Rust. That’s the word being most used to describe the performance by the Dallas Cowboys‘ offense and quarterback Dak Prescott against the Detroit Lions on Sunday. That’s despite Dallas ultimately beating Detroit, 24-6, at home in AT&T Stadium and Prescott posting a decent stat line.
After missing the past five games with a thumb injury, Prescott made his first start since Week One against the Lions. And the rust showed, as the seventh-year veteran passer struggled through the first half of the game leading to 6-3 Cowboys deficit at halftime.
Prescott rebounded in the second half, leading to 21 unanswered points by Dallas and the victory. Dak would go on to complete 19 of his 25 passes for 207 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. That lone score essentially came in garbage time with 1:55 left and the game already in hand. It also happened to be Prescott’s first touchdown pass of the season.
What’s so worrisome about the Cowboys’ offensive struggles is the fact it took place against the worst defense in the NFL. The Lions’ defensive unit currently allows a league-high 32.3 points per game to opposing offenses.
In fact, Detroit was one-yard away from taking a 13-10 lead early in the fourth quarter. But Lions’ running back Jamaal Williams fumbled the ball away near the goal-line and it was recovered by Cowboys’ linebacker Anthony Barr.
The Dallas defense forced the Lions to turn the ball over a whopping five times in the second half. They also sacked Lions quarterback Jared Goff five times. And that was the real difference maker in this contest.
Once again this season, it was the Dallas Cowboys’ defense that gave their offense time to win the game. And while that formula has led to a 5-2 record, you have to believe it’s only a matter of time before the Cowboys’ offensive woes catch up to them.
