The Dallas Cowboys Grades: Sunday Night Rout

At one point, the score was 14-13. Then it wasn’t. In the fourth quarter, the Dallas Cowboys erupted, scoring a franchise-record 33 points.

The Cowboys weren’t hitting on all cylinders in the beginning. They weren’t as sharp as you’d like them to be.

The Dallas Cowboys showed their class in the second half.

The defense created 5 turnovers but 4 were in the fourth quarter. The offensive machine directed by Dak Prescott scored 7 touchdowns.

A close game turned into a laugher. The Cowboys administered the type of beat down of the Colts you would associate with a college football game, not NFL one.

Dallas made Indianapolis look like a division 3 college team. It was like a grease fire. The Indianapolis Colts didn’t have any sand to put it out.

Dallas Cowboys Run Offense

DeForest Buckner and the rest of the Colts defensive line kept the Cowboys running game in check during the first half. No big plays from Tony Pollard in the first half, who started the game.

The Cowboys stayed committed to their running game, which has been their mantra all season. It paid off too. As the game went on, the Cowboys offensive line wore down the Colts defensive line.

Tony Pollard score on a 30-yard TD run. He continues to inject nitro in the Cowboys’ offensive machine.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1599615287547949056

Tony Pollard has seven 20 plus runs and counting this season. He finished the game with 12 carries for 91 yards, two touchdowns and 7.6 yards per carry.

Ezekiel Elliott joined the rush party with 77 yards on 17 carries and one touchdown. He has not looked this fresh in several years.

Rookie Malik Davis added a 23-yard score late in the fourth quarter. The Cowboys’ ground game was unstoppable. They finished with 220 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns.

Grade: A

Dallas Cowboys Pass Offense

Dak Prescott and his WRs lacked a consistent grove Sunday night. The interception bug continued, but that was outweighed by three touchdowns by Dak.

Lamb is the clear-cut number one receiver of the group. He had five catches for 71 yards and a touchdown.

Michael Gallup is rounding into form as he added a pair of touchdown catches. Each week, the explosiveness is increasing.

Grade: B

Dallas Cowboys Pass Defense

The defensive line didn’t produce a high number of sacks. They only got one. They still hit Matt Ryan seven times and forced him into throwing three interceptions.

Dan Quinn called some well time blitz packages, generating pressure, and resulting in a pair of sacks.

Rookie DaRon Bland picked off two passes. He has done a great job filling in at the slot position.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1599616830108147712

Grade: A

Dallas Cowboys Run Defense

Jonathan Taylor did his damage in the first half, but was a non-factor in the second half. Defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins had his best game as a cowboy last night. Helping to limit Taylor in the game.

Donovan Wilson led the team in tackles with 10 and a sack. He has earned himself some money this season.

Grade: A

Dallas Cowboys Special Teams

Ka’Vontae Turpin had a long return of 27 yards tonight. I am keeping faith he will break one before the regular season is over.

Brett Maher didn’t attempt a field goal, but he had an extra point blocked.

GRADE: C

Dallas Cowboys Coaching

It was nice to see the Cowboys using motion to free up their receivers. Credit to Kellen Moore. A new wrinkle that should explore further.

Dan Quinn unit were a turnover making machine tonight. Malik Hooker has played good football all season except for the lack of splash plays. He had a touchdown return and two turnovers Sunday night.

A trio of young defenders showed up and showed out. DaRon Bland, Damone Clark, and Sam Williams continue to make plays and push for more playing time.

GRADE: A

Overall

The Cowboys dominated Colts in a Sunday night statement win.

In three out of five games, the Cowboys have score 40 plus points. All three games with Dak at quarterback. People still question how good he is.

A defense known for sacks added 5 takeaways for a season total of 21. Losing Anthony Brown for the year is an enormous blow. People are going to miss what he does. Unless Kelvin Joseph can make a play or two.

It was a Sunday Night Rout in Dallas.

Up next, the Houston Texans.