Cowboys Beat Giants on Monday Night Football: 3 Takeaways

Dallas moves to 2-1 after defeating the New York Giants 23-16 in Week 3.

When Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was announced to need surgery on his throwing hand, many chalked this season up as a lost cause.

With Dak Prescott our, it genuinely feels like the #Cowboys season is over after 1 week.

— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) September 12, 2022

However, Cowboys backup quarterback Cooper Rush has been more than Dallas fans could have hoped for these past couple weeks, willing Dallas to a 2-1 record. Dallas is coming off of a 23-16 victory against the New York Giants in Week 3, while keeping hopes of a playoff season alive. Here are our biggest takeaways from the Cowboys' Week 3 victory:

1) Dallas has the NFL's best defense

Three games and just three touchdowns allowed by the Dallas defense. The Cowboys have yet to allow more than 20 points in a game, while having faced quarterbacks Tom Brady and Joe Burrow. Additionally, Dallas' defense leads the NFL in sacks with 13 over that span. Additionally, People always say "defense wins championships." If that proverb rings true, Dallas has lots of reasons to be excited about this season, as they are showing they're perhaps the NFL's best on that side of the ball.

2) Despite early struggles, CeeDee Lamb a WR1

Dallas fans had their pitchforks ready and the mob was forming after Lamb dropped a wide-open would-be 40-yard touchdown pass from Rush in the second quarter.

This CeeDee Lamb drop was the highlight of the first half 😅

(via @RotoStJournal)pic.twitter.com/rzBym6NBLs

— Bally Sports (@BallySports) September 27, 2022

However, Lamb bounced back, making a critical catch for a first down on fourth-and-four late in fourth quarter. Lamb on that same drive then made a left-handed, one-handed touchdown catch to give Dallas the game deciding score.

🧵 - For all the hate he’s endured this year… just gonna put this out there for all y’all Ceedee Lamb haters after what he just did that last drive! #DallasCowboys

4th down catch while getting blown up: pic.twitter.com/uQHn1RHvFh

— Alex King (@AKing_Evals) September 27, 2022

That's No. 1 WR CeeDee Lamb.

My goodness. pic.twitter.com/OVqZdVT7yV

— Joey Hayden (@_joeyhayden) September 27, 2022

Despite early struggles, Lamb bounced back and showed his resiliency, while displaying the makeup of a No. 1 receiver.

3) KaVontae Turpin is the real deal

The Cowboys return man didn't find the end zone against the Giants, but Turpin made it two weeks in a row where he's gotten extremely close.

Cowboys returner KaVontae Turpin was nearly off to the races last Sunday. Within locker room, there is a strong belief that a Turpin return touchdown is just a matter of time. "It's coming soon." Story: https://t.co/Lhk24sxcXn pic.twitter.com/xi1y63EDrQ

— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) September 24, 2022

This is the fastest anyone has ever accelerated. Turpin is special. #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/gvv9ZHU2Rv

— Tony Clements (@TonyCMKE) September 27, 2022

Turpin averaged 26 yards per return against the Giants, while nearly breaking loose on both of his returns. There's belief in the Dallas locker room that it's just a matter of time before Turpin scores, which comes as no surprise with how he's been playing. Special teams is often a sneaky difference maker in the outcome of football games ... and Dallas may have itself an electric playmaker in that area now.

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