The Dallas Cowboys were able to defeat the New York Giants on Monday night, 23-16, giving them their first divisional win and their second victory with backup quarterback Cooper Rush starting under center.
Allowing an average of just 17.3 points per game to opposing offenses, it’s the Dallas defense that has been the biggest factor in the Cowboys’ back-to-back victories. This unit has allow just a single touchdown in each of their first three games this season.
And while it’s been the reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, linebacker Micah Parsons, who’s garnered the early headlines recording 4.0 sacks so far this season, it was a wily veteran who dominated the G-Men in their own house in Week Three.
Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence exploded against New York, sacking quarterback Daniel Jones a whopping three times as well as being credited with six solo tackles, three quarterback hits, and three tackles for loss. It was a stellar performance from a player who was only able to record a total of 3.0 sacks all of last season (seven games).
It was the first multi-sack game by the 30-year old Lawrence since 2018. The Cowboys defense racked up a combined 5.0 sacks against the Giants. And Dallas currently leads the NFL with 13.0 sacks recorded over their first three games.
Many believed the performance by Lawrence was good enough to win the NFC’s Defensive Player of the Week award. Unfortunately, that award went to an NFC East rival instead, Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive end Brandon Graham, who recorded six tackles, 2.5 sacks, two tackles for loss, one pass defend, and one forced fumble.
Looking at the comments section of the above tweet, many point to the forced fumble being the difference in the voting, outshining the .5 sack edge Lawrence has over Graham. Others think the Eagles undefeated 3-0 record played a part in the voting.
Obviously, many Dallas Cowboys fans believe DeMarcus Lawrence was robbed of the honor. But controversy surrounds the NFL’s selection of the NFC Offensive Player of the Week award as well. Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson won the award recording 141 rushing yards and a touchdown. That’s despite Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert posting far superior numbers with 157 rushing yards and two scores.
