ARLINGTON, Texas — Dak Prescott had a fast reply when requested for his definition of complementary soccer.
“Profitable,” the Dallas Cowboys quarterback stated. “Easy. Profitable.”
The Cowboys dispatched the New York Jets 30-10 on Sunday at AT&T Stadium, seven days after tossing apart New York’s different staff, the Giants, 40-0, at a rain-soaked MetLife Stadium.
The Cowboys are 2-0 for the primary time since 2019. The final time the Cowboys gained each of their first two video games of the season by 20 or extra factors was 1968. They’re the fifth staff within the Tremendous Bowl period to attain 70 factors and permit 10 or fewer of their first two video games. Previous to the New England Patriots doing it in 2019, the final time it occurred was 1970 (Detroit Lions).
Whereas the protection has been dominant — 10 sacks, seven takeaways — the Cowboys are discovering their offensive id.
The climate was an obstacle towards the Giants, however the Cowboys didn’t flip the ball over. They did not flip the ball over towards the Jets both.
Prescott didn’t go consecutive video games with out an interception final season, when he tied for essentially the most with 15 in 12 begins. He wasn’t more than happy to reply an interception query Sunday.
“Final 12 months is final 12 months and it’s one thing I’ve left,” Prescott stated. “You understand the interceptions, all that, I suppose once you lead the league it’s going to by no means go away. However as I acknowledged final 12 months, each one in every of them has their story. However that’s not the place my thoughts is. That’s not one thing I take into consideration. Simply being candid. I actually don’t care concerning the questions on them at this level.
“I’m going on the market, simply making an attempt to finish the ball, get the ball to those guys, the playmakers that we have now, get it to them in area, allow them to go do their factor. And I’m nonetheless going to take some photographs. I’m nonetheless going to not shrink back from the boldness that I’ve and the work we’ve put in on some one-on-ones to provide these guys some alternatives. However I don’t even take into consideration that at this level.”
The Cowboys had three scoring drives of 12 performs and one every of 13 and 14 performs. They held the ball for 42 minutes, 15 seconds.
“If we are able to get a lead and let that protection begin speeding,” All-Professional proper guard Zack Martin stated, “they’re robust to cease.”
The Cowboys ran it 30 instances towards the Giants with 4 completely different runners getting a contact, not counting Prescott. They ran it 44 instances towards the Jets with 5 completely different runners getting a carry, not counting Prescott. They transformed 46.3% of their third-down possibilities towards the Giants, and 50% towards the Jets.
“It’s positively one thing to construct on,” stated tight finish Jake Ferguson, who caught a landing move Sunday. “An incredible begin to the season. A great Week 2, however there’s all the time room for enchancment.”
The one inefficient a part of the offense towards the Jets was within the pink zone, changing touchdowns on simply 2 of 6 alternatives. However a few of McCarthy’s playcalling within the second half led to Brandon Aubrey area objective makes an attempt as a result of there was no must be overly aggressive with how the Cowboys’ protection was dealing with the Jets.
Who is aware of, there could also be a recreation when the protection permits greater than 10 factors. Or it doesn’t strain the opposing quarterback on 55% of the dropbacks, which is the best charge of any staff by means of two video games since 2009, in keeping with ESPN Stats & Info. Or it doesn’t get a number of takeaways in a recreation.
Except for receiver Garrett Wilson’s 68-yard landing catch, the Cowboys allowed 3.3 yards per play. The Cowboys had 4 takeaways within the second half, together with three interceptions.
“We all know our type,” defensive finish DeMarcus Lawrence stated. “We all know our id that we play with.”
And the offense was figuring its id out too towards the Jets. Vast receiver CeeDee Lamb had 11 receptions (on 13 targets) for 143 yards. Operating again Tony Pollard had a career-high 25 carries, regardless that he gained simply 72 yards. And Prescott accomplished 31 of 38 passes for 255 yards and had two landing passes. He accomplished his first 13 passes of the sport, one of the best begin he has had in his profession.
Quickly they’ll have left guard Tyler Smith, who has missed the primary two video games with a hamstring pressure, again within the lineup. Vast receiver Brandin Cooks may very well be again as quickly as Sunday towards the Arizona Cardinals after a sprained knee stored him out towards the Jets.
“On the finish of the day on this league, it’s about getting the job executed and profitable the sport and being complementary [to] your protection,” Prescott stated. “I believe we did that. Very environment friendly in methods, however we left rather a lot on the market nonetheless. That’s the usual of this offense, the usual of this staff. We anticipate to attain touchdowns on each drive, so once you don’t try this, you continue to haven’t hit your objective, I suppose you might say.
“[There’s] rather a lot we are able to do higher, however general, very environment friendly staff win that we’re pleased with. It’s laborious to win on this league.”
