The Dallas Cowboys’ Week 8 win over the Rams on Sunday looked a lot like their season-opening win over the Giants.
The Cowboys were scoring points on both sides of the ball and keeping the other team’s offense off the field.
Dallas’ offense ran 19 plays on their first two drives to generate a 10-3 lead. Then the defense took it from there.
Over the next four plays, the defense racked up a pick six and blocked a punt for a safety.
Suddenly, the Cowboys were up 19-3 just 80 seconds into the second quarter.
After the lead to 33-3, the Cowboys did allow the Rams to double-dip. Los Angeles got touchdowns to end the half and begin the third quarter.
But Dallas regained control with a field goal and a touchdown on its first two drives of the second half.
This is the kind of effort the Cowboys need to bring to the field every week for the rest of the season.
Especially with next week’s opponent being the Eagles in Philadelphia. Both of Dallas’ losses have been on the road.
Both losses saw the Cowboys come out flat to begin the game.
This is something that cannot happen Sunday afternoon if Dallas wants to win the NFC East and possibly have homefield in the playoffs.
Bye The Numbers
The win improved the Cowboys to 24-11 (.686) overall in games played following a bye week. Dallas is 9-3 (.750) at home in those games.
The win improved the Cowboys’ record against NFC West teams in post-bye week contests to 5-0.
It was their first win against an NFC West team this after two losses.
The victory improved Dallas’ record in Week 8 contests to 38-18 (.679). They lost one game to the 1982 strike and seven more to bye weeks.
Dallas is now 26-9 (.743) at home in Week 8 games all-time.
The Cowboys are now 20-18 (.526) all-time against the Rams and 11-9 (.550) at home.
Dallas has beaten the Rams four of the last five meetings at AT&T Stadium and five of the last six played in Texas.
At home Dallas has now outscored Los Angeles 521-391 at home and 900-780 overall.
A Unique Score
There have been thousands of games played in the history major league professional football in the United States. This includes the NFL, AFL, AAFC, and APFA.
Dallas’ win over the Rams on Sunday is the only one of them to have ever ended with a final score of 43-30.
Apparently it’s called Scorigami — who knew — and Sunday’s result is the 1,079th unique score in NFL history.
You’re welcome. I think…
Bay Day For Quarterbacks
Something Dak Prescott and Dallas Cowboys’ fans can sympathize with is losing a starting quarterback for an extended time.
Last year a thumb injury derailed Prescott for several games and impacted his entire season.
The Rams lost Matthew Stafford for at least the half on Sunday with a thumb injury.
The Giants, already missing their starter in Daniel Jones, may have lost his replacement for a while too.
Tyrod Taylor was knocked out of the loss to the Jets with a rib injury. He was immediately taken to a local hospital.
Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett was also knocked out with a rib injury. Atlanta’s Desmond Ridder suffered a concussion.
But the worst injury of all was Kirk Cousins, who is likely done for the year in Minnesota after an Achilles injury.
It was a brutal day for the position and one likely to heat up the fantasy football waiver wires this week.
Nice Fitting Levis
It wasn’t all doom and gloom for the quarterbacks though.
Playing in the old throwback uniforms of the Houston Oilers, Tennessee quarterback Will Levis had a perfect debut.
Levis threw four touchdown passes and no interceptions in a 28-23 win over Atlanta. Three of Levis’ touchdowns went to DeAndre Hopkins.
Ryan Tannehill might not get his job back in Nashville when he’s healthy.
