Cowboys Crush: Dallas Blows Out L.A. Rams - Top 10 Whitty Observations
With point-producing plays from offense, defense and special teams the Dallas Cowboys blew out another opponent at AT&T Stadium, this time the Los Angeles Rams, 43-20.
10. BLAND IS THE NEW SPICE - Deion Sanders. Everson Walls. Mel Renfro. Cornell Green. Larry Brown. Trevon Diggs. Da'Ron Bland accomplished a feat Sunday never achieved by the greatest defensive backs in franchise history. Bland jumped a quick pass in the first quarter and picked it off for a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown. He is now the only Cowboys player to have three Pick 6s in a single season. Bland also scored on interceptions against the Giants and Patriots.
9. HERE WE GO! - For the second consecutive home game, Dak Prescott had the tone and tenor of a beer vendor. In a rudimentary call straight out of Pop Warner football, the Cowboys' quarterback constantly got his offense to the line and just before the snap yelled "Here we go!". If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
8. DOUBLE DEJA VU - For obvious reasons, DFW sports fans should be happy when the Texas Rangers get to the World Series. Cowboys fans should root particularly hard. In 2011 when the Rangers made it to the Fall Classic, the Cowboys hosted the Rams in Arlington. In 2023, the Rangers are playing deep into October and the Cowboys again hosted the Rams. In 2011: Cowboys 34, Rams 7; 2023: Cowboys 43, Rams 20.
7. LAMB MIMICS GOAT - CeeDee Lamb has called for more passes and Sunday he got them and caught them. Except for one. The Cowboys' receiver had 12 catches for 158 yards and two touchdowns, dropping only one pass.
6. SUDDEN SWITCH - Hard to say a 23-point blowout turned on one play. Especially on the game's first series. But the Cowboys' onslaught certainly took a U-turn on an iffy illegal contact penalty on the Rams. Prescott was sacked on three of his first drop-backs, but instead of punting his team was given a fresh set of downs when Quentin Lake was called for a subtle shove on Lamb in the secondary. Instead of punting, eight plays later the Cowboys led 7-0 in route to another home cakewalk.
CeeDee Lamb and the Cowboys blew out the Rams Sunday at AT&T Stadium.
5. JERRY-MANDERED - In one of the biggest moments of his NFL life, DeMarcus Ware had ... his name butchered. During halftime's Ring of Honor ceremony, Jerry Jones referred to Ware as "DeMarcus Lawrence." Count that as a Cowboys' turnover?
4. TRADE TALK - Tuesday is Halloween. But also this year's NFL trade deadline. Are the Cowboys set as an improving 5-2 team? Or are they a team with holes interested in seemingly every single player: cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Patrick Surtain, receivers Davante Adams, Jerry Jeudy and Michael Thomas, and running back Derrick Henry?
3. SPECIAL TEAMS - A 58-yard field goal by Brandon Aubrey. A blocked punt for a safety by Sam Williams. A 63-yard kick return by KaVontae Turpin. They were all part of the Cowboys scoring 19 points in 4:25 and a pretty satisfactory day for Cowboys special teams coach John Fassel.
2. APPETIZERS, ANYONE? - The Los Angeles doubleheader - consecutive wins over the Chargers and Rams - was nice and all, but the main event doesn't happen until next week. Next Sunday afternoon: 5-2 Cowboys at 7-1 Eagles.
1. HOME SWEET HOME - While the Rangers propelled themselves into the World Series by going 8-0 on the road in the playoffs, the Cowboys are suddenly the NFL's most dominant home team. They improved to 3-0 at AT&T Stadium, blowing out the Jets, Patriots and Rams by a combined 111-33. The Cowboys have won 11 consecutive in Arlington, their longest winning streak to leaving Texas Stadium in 2009. They haven't lost at home since last season's opener to Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
