Losing Biadasz wasn’t what you’d call a positive development for the Cowboys, even after he’d struggled in this game more than most in recent memory. Cowboys forced to make personnel changes on the fly.But as the margin of error shrinks the closer we get to the postseason, the more that turnover number looms large. Plus, at least two of his three turnovers against the Titans arguably were the blame of others. Prescott has thrown for 1,600 yards over that stretch, completing more than 70% of his passes, so we can’t say that he hasn’t been potent at times. In his past six games, Prescott has 10 interceptions (and at least one pick in each of them) as well as four fumbles (losing one). But even with the compounding factors, Prescott’s recent ball-security issues are something to keep an eye on. Of course, the Titans rested several key players, including Derrick Henry, with nothing at stake in this game. Dak Prescott’s turnovers becoming an issue? All in all, this was a tough game to put a lot of stock in, as the Cowboys were on the road on short rest, were sitting leading rusher Tony Pollard and lost center Tyler Biadasz to an ankle injury midway through the game.But it just feels like Dobbs will get the ball next Sunday after his 232-yard performance. The Titans certainly could turn back to Willis (or use both QBs) in the end-all, be-all Week 18 game at Jacksonville, with a home playoff game at stake. Two turnovers can’t go overlooked, but this was the best the passing game had looked since a healthy Tannehill was playing. But Dobbs also threw a few really nice balls - including a drop by Robert Woods, a 39-yard dime to Racey McMath and Dobbs’ first career TD pass to Woods. Dobbs’ pocket awareness and ball security were a little scary early, taking a few sacks he didn’t need to and nearly throwing a pick-six to Dallas’ Trevon Diggs. Yet he still looked better than Willis, who has been with the team since April, had in his three starts. Prior to Thursday night, Dobbs’ regular-season NFL experience was relegated to mop-up appearances for the Steelers in 20, nearly running for as many yards (31) as he’d thrown for (45) in 10 career outings. Dobbs’ last start also came at Nissan Stadium - in the Music City Bowl, in Dobbs’ final college football game at Tennessee. This is a team that was already staring reality squarely in the eyes with Ryan Tannehill landing on injured reserve and Willis struggling. 21, the Titans signed Dobbs off of the Detroit Lions’ practice squad. Two different sources on Thursday night confirmed to me that Dobbs is a better quarterback right now than rookie Malik Willis: my left eye and my right. We could see Joshua Dobbs starting in Week 18 with the AFC South on the line.Hilton took over and the Cowboys defense stepped up when it had to. Once the second half got underway, Schultz (two touchdowns), CeeDee Lamb and T.Y. Even with the Titans insisting on making self-inflicted errors, including 10 penalties (a few of them killers), the Cowboys tried their darnedest to match them mistake for mistake. Tennessee added a pair of field goals and went into halftime with a shot to pull off a stunner, quarterbacked by a journeyman making his first NFL start. The Cowboys’ final three possessions of the first half were a fumble on a bad center exchange, an interception (off Peyton Hendershot’s hands) and another pick (either a bad read by Dak Prescott or a sloppy route by Dalton Schultz, hard to tell). Dallas took a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter then strangely let the Titans back in it. The Cowboys had more to play for in this game than the Titans, weird as that was, but it didn’t necessarily look like it early on. Cowboys overcome sluggish start to outlast shorthanded Titans.READ: Lamb collects third straight 100-yd game in Dallas win.READ: Titans' Vrabel not ready to declare Week 18 starting QB.READ: Cowboys maintain hopes for NFC East title after win.READ: Dak Prescott unworried about INTs, 'style points' after victory.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |