The Dallas Cowboys took care of business (and then some) on Sunday against the New York Jets. It was far and away the most complete game that they have played on this young season.
It goes without saying that the win was also the most sound representation of what the Brian Schottenheimer era hopes to look like for the Cowboys. Given that Dallas had to overcome some serious adversity in this game by way of missing many players on their roster, they emerge from the game stronger.
These kind of games are rare. It is uncommon to have everything go your way, which means when you are fortunate to catch nothing but green lights, you appreciate it all.
This is exactly what we are going to do with our Stock Report this week. Let’s begin.
Stock Up: Ryan Flournoy
Talk about a coming out party. Ryan Flournoy crossed 100 receiving yards in the first half of this game, and while hitting the century mark is hardly representative of any one thing, it certainly was indicative of all of the success he was having.
We saw the Cowboys first lean into Flournoy during the tie against the Green Bay Packers as that was the first game that CeeDee Lamb missed. This game saw Dallas down KaVontae Turpin as well and that called for someone to rise to the occasion. We have rightfully made a big deal about how significant it is for the Cowboys to have a proper WR2 in George Pickens because that role hasn’t been filled in so long, but that conversation obviously rings true for WR3 as well.
Flournoy represents a dynamic option in the passing game and is clearly someone who both Brian Schottenheimer and Dak Prescott trust. In many ways, the passing game ran through him on Sunday, and it is exciting to see what the group can look like with Lamb back in the fold.
Stock Up: Jake Ferguson
You can’t say Flournoy was the entire passing game when Jake Ferguson had multiple touchdowns. This is a good problem to have to be clear. Ferguson had his two touchdowns in the first half, it was a prosperous opening half, and while the second basically shut the door on the game it was the first that was so impressive.
Ferguson took what appeared to be a dump off and just kept running to daylight. He showed a lot of the skills that had people excited during his first seasons with the team. Last year was a down one for the team at large, but as it relates to Ferguson specifically, we should remember that he suffered a knee injury during the 2024 opener. He appears to be in his comfort zone.
The Cowboys public relations department noted that this was the first time that the team had a tight end with multiple touchdowns in a game since Dalton Schultz late in the 2023 season. Having that facet of the game has significantly elevated everything else which is great to see.
Stock Up: Javonte Williams
Speaking of things that are great to see which are providing elevation, Javonte Williams is seriously the real deal. Williams finished the game with multiple touchdowns as well, but his overall work in the receiving game was mild despite scoring a touchdown (not taking anything away there). His contributions on the ground game are impossible to ignore, though. The man had 135 yards, averaged over eight yards per carry, and had a scamper that went 66 yards which set up the Ferguson touchdown to close the first half.
There are all sorts of flowers to be handed out right now, but we should find a really pretty one for Williams. He has stabilized the run operation in a way that the Cowboys haven’t seen in quite some time.
Stock Up: Dante Fowler
Welcome back, Dante Fowler!
This was far and away the best game (there have only been five) that Fowler has played since returning to the Cowboys. He was a constant point of pressure in the trenches and helped ensure that Justin Fields did not have a field day running around or with enough time to get major passes off.
It has been (rightful) low-hanging fruit to talk about the pass rusher that the Cowboys traded away, but they were always going to need their entire group to contribute this year. We often disregard that Dallas also lost DeMarcus Lawrence in terms of players who they relied on here in the past.
Kudos to Dante Fowler for finally having a chance to lock in and capitalize.
Stock Up: Sam Williams
We could say a lot of the same things about Sam Williams that we did of Dante Fowler, but it feels like they carry a little bit more importance here for the future given that the team has made mention of possibly giving Williams a contract extension. He has had an up and down career in some respects for Dallas, but on Sunday he was a part of the platoon that kept finding ways to stifle Fields as mentioned.
This honor is for Williams specifically, but that the Cowboys have multiple pass rushers who we can praise is the real takeaway. If they can find consistent ways for multiple players to contribute here then everything they want to do is within reach.
Stock Up: Nate Thomas, Hakeem Adeniji, Brock Hoffman, and T.J. Bass
Nate Thomas, Hakeem Adeniji, Brock Hoffman, and T.J. Bass are the ones who deserve praise, but we absolutely have to give credit to Klayton Adams and Conor Riley, too.
The Cowboys were on an episode of Chopped on Sunday against the Jets. They were down four starting offensive linemen and were so desperate that Tyler Smith had to be suited up in case of an emergency despite (obviously) not being able to give it a full go. It didn’t matter.
Adams and Riley served up one of the most delectable meals that we have had in our days. Consider that Dak Prescott was sacked just once and that he was not exactly under pressure or duress during the game. Oh, and also consider the massive day that Williams had on the ground!
This was a phenomenal work of art and representative of so many things for us to be excited about. This was great coaching in terms of devising an offensive gameplan to thrive under tough conditions, but this was also proof that the Cowboys have a deep level of talent who they can call upon at offensive line.
Stock Up: Dak Prescott
It’s hard to say that there is a quarterback in the NFL at the moment playing the position better than Dak Prescott. What we are seeing from Dak right now is maybe the best work of his career to date, and should be noted as special. This feels like 2014 Tony Romo stuff.
While we have seen Dak play to this level in the past, what is standing out is his processing. Prescott carries the athleticism to be able to physically execute what he is able to dissect and the whole operation is working in the best kind of harmony.
If this continues anything is possible. Quarterback play matters that much.
Stock Up: Brian Schottenheimer
Early last week Trevon Diggs confirmed yet again that he did not start against the Green Bay Packers due to disciplinary reasons. Not to celebrate this, but it was a promising thing that showed Brian Schottenheimer’s culture taking root.
We saw that culture translate onto the field this week with the injuries to the offensive line and at receiver. Schotty is building a group that refuses to blink or feel sorry for themselves in any kind of circumstances. Oh, the offensive line is down to mostly backups? Doesn’t matter. We are going to pile the points on you and force a wave of the white flag before halftime snacks.
Schotty was hired in the middle of the ultimate chaos storm and has done absolutely nothing but try to work his way out of it and to the top.
Stock Up: Matt Eberflus
Many words, justifiable ones, have been spewed about Matt Eberflus’ defense so far for the Cowboys. Detractors will note that Sunday’s success came “only” against the Jets, but success should be celebrated.
We finally saw Eberflus adjust a little bit and the results certainly speak for themselves. His group was able to find their footing and essentially pitched a shutout before things reached garbage time and everyone was focused on getting out of the game healthy.
Overreacting in general should not be a thing, but we can definitely celebrate the wins that the Cowboys have and that each branch of them picks up along the way. This was a serious step forward for Eberflus. Here’s to many more following it.
Stock Down: Brandon Aubrey
Look. If we have to nitpick to find a stock down then we are doing pretty alright for ourselves. Plus, Brandon Aubrey has only ever really had room to go down from a stock perspective.
He missed an extra point and had a kickoff go out of bounds. Those are pretty uncharacteristic things for him. It feels fair to say things will be alright.
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