time are ones that Bills QB Josh Allen can joke about.

“I felt like the kid that didn’t do anything in the class project,'' said Allen, who beat Dallas despite being just 7-of-15 for 94 yards, "and stll got an A!''

Very funny. But Dallas isn't laughing.

Coach Mike McCarthy's team never looked like a winning one as the Bills' rushing attack - keyed by James Cook - devastatingly brutalized the Cowboys.

It was as poor of a performance as the Cowboys have had since the Week 5 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, and now Dallas - even though the way the weekend action fell did clinch a playoff berth - has to lick its wounds and get ready to face the Miami Dolphins next week.

Oh, yeah. On the road. Not a friendly place for this Cowboys bunch.

Before the game, we highlighted five keys that the Cowboys had to heed if they were to win on the road and end the Bills' playoff hopes. So, what are our grades? Hint, it isn't good.

1. Protect the ball: FAIL This does seem a bit harsh on Dak Prescott as for three quarters he didn't have a pick but he did have a couple of "turnover-worthy" passes prior to his interception in the fourth quarter as he was chasing the game.

It always felt like an interception was waiting to happen, and it did. Interceptions WILL matter this week.

2. Be ready for a Josh Allen turnover: BIG FAIL Allen had thrown an interception in nine straight games and in the rain, it did seem that one might break Dallas' way.

But given how well the run game obliterated the Cowboys' defense, Allen only threw it 15 times, as he was never in any danger of a turnover.

The Cowboys were bullied by the Bills in a 31-10 loss / Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

3. Protect Dak Prescott: BIG FAIL At no stage in the game did Dak look comfortable in the pocket as the Bills defensive front constantly created pressure, which forced errant throws.

Prescott was sacked three times as he never got his feet underneath him. It now marks 10 sacks in the last three games for the Cowboys' offensive line as it is starting to become a problem, especially with Zack Martin hobbled.

4. Win on third down: BIG FAIL Dallas, who are usually so good on third down, struggled mightily against the Bills, converting just 5 of 13 on the day.

The offense looked out of sorts from the outset and never got into a rhythm and was constantly forced into long down and distances.

5. Get the Texas Coast Offense rolling: BIG FAIL McCarthy's offense totaled just 89 total yards in the first half as it was completely shut down, in a similar way that the 49ers managed to do in Week 5.

In total, the offense had 195 total yards (lowest of the season), Prescott completed 21 of his 34 passes for just 134 yards and an interception.

Tony Pollard had his moments. But due to Dallas falling behind early, the run game has to be parked. Just yuck all around.

Disaster In The Downpour: Cowboys Blown Out By Bills

5A. Keep Allen in the pocket: FAIL Allen would have 16 yards and a touchdown in the first half and would finish with eight rushes for 24 yards, but it was the timing of his rushes as he picked up a third down and also rushed for a touchdown.

But while Allen was kept in check, James Cook was on fire as he ran all over the Cowboys to the tune of 179 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries.

Cook's 221 yards from scrimmage (he added two catches for 42 yards) are the most by a Bills player since 2010.

Why did Buffalo keep going to that well?

"Why get away from it?" Bills coach Sean McDermott said.

In all, it makes for a brutal assessment of the Cowboys. Yes, they are 10-4 and yes they are playoff-bound. But in truth, given how important this test was in the context of their season, and seeing how they graded out, we have to wonder if they even bothered to study for it.