Cowboys Corner: Dak Prescott turnover-prone? Defensive X-factors? Zeke done?-ZoomTech News

It seems prefer it’s going to be a type of seasons for the Dallas Cowboys. One second, it’s a complete catastrophe. The subsequent, every little thing’s great once more. That’s the best way it felt Sunday evening all through their dramatic, nail-biting, 20-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

When the mud settled, the Cowboys have been 3-2, one sport again within the NFC East race, however with numerous frayed nerves left of their wake. They’re clearly a great staff able to beating good groups, thanks largely to their excellent quarterback. However they’re a flawed staff, with too many points and accidents which might be instantly starting to mount.

So, strap in as a result of this season is starting to appear like a roller-coaster trip. And for the time being, it’s onerous to inform in the event that they’re on the gradual climb up, or arrange for a stomach-churning drop.

Fox Sports activities NFL writers David Helman and Ralph Vacchiano attempt to determine that out on this week’s Cowboys Nook.

1. Dak Prescott threw for 352 yards and led a game-winning TD drive within the fourth quarter towards the Steelers on Sunday evening, however he additionally threw two interceptions. He now has 4 in 5 video games, making this marketing campaign look much more like 2022 (when he had an NFL-high 15 picks) than final 12 months (when he had solely 9). How nervous are you that his turnover issues are again?

Vacchiano: I’m just a little nervous, to be sincere, however not likely due to Dak Prescott. I’ve made it fairly clear that I feel he’s an elite quarterback — the most effective within the league. However proper now, he’s actually it for the Dallas Cowboys. He’s obtained one good receiver, no dependable operating sport, and a protection that’s lacking two of its finest gamers. Prescott can do so much, however he’s going to be in positions the place he is aware of that if he doesn’t make one thing occur, it’s in all probability not going to occur. And when he begins forcing throws, that’s when he’s going to get into hassle.

And I feel that’s what’s going to occur. He’s going to have to start out forcing issues to CeeDee Lamb late in video games to maintain the Cowboys in it. More often than not it’s in all probability going to work. However generally it received’t. And that’s when the interceptions will begin creeping up. He is aware of, given the shortage of choices on the Cowboys’ roster, he has to get the ball to Lamb in crunch time. The issue is that defenses comprehend it, too.

Helman: I have to see much more earlier than I’m nervous about Dak. A few of Sunday evening’s decision-making was brutal, and it nearly price the Cowboys. However he’s largely been stable, with each of his different interceptions coming in the identical sport — the 44-19 loss to New Orleans that required him to throw his staff again into the sport on a day that his protection surrendered touchdowns on six straight possessions. With all of that context to contemplate, I really feel superb about the best way he’s taking part in and belief him to wash up a number of the errors he made in Pittsburgh.

2. Working again Rico Dowdle and huge receiver Jalen Tolbert got here considerably out of nowhere to assist the Cowboys topple Pittsburgh. Do you suppose these have been extra probably one-off performances or can both of them be counted on for the remainder of the season?

Helman: That simply may decide the course of the Cowboys’ season. Staff brass’ inactivity throughout free company made it apparent that they have been going to ask numerous younger gamers in 2024. Rico has been a stable position participant, however he’s already 60% of the best way to his complete carry complete from final season. Dallas has been ready for Tolbert to interrupt out since he was drafted again in 2022. I’m not going to overreact to 1 sport, however I’ll say this: We’re going to search out out shortly if they are often counted on as a result of there are not any different choices. For higher or worse, that is who the Cowboys have. It’s time to sink or swim.

Vacchiano: I feel the breakout of Tolbert has an opportunity to be a extremely good factor for the Cowboys transferring ahead. As everybody is aware of, they’ve been missing a second receiver since they traded away Amari Cooper. Brandin Cooks, who’s now harm, was superb in that position final 12 months and he’s obtained some big-game potential. However he’s not probably the most dependable or constant receiver. Tolbert, in the meantime, was a well-regarded small college participant when the Cowboys took him within the third spherical two years in the past. He’s quick and gifted and possibly now that he’s getting a possibility he’s able to contribute.

Proper now, that’s extra hope than anything. But in addition, I’ve completely no religion in Dowdle or the Cowboys’ operating sport. I actually don’t suppose Mike McCarthy does both.

3. The Cowboys’ protection survived one sport with out Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, however it will not be practically as simple Sunday towards the Detroit Lions. What participant must step up probably the most of their absence?

Vacchiano: These are two large losses, and it might actually be an issue towards a staff that may actually pound the rock. They’re going to want huge performances from two guys, particularly: DT Mazi Smith and LB Eric Kendricks. Smith has been a little bit of a disappointment in the midst of the Cowboys line since they took him within the first spherical final 12 months. He’s displaying some marginal indicators of taking part in higher, however he actually must be a dominant participant — if that’s even attainable.

As for Kendricks, he was the Cowboys’ “huge” free-agent signing this offseason and has barely had an influence after an enormous Week 1 (two sacks, one interception). He hasn’t been dangerous, however he’s attempting to make up for the lack of Parsons. He must change into an influence participant once more, now.

Helman: Complicating the matter is that rookie defensive finish Marshawn Kneeland was injured in Pittsburgh, so this defensive entrance is really depleted. The Lions get numerous love for his or her explosive passing sport, however the true risk right here is that they’ve a nasty run sport, powered by an offensive line that desires to grind you into mud. Regulate space-eating defensive linemen Mazi Smith, Chauncey Golston and Linval Joseph, in addition to linebackers Eric Kendricks, DeMarvion Overshown and Marist Liufau. None of these guys can afford to have a foul day, or the Cowboys are going to surrender 200-plus dashing yards once more.

4. Ezekiel Elliott has solely touched the ball 36 instances in 5 video games. Are you shocked they’re not utilizing him extra, particularly since Jerry Jones bragged earlier than the season that Zeke was nonetheless adequate to be a starter?

Helman: If something, I’m pleased with the Cowboys’ teaching employees for ignoring Jerry Jones and residing in actuality. Ezekiel Elliott continues to be a helpful NFL operating again, however at this stage of his profession, his finest attributes are his move safety and short-yardage capacity. He simply doesn’t have the juice to be a lead again, as evidenced by his zero explosive runs up to now within the season or his explosive run charge of simply 4.3% in 2023 — eight carries of 10-plus yards on 183 makes an attempt. He can nonetheless assist this staff, however I feel it’s finest that his position is proscribed.

Vacchiano: First, full disclosure: I drafted Elliott in fantasy soccer (in a really, very late spherical) largely as a result of I figured if Jones was speaking him up that a lot, Mike McCarthy was going to must play him. Kudos to McCarthy for ignoring his boss and having his personal plan.

So, sure, I’m shocked. I assumed this was a Jones particular and what’s left of Elliott was going to be force-fed into the lineup. However actually, what McCarthy is doing is the correct name. Zeke seems finished. Not fully finished. He may very well be very helpful in brief yardage. His move blocking nonetheless appears good. He can get the job finished on a collection or two every sport. However he’s not a function again anymore. And although it’s sort of onerous to think about the Cowboys’ dashing sport being any worse, it in all probability can be if Elliott have been leaned on extra.

5. How severely are you taking the Washington Commanders’ 4-1 begin? Do you continue to count on the NFC East to in the end come down once more to Dallas and Philadelphia?

Vacchiano: The Commanders appear like they’re for actual. Solely the Vikings and Saints have an even bigger level differential than Washington’s plus-40 by way of 5 video games. And its success isn’t solely about super-rookie QB Jayden Daniels. Its protection and the remainder of the operating sport has been glorious, too.

I do nonetheless suppose that the Eagles and Cowboys are the category of the division and one in every of them will in all probability win it. I fear a bit that the Commanders’ 4 wins have come towards groups which might be a mixed 6-14 (the Giants, Cardinals, Browns and Bengals). We’ll know much more about them after they play at Baltimore on Sunday. Their schedule additionally will get a lot harder within the second half. And in some unspecified time in the future, Daniels is prone to have a rookie droop.

However at this level, in the event that they play .500 ball the remainder of the best way, they’re a 10-win staff. So, they’re in it. They usually’ve confirmed to be harmful. Overlook them at your individual danger.

Helman: The Commanders aren’t an ideal staff, however they’re well-built to make life robust on the Cowboys. They’ve a hellacious run sport and a quarterback who will get the ball out shortly. Seems like a nightmare for this Dallas protection, based mostly on what we’ve seen thus far. I’ll readily admit I noticed this as a two-team race earlier than the season began, however the Cowboys and Eagles aren’t as far out in entrance as I assumed. 

David Helman covers the NFL for FOX Sports activities and hosts the NFL on FOX podcast. He beforehand spent 9 seasons overlaying the Cowboys for the staff’s official web site. In 2018, he received a regional Emmy for his position in producing “Dak Prescott: A Household Reunion” in regards to the quarterback’s time at Mississippi State. Comply with him on Twitter at @davidhelman_.

Ralph Vacchiano is an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports activities. He spent the earlier six years overlaying the Giants and Jets for SNY TV in New York, and earlier than that, 16 years overlaying the Giants and the NFL for the New York Day by day Information. Comply with him Twitter at @RalphVacchiano.

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