Coach Brian Schottenheimer and quarterback Dak Prescott are facing a lot of pressure as the coach and quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys. It doesn’t matter what is going on around the team, the expectations are higher in Dallas than they are everywhere else.
Entering Sunday, the Cowboys were down four of their five starting offensive lineman and their No. 1 and No. 3 wide receivers. For any team facing that type of adversity, it usually means it is about to be a long Sunday for that team. However, the chemistry and leadership from the Cowboys coach and quarterback helped fuel the team to a 37-22 victory against the New York Jets.
Prescott continued to look like a legitimate MVP candidate, as he finished the game 18-of-29 for 237 yards and four touchdowns. Running back Javonte Williams continues to be a godsend for the Cowboys, as he finished with 135 yards and one touchdown.
The play-calling of Schottenheimer has been great all year, but was especially terrific on Sunday. With four offensive lineman out, the Cowboys don’t have the guys who can block for long periods of time. This made it extremely difficult to attack down field consistently, so the Cowboys relied heavily on the run and short-passing game.
The most important job of a coach is to put the team and players in the best possible situation to be successful, and he did that masterfully on Sunday. Schottenheimer didn’t completely abandon the deep pass, as Prescott connected with George Pickens on a 43-yard touchdown pass.
Now, the New York Jets aren’t a Super Bowl contender, but this was an impressive performance when you consider all the odds. Add the fact the defense played its best game of the season, and there is a lot to be optimistic about in Dallas.
Tyler Booker and CeeDee Lamb are two of the guys who are out, but the Cowboys didn’t put them on the injured reserve. That means they could be getting close to play, with the division matchup against the Washington Commanders in two weeks being a possible opportunity.
Up next is another game against a below average team, as the Cowboys travel to take on the Carolina Panthers in Week 6. If Schottenheimer and Prescott continue to be on the same page like they were on Sunday, this team could quickly become a true contender in the NFC once they get healthy.
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