Studs and Duds: Cowboys must extract more from Brandin Cooks or change offensive ingredients
An ugly win is better than a loss any day, but this particular Thursday night game was even more hideous than most games on short weeks. The Dallas Cowboys survived a division road trip, a 20-15 win over New York, by having a bend-but-don’t-break defense that held the Giants out of the end zone all five times they got into Cowboys territory. That included two trips into the redzone. Many will downplay this win, but after playing a physical Baltimore Ravens team, then traveling, surviving to get to 2-2 is a positive outcome.
Dallas still has too many issues with players not playing well and multiple injury concerns. They aren’t tackling well, there are too many penalties, and they rely too much on great play from their quarterback, Dak Prescott. However, the team did have some new contributors step up and play like Studs, and their top weapon bounced back from a poor performance against the Baltimore Ravens.
Studs: QB Dak Prescott
Sep 26, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) while playing New York Giants in the 1st half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
The Cowboys did not play winning football against the Giants. They had 11 penalties, allowed over 35 minutes of time of possession, rushed for only 3.5 yards per attempt, and converted on third down only three times in 10 tries. The reason they won this game is because Prescott played an unbelievable game. Prescott completed 22 of his 27 attempts for 221 yards, two touchdown passes, and had no turnovers. Prescott had an incredible 21.2 completion over expected (CPOE) percentage, with only one threat at receiver, no rushing game, and an average offensive line.
Dallas has to find a way to not lean on stud performances from their QB. The scheme isn’t doing enough to get people open. The defense doesn’t get nearly enough stops so field position is almost always an issue, and penalties are crippling drives. Asking Prescott to routinely overcome those obstacles against better opponents isn’t viable.
Duds: WR Brandin Cooks
Sep 26, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks (3) runs with the ball against New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
One of the reasons there was hope for improvement for the 2024 Cowboys offense was that Brandin Cooks was coming into his second year with the offense. He only has eight receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown in four games. CeeDee Lamb had a more productive night against the Giants than Cooks has had all season combined.
He only had a single reception on four targets versus New York. He isn’t getting separation and isn’t an impactful player in the offense. Jalen Tolbert has outperformed Cooks with 10 receptions for 136 yards and a touchdown. Cooks had success last year running crossers and was often open on deep routes, but the hitches and curls this season haven’t been working for him.
Studs: WR CeeDee Lamb
Sep 26, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) celebrates after a a touchdown against the Giants in the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
Lamb had another poor second half, mainly because the Giants controlled the ball, but his first half was so elite that he was a stud on that alone. He was left in single coverage on one play all night, and Prescott hit him for a 55-yard touchdown. He caught seven of his eight targets for 98 yards and that long TD reception. He has 107 yards after the catch over expected, the most in the NFL. Lamb is also the best running back on the team, he has three runs more than 10 yards, more than all of the running backs combined.
Lamb needed to bounce back. He was a dud in the game against the Ravens for his play on the field, his attitude, and his effort. He came back with a vengeance.
Duds: Passing defense
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 26: Trevon Diggs #7 of the Dallas Cowboys walks off the field after an injury during the fourth quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on September 26, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Dallas, at one point, was down to their sixth and seventh cornerbacks, so they have a built-in excuse for their poor play. DaRon Bland and Caelen Carson were both out with injuries. Andrew Booth Jr. was benched after a bad start, and Trevon Diggs had to leave for a short time with cramps due to dehydration. Add poor play from Malik Hooker and especially Donovan Wilson, and even Daniel Jones can have a good game throwing the ball.
Jones completed 29 of his 40 attempts for 281 yards, and his only turnover was on a Hail Mary to end the game. He completed 12 passes to convert a first down and hit two different receivers with double-digit receptions. Malik Nabers brought in 12 receptions for 115 yards, and Wan’Dale Robinson added 11 for 71. Jones should not be able to control the game through the air like that.
Studs: 2023 draft class
Jul 30, 2024; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (13) during training camp at the River Ridge Playing Fields in Oxnard, California. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports
The Cowboys’ 2023 draft class had nearly no impact in their rookie season, but Thursday was a possible breakout game for a few of those guys. DeMarvion Overshown was hurt all 2023 but looked like a potential star. He tied for the lead with six solo tackles, but the most impressive thing about his game was how he tackled the Giants two top playmakers in the open field. He tackled Nabers to stop a third-down conversion, and he saved a touchdown by getting to Robinson at the three-yard line to hold New York to a field goal.
According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Mazi Smith was the highest-graded defender. He consistently reset the line of scrimmage, kept the opposing offensive line off the Dallas linebackers, and even shed blocks to get stops. His play improved in the fourth quarter of the last game, but tonight was a coming-out party. Smith looked like a first-round impact defensive tackle against the Giants.
Hunter Luepke needs mentioning too. The 2023 undrafted free agent (UDFA) made a few key plays on both touchdown drives. He picked up a third-down conversion with a pass reception on the first touchdown drive and escaped Kayvon Thibodeaux on fourth and one to get a first down. The very next play went to Lamb for a 55 yard score.
You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or YouTube on the Across the Cowboys Podcast.
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