3 Studs (and 2 Duds) From Cowboys' Blowout Win Over Patriots

All eyes were on the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4 to see how they'd respond after being upset by the Arizona Cardinals. Well, they certainly sent a message with their 38-3 dismantling of the New England Patriots on Sunday.

A few players, in particular, stood out during the Cowboys' playoff win, while a couple disappointed. With that in mind, here are the studs and duds on Dallas' side in Week 4.

Cowboys Studs and Duds Week 4 vs. Patriots

Stud 1: Dak Prescott

The Cowboys didn't need to ask much from Dak Prescott in Week 4 with the defense generating points, but he was on it whenever he did touch the field.

Prescott had no troubles finding holes in the Patriots' banged-up secondary all afternoon long. Aside from a couple questionable throws late, the stud QB put the ball exactly where it needed to be, and with plenty of zip.

He ended the win a very efficient 28-of-34 performance, 261 yards and a passer rating of 108.5. His one major highlight of Week 4 was his touchdown pass to CeeDee Lamb, which was an absolute dime in the back of the end zone.

There simply wasn't anything else Dallas could have asked from the two-time Pro Bowler. He bounced back as everyone hoped he would after a disappointing Week 3.

Stud 2: DaRon Bland

Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland is getting all the praise he deserves after his Week 4 effort.

Bland made Patriots QB Mac Jones pay not once, but twice for costly mistakes on Sunday, which helped Dallas ensure no comeback bids would take place.

First, the CB stepped up with New England threatening before halftime. As Jones looked to make something happen from the Cowboys' 48-yard line, he commited the quarterback cardinal sin of throwing back across the field. Bland read Jones' eyes perfectly on the play, undercutting the pass to Kendrick Bourne and taking it 54 yards for a touchdown.

Then on the first drive of the third quarter, the Pats faced a pivotal 4th-and-2 to try and get back into it. Jones once again underthrew his receiver, and Bland jumped it for his second INT of the day.

Judging by his playmaking to begin the year, it looks like Bland is making a sophomore leap. The Fresno State product already has two pick-sixes this season, as he also took advantage of Daniel Jones in the opener to make a house call.

With his three passes defended on Sunday, Bland's also up to four total on the year, putting him more than halfway past his 2022 total of seven. Assuming he keeps this up, the former fifth-round pick could take Trevon Diggs' place and challenge for an All-Pro nod at the end of this season.

Stud 3: Jake Ferguson

While Sunday wasn't a big day for most of the Cowboys' offense, Jake Ferguson certainly impressed.

Ferguson had a clear connection with Dak Prescott throughout the contest, regularly exploiting New England's weak linebacking corps to get open down the field. That led to the Wisconsin product setting new careers high in receptions (7) and yards (77) in Week 4.

After a sluggish start to the year, it's great to see Ferguson come alive over the past few weeks. He popped off for five receptions and 48 yards against the Cardinals in Week 3, more than doubling his yardage total from the first two games (22).

This now makes it 125 yards in two games for Ferguson, who could cement himself as Dallas' No. 3 passing target behind CeeDee Lamb and the emerging Michael Gallup. Brandin Cooks hasn't made any impact after coming over this offseason, and the likes of Jalen Tolbert and Kavontae Turpin are still developing.

Given the success Prescott had with Dalton Schultz, it's obvious the quarterback loves himself a reliable TE. Ferguson is definitely getting in his good graces with his recent showings.

Dud 1: Luke Schoonmaker

On the other side of the spectrum, fellow tight end Luke Schoonmaker was a complete no-show on Sunday.

The rookie tight end figured to play a bigger roll with backup Peyton Hendershot out for the contest due to a injury. Instead, Schoonmaker remained an afterthought in this offense, recording a goose egg in the box score despite seeing three targets.

Schoonmaker had an opportunity to turn heads in the second quarter. Prescott saw the TE in traffic and gave him a chance to make a play, but he unfortunately couldn't come up with it. While it was a difficult catch, it's the type of highlight-reel moment that could've helped him start to make headway in the tight end room.

Instead, Schoonmaker was clearly outshined by Ferguson's career day, putting him even further behind the former Badger standout. Even fourth-stringer Luke McKeon, who got the nod with Hendershot injured, arguably had a better day. He hustled all the way down the field to recover a fumble late in the fourth quarter, showing some serious championship-level effort.

It seems we'll have to keep waiting for Schoonmaker to show why he was a second-round pick.

Dud 2: Chuma Edoga

The Cowboys' injuries on the offensive line have thrust Chuma Edoga into a bigger role than expected. However, he hasn't really impressed, and Week 4 was no different.

While most of Dallas O-lineman held their own, Edoga struggled against the Pats' talented pass rush, getting beat by his man and allowing guys through to pressure or sack Prescott. Thankfully the quarterback was only sacked three times on the day, but New England was able to register seven QB hits, and Edoga being lackluster at left tackle was certainly part of that.

Heading into Sunday's contest, Edoga owned a disappointing 58.5 overall grade, according to ProFootballFocus. That's not good enough for someone who's a starter right now (albeit not by choice).

With two dominant pass rushing units on tap next in the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Chargers, the Cowboys need to consider an addition if they're not fully healthy yet.

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