Several factors contributed to the Cowboys’ 44-22 triumph over the Washington Commanders on Sunday evening at AT&T Stadium.

Dallas held a 20-15 advantage late in the second quarter before scoring on their next four possessions, highlighted by DaRon Bland’s 68-yard pick-six with 5:31 left in the third quarter.

The scoring spree commenced when Dak Prescott located George Pickens 24 yards along the sideline at the Commanders’ 35-yard line. On the subsequent play, Javonte Williams surged down to the two-yard line with 10 seconds left in the second quarter, and Prescott’s two-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jake Ferguson allowed the Cowboys to take a 27-15 lead, which they would maintain.

Prescott continues to perform admirably this season, concluding the game with 264 passing yards, completing 21 of 30 attempts with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Williams rushed for 116 yards on 19 carries, contributing one score. CeeDee Lamb secured five receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown, while Pickens had four targets, achieving 82 yards. Ferguson caught seven passes for 29 yards; however, his two touchdown receptions were instrumental in helping the Cowboys (3-3-1) clinch the victory.

Following linebacker Shermar James’ strip-sack of Jayden Daniels, Jadeveon Clowney recovered the fumble at the Dallas 45-yard line, as the Cowboys scored 17 consecutive points, which included Prescott’s second connection of the day with Ferguson, who caught a five-yard touchdown pass, and Bland’s 68-yard interception return for a touchdown extended the score to 41-15.

Daniels exited the game due to a hamstring injury, making way for backup quarterback Marcus Mariota, as both players faced relentless pressure throughout the match. Clowney, Donovan Ezeiruku, James, and Kenneth Murray, Jr. collectively recorded four sacks. Dallas’ defense established a commanding presence, invigorating its offense.

Mariota ignited the Commanders when he scrambled for 25 yards to the Dallas’ 28, and added a ten-yard run to the two-yard line. Two plays later, Chris Rodriguez Jr. pushed the ball into the end zone from the one-yard line. This made the score 41-22.

The absence of receivers Noah Brown, Terry McLaurin, and Debo Samuels may have impacted Washington’s offensive performance.

Despite Daniels’ injury, he completed 12 out of 22 attempts for 156 yards, achieving one touchdown without any interceptions. The Commanders (3-4) were unable to counter Dallas’ balanced offensive approach.

Brandon Aubrey successfully kicked a field goal with 12:45 left on the clock, finalizing the score at 44-22.

Prescott’s 74-yard touchdown pass to Lamb was a key part of a 17-point surge in the first quarter.

The Cowboys will face the Broncos next week while Washington takes on the Chiefs.

The post Cowboys balanced attack stampedes Washington appeared first on 24.Storycle.

The rivalry between North and South Texas carries significant weight in terms of pride and bragging rights. Engaging with fans from both sides reveals the depth of their intensity regarding the Cowboys and the Texans.

Following the recent clash, the Texans improved its season record to 7-4 by defeating the injury-plagued Cowboys, 34-10, on Monday Night Football in Arlington.

This victory solidifies the Texans’ position at the top of the AFC South standings.

The game was decided in the first quarter, where two touchdowns quickly established a commanding lead. Although a penalty nullified a remarkable 77-yard touchdown run by Nico Collins on the game’s opening play, Joe Mixon capitalized on the opportunity by scoring back-to-back touchdowns. His 45-yard run came shortly after Collins’ impressive effort, and with 54 seconds left in the quarter, Mixon added a one-yard touchdown, extending Houston’s advantage to 14-0.

Quarterback C.J. Stroud had a productive outing, completing 23 of 34 passes for 257 yards, while Mixon’s impressive performance on the ground, totaling 109 yards on 20 carries, set the tone early in the match.

Despite facing a deficit, Cooper Rush threw for 354 yards on 32 of 55 attempts, contributing one touchdown and one interception. He connected with receiver KaVontae Turpin, who capitalized on a coverage error by the Texans’ cornerback Jeff Okudah to score a 64-yard touchdown, narrowing the gap to 17-10 and providing a glimmer of hope for Dallas (3-7).

CeeDee Lamb performed admirably, recording eight receptions for 93 yards, while Turpin added three catches for 86 yards.

However, Houston quickly extinguished any hopes of a comeback by scoring two fourth-quarter touchdowns. In this brief yet notable rivalry, the Cowboys and Texans have met only seven times, with the Texans emerging victorious in three encounters.

The Cowboys, already dealing with several injuries, suffered another setback when Markquese Bell injured his arm in the first half while attempting to tackle Dameon Pierce during a kickoff return. Bell’s left arm was forced into an awkward position, resulting in considerable pain. The Cowboys later confirmed that Bell sustained a shoulder injury, further complicating its already challenging situation.

Dallas’s frustration mounted as it lost for the fifth consecutive time.

The post Texans take Lone Star State battle appeared first on 24.Storycle.

A captivating contest is set to unfold in Texas as the Cowboys prepare to face off against the Houston Texans at AT&T Stadium on Monday Night Football. This matchup promises to be a thrilling encounter, showcasing the rivalry between the two Lone Star State teams.

In its previous encounter in 2022, the Cowboys emerged victorious with a narrow 27-23 win over the Texans. Historically, Dallas has maintained an edge in the rivalry, holding a 4-2 advantage since their first meeting in 2002.

However, the Cowboys face significant hurdles this season, currently holding a record of (3-6). To keep their postseason aspirations alive, Dallas must achieve at least seven wins. The team’s offense must perform effectively, while the run defense looks to step up to ensure a successful outcome.

On the other hand, the Texans, with a record of (6-4), aim to maintain its winning momentum and secure a playoff berth for the second consecutive year. Its defense, characterized by a talented front seven, excels at applying pressure, which could create difficulties for the Cowboys, particularly given its struggles in the running game.

Quarterback CJ Stroud will seek to involve receivers Collins and Dell early in the game. Running back Joe Mixon, one of the league’s top running backs this season, adds another dimension to the Texans’ offensive strategy.

The post Cowboys and Texans prepare for Monday night showdown appeared first on 24.Storycle.

The game started late due to inclement weather, pushing kickoff back 90 minutes, and it wrapped up just before midnight. Despite the challenging conditions, the Cowboys’ performance was more affected by its mistakes and penalties than by the weather.

Trailing 17-13, with under a minute to go, Dak Prescott struggled, throwing two picks and losing a fumble, all while the Cowboys executed a comeback.

In a surprising turn of events, Prescott managed to shake off his earlier blunders and found Tolbert for a four-yard touchdown on a crucial fourth down with just 20 seconds remaining. This last-minute play secured a thrilling 20-17 victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium.

Even though the offense faced its share of struggles, being stopped inside the Steeler’s 20-yard line three times, Prescott kept his cool, finishing the game with 352 passing yards and two touchdowns despite the two costly turnovers that could have created a significant deficit to cover.

Dallas pieced together a solid drive, covering 70 yards in 15 plays, which proved to be the winning formula to boost its all-time record against the Steelers, 19-16.

Prescott had time in the pocket to connect with Tolbert, crossing from right to left while being pursued by Steelers’ safety DeShon Elliot. Tolbert secured the ball as Elliot wrestled him down in the end zone. That ignited the Cowboys’ celebration.

The Steelers, now 3-2, spent most of the game playing catch-up until it took the lead with just under five minutes left following Joey Porter, Jr.’s interception. (start here)

Justin Fields completed 15-of-27 passes for 131 yards, including a 63-yard drive, which ended with a six-yard shovel pass to tight end Pat Freiermuth. That pushed Pittsburgh ahead 17-13.

Undeterred without DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons, Dallas limited the Steelers to 226 total yards and only three first-half points.

The post Prescott shook off a rough evening with a four-yard touchdown pass to Tolbert with 20 seconds left appeared first on 24.Storycle.

A tough day at the office watched the Cowboys (1-1) fall, 44-19, at the hands of the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at AT&T Stadium.

It’s the day all teams dred, an unstoppable mudslide. The defense appeared ready, as did the offense lined up. But the water rushed downhill at a furious pace.

The Cowboys’ defense was reeling from the relentless onslaught of the New Orleans offense, which scored on its first six possessions. Defensive coordinator coach Zimmer could only watch in frustration as the defense struggled to find an answer.

The loss snapped a 16-game home winning streak.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara scored four touchdowns, three rushing for a total of 115 yards, and had two receptions for 65 yards and a score.

Derek Carr also caught the home crowd’s attention, carving up the Cowboy’s secondary on 11-of-16 attempts for 243 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Carr received a helping hand from receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, who combined for 177 yards.

Despite how well Dallas’ defense played in the opening week, the Saints (2-0) responded with big play after big play. Even while the Cowboys were playing catch-up, nothing presented itself to build on. A mistake, a turnover, or a penalty all kept Dallas battling from behind.

In a disastrous setting, Dak Prescott passed for 293 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. CeeDee Lamb finished with 90 yards receiving as Jalen Tolbert tagged 82 yards.

The post Cowboys come up short appeared first on 24.Storycle.

Fifth-year coach Mike McCarthy and key players like Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott are gearing up for the Cowboys’ 65th season in the National Football League. What can we expect? Well, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones feels good about the team’s prospects under McCarthy’s leadership. With a string of regular-season successes, Jones believes Dallas is on the cusp of achieving its ultimate goals.

The Cowboys are not only gearing up for the season, they are preparing with palpable excitement. The team is set to open its season in Cleveland against the Browns on September 8th, and the anticipation of a battle with mega-star defensive end Myles Garrett is adding to the thrill of the upcoming game. This sense of anticipation and hope is sure to resonate with the fans and stakeholders.

On a keynote, the instate rivalry will carry bragging rights when the Texans visit AT&T Stadium on Monday night football on November 18th. To view the full schedule online, visit dallascowboys.com.

Anticipate changes on the defense. Dorance Armstrong, Stephon Gilmore, Jonathan Hankins, and Jayron Kearse are gone. Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has moved on to accept the head coach position with the Washington Commanders, leaving a void in the Cowboys’ defense. However, talent is still on deck, and Mike Zimmer is back and ready to take the challenge. He last coached the Cowboys from 2000 through 2006. The no-nonsense coach expects coaches and payers to live up to what they say. Most players know Zimmer’s firey personality equals passion and hard work.

With four of the eight draft picks focusing on the trenches, team balance is crucial to the Cowboys fold.

In spring training, fans can view defensive tackle Denzel Daxon, a 6’2″, 304-pound rookie free agent, who will add support.

Jones has been vocal about the team’s strategic focus. He has emphasized that the run game is a priority for improvement. Despite the departure of Tony Pollard, who signed a three-year deal worth $24 million with the Titans, Jones is confident in Ezekiel Elliott’s potential, particularly after his promising performance late last season. This strategic focus on the run game is a clear indication of the team’s direction and commitment to improvement, reassuring fans about the team’s future.

Still, some wonder why the Cowboys have yet to draft more runningbacks.

.

The post Cowboys’ gear up for 65th season in the NFL appeared first on 24.Storycle.

Expectations hang in the balance as the Cowboy season unfolds. It’s mid-season, but three early-season losses bring new tactics.

The Cowboys entered the season as one of the Super Bowl favors. Still, it must improve on mental mistakes, penalties and limit settling for three points in the red zone.

During its recent battle against the Philadelphia Eagles, facing fourth and goal, Prescott’s pass to Luke Schoonmaker appeared to be a touchdown, but after review, it was overturned. The replay showed Schoonmaker’s left knee outside the end zone. The score would have left the Cowboys eying a four or five-point disadvantage depending on the outcome of the bonus kick, 28-24.

That third loss came at the hands of another Superbowl hopeful, the Philadelphia Eagle, 28-23 on Sunday evening at Lincoln.

Prescott heaved a desperation pass to CeeDee Lamb at the three-yard line with no time left, but several Eagle defenders quickly wrestled Lamb, who bagged 11 receptions for 192 yards, to the ground as the home crowd erupted.

“It’s a game of inches; that’s why you got to love this game,” Prescott mentioned. It’s tough to win. A lot of good things came out of this game despite the loss. We will use the fight and a lot of the success as we keep going.”

The Eagles (8-1) opened the third quarter trailing 17-14, but Hurts back-to-back touchdown passes to Devonta Smith and Olamide Zaccheaus gave it an 11-point advantage, 28-17, contributing to Dallas’ uphill climb.

Despite facing pressure in the pocket from Fletcher Cox, Nakobe Dean, and Haason Reddick, Prescott completed 29-0f-44 passes for 374 yards and three touchdowns but could not come up with that clutch play to put the Cowboys over the hump.

On a day when things needed to work on all cylinders, Gallop dropped a pass inside the 30-yard line late in the second quarter. Instead of a possible touchdown, Dallas (5-3) settled for a 51-yard field goal with 1:20 left in the half to break the tied score, 17-14.

Hurts, who accounted for three of Philadelphia’s four scores, threw for 207 yards on 17-of-23 attempts and two touchdowns, executed the Eagles offensive scene, compounding Dallas’ task. In the first half, A. J. Brown, Dallas Goedert, and Zacchheaus all came up with big catches to help the Eagle keep pace with the Cowboys.

“It’s always about finding a way to win,” Hurts said. All that matters is winning. That’s something I have been saying all year.”

Brown, who finished with seven grabs for 66 yards, is the first Eagle to surpass 1,000 yards receiving in just nine games.

Kenneth Gainwell scored Philadelphia’s first touchdown with 5:45 to go in the first quarter as he bounced to the outside, and 12 yards later, he dived into the end zone.

The Cowboys responded as Prescott threw a four-yard scoring pass to Jake Ferguson, who caught seven balls for 91 yards.

The Cowboys will host the Giants next Sunday at 3:25 pm. The Eagles will have a bye week and travel the following Monday to meet the Chiefs.

The post Cowboys look on the bright side appeared first on 24.Storycle.

For the second straight weekend, the Cowboys faced a team from the tri-state. Last week’s win was not a surprise, but how the game unfolded, 40-0, shocked many who questioned the Giants’ home field production. 

This week’s win was just as impressive as last week. Dallas continued to apply defensive pressure, nearly matching last week’s performance.

Micah Parson led the defense that forced four turnovers, and kicker Brandon Aubrey got in on the act, nailing five field goals to send the Cowboys to its second win of the season with a 30-10 decision over the New York Jets on Sunday evening at AT&T Stadium. 

The expected defensive clash watched Parson and Dallas take advantage of four turnovers, including two sacks, a fumble recovery, and two tackles for loss. Trevon Diggs, Malik Hooker, and Jayron Kearse intercepted Jets’ quarterback Zach Wilson, who faced continuous pressure.

Aubrey patiently served Cowboy fans by drilling five field goals in his second game of his rookie season. The field goals covered 35, 21, 55, and 26. 

Dak Prescott had his share in the offense, finishing with 255 yards on 31-of-38 attempts and two touchdowns. CeeDee Lamb had a hand in 143 yards steaming from 11 targets. 

Prescott and the Cowboys used 5:41 of the first quarter to post its first score, which covered 75 yards on 12 plays. Aubrey’s kick gave it a 7-0 lead. 

Although the Jets’ defense surrendered five field goals, its offense suffered, finding room to move the ball against the Cowboys’ defense. 

Wilson’s evening concluded on 12-of-27 attempts for 170 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. 

The Jets trailed 10-0 before Wilson completed a pass to Garrett Wilson, who turned it into a 68-yard touchdown. That trimmed the deficit 10-7 following Austin Siebert’s extra point kick.

Jets will host the (0-2) Patriots next Sunday while Dallas travels to Arizona to face (0-2) Cardinals on Sunday. 

The post Cowboys defense force four turnovers and Aubrey kicks five field goals appeared first on 24.Storycle.

Now that the NFL training camp is underway, the celebration of a new season is on the horizon. That applies to tight end Jake Ferguson, who stepped in after tight end Dalton Schultz signed with Houston. Joining Ferguson at the position, Peyton Hendershot and rookie Luke Schoonmaker, a second-round draft pick.

The Cowboys expect production concerning the talent surrounding the tight end position.

Other areas took on a positive meaning, such as the speedy KaVontae Turpin, who looked great as a receiver. The 2022 Pro Bowl returner made it look easy, creating space between defenders as he ran routes and made plays. He also received great news, which required a quick turnaround. Turpin had to take an emergency flight to Texas to see the birth of his daughter.

Turpin averaged 24.2 yards per kickoff. He fielded 29 punts totaling 303 yards, leaving the speedster with a 10.4 average.

Head Coach Mike McCarthy is sharing in the wave of excitement as he regains the play-calling duties, which serves him well. The grin glows on McCarthy’s face when he tinkers with an offense displaying weapons like Dak Prescott and the talented receiving corps. It’s been at least ten years since McCarthy called plays.

For the second week straight, guard Zack Martin continues to hold out. Martin wants his contract restructured. If approved, he will become one of the top-paid guards in the NFL. The new collective bargaining training agreement will impose a fine of $50,000 per day each day Martin misses training camp. Jerry Jones admits he wants Martin’s involvement but has yet to find a solution for the lack of funds while chief responsibilities are at stake.

Despite going undrafted in 2022 and spending the season on the Cowboys’ practice squad, safety Juanyeh Thomas, who played four seasons at Georgia Tech, is taking advantage of a limited void left by starting safety Donovan Wilson, who has a calf strain while backup Israel Mukuamu suffers a hamstring strain.

Different obstacles show things can change anytime.

The post Cowboys training camp notes appeared first on 24.Storycle.

Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Seven years since 1995, it’s been the same song with an identical meaning. The predictions and the early season NFL top-five seedings all have been part of the hype, yet disappointing—still, the Cowboys labor towards the mark.

1995 was the last time the Cowboys won the highest honor, defeating the Steelers 26-17 in Super Bowl XXX. Dallas won back-to-back Super Bowls in ‘93 and ‘94, XXVII (52-17) and XXVIII (30-13) against the Bills.

The club looks to clear its thoughts of the previous two seasons, which ended similarly. In 2021, Dallas lost to the 49ers, 19-12, in the NFC Divisional Playoff. San Francisco scored on back-to-back drives while Dak Prescott threw two costly interceptions.

The Cowboys failed to advance in its last seven trips to the Division round of the playoffs. Including (1996) Panthers 26, Cowboys 17, (2007) Giants 21, Cowboys 17, (2009) Minnesota 34-3, (2014) Packers 26, Cowboys 21, (2016) Packers 34 Cowboys 31, (2018) Rams 30, Cowboys 22,

Part of the focus will start up front. The offensive line will look to hold its blocks for two to three seconds as it protects Prescott, who will aim to get rid of the ball sooner while surveying the surrounding area. 

With a watchful eye, fourth-year coach Mike McCarthy hopes to improve on a pair of 12-5 seasons. Limiting mistakes, not allowing opposing offenses to execute lengthy drives while its defense handles the task. 

McCarthy added seven new coaches last February, hoping to steer the Cowboys back to where it landed in 1995. Mike Solari will coach the offensive line, which will work on giving Prescott time in the pocket. Jeff Blasko steps up to the running game coordinator and running back coach, while Scott Tolzien is the quarterback coach.

Ten-year veteran receiver Brandon Cooks will help relieve pressure with his speed. Cooks have played for a few teams, including the Patriots, Saints, and the Texans. Now teaming up with Dallas eases one part of the missing puzzle, hoping to keep its dream alive for an NFC Championship and a super bowl berth. With CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup in the mix, Cooks can stretch the field, forcing secondary’s to eliminate double coverage.

Hopes are high in Arlington as Dallas expects to be a super bowl contender. The most popular team in the NFL is not alone. According to the oddsmakers in Las Vegas, the Cowboys have the fifth-best odds of appearing in the big game. 

Dallas will have more at stake than its reputation when the season starts. Player expectations and avoiding the injury bug, to mention a couple. Still, it’s early, but the Cowboys are looking to stay up late.

Rookies and veterans will report to the Cowboys training camp on July 25th at River Ridge Playing Fields in Oxnard, California.

The post Cowboys prepare to make adjustments, aim for higher accolades appeared first on 24.Storycle.