The Dallas Cowboys trounced the Cleveland Browns 35-10 on the road in Week 9. Here’s the highlights, recap and key players.
Ezekiel Elliott rushed for two touchdowns, while Dak Prescott passed for three scores. Jason Witten, Cole Beasley and Gavin Escobar all made scoring grabs as the Cowboys steamrolled a feeble Cleveland defense.
It wasn’t all about offense, though, as the Dallas defense swarmed in for four sacks. Rookie nose tackle Maliek Collins accounted for two of those quarterback takedowns.
All the Browns and rookie quarterback Cody Kessler could muster in response was 10 points. They came from a 31-yard Cody Parkey field goal in the opening quarter and a Kessler to Terrelle Pryor touchdown pass.
But the Browns couldn’t recover from allowing the Cowboys to amass over 400 yards of offense.
The Cowboys have now moved to 7-1 and have seized control of the NFC East and the conference overall. By contrast, the 0-9 Browns already look like a lock for the top pick in the 2017 NFL draft.
Here are the stars from the game:
Three Stars
1. Dak Prescott
Surely there isn’t anymore debate about Tony Romo getting his job back, is there? How can he when Prescott has been a model of efficiency for an offense ruthlessly adhering to its strengths?
Those strengths are running the ball between the tackles behind an All-Pro interior offensive line. The Cowboys also rely on a high-percentage passing game, one Prescott is executing flawlessly.
He missed on just six passes at Cleveland’s FirstEnergy Stadium and didn’t throw an interception. Prescott’s hat-trick of touchdown throws gave him a new franchise record, according to the NFL‘s official Twitter account:
2. Jason Witten
Father Time hasn’t eroded 34-year-old Witten’s ability to get open and make clutch catches. No. 82 made eight grabs for 134 yards against the Browns, including a 26-yard touchdown.
Witten still has enough tread on the left on the tyres to stretch the seams vertically. He proved it by also hauling in a 35-yard reception.
This was vintage stuff from one of the game’s best ever at his position.
3. Maliek Collins
The Cowboys’ defense is sneaky good this season, and players like Collins are a big reason why. He’s proving a natural for the type of line scheme defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli runs.
Collins is quick and attack-minded, ideal qualities for a system based on one-gap techniques. Its a mantra that demands linemen get downhill and read on the run.
The ex-Nebraska stalwart’s performances are giving Dallas a deep and strong rotation along the interior.
A big-play defense combined with a low-risk offense is a great way to travel in the NFL.
Next: Cowboys at Browns Week 9: Game preview, odds, prediction
The way the Cowboys bail into zones lends itself well to a running back who can turn short passes into positive gains. Even when Dallas defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli goes man coverage underneath, Johnson will give Kessler a matchup advantage against linebackers.
Next Week
The Browns will begin Week 10 on the road against AFC North foe the Baltimore Ravens. As for the Cowboys, a tricky trip to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers awaits them next Sunday.