Dallas Cowboys: 3 Standouts from Preseason Week 2 vs. Rams

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HONOLULU, HAWAII – AUGUST 17: Blake Bortles #5 looks for Darrell Henderson #27 of the Los Angeles Rams during the preseason game at Aloha Stadium on August 17, 2019 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /

3. The starting defensive line

It wasn’t the regular starting line, but the players who were lined up for the Dallas defense played well to start this game out against the Rams. They weren’t facing the starters for Los Angeles, but they were impressive nonetheless.

On Blake Bortles first pass of the game, nose tackle Antwaun Woods was able to get his hands up and knock the pass attempt to the ground. L.A. ended up getting a first down shortly after but then the D-line made some big plays to force a punt.

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The first was Maliek Collins taking running back Darrell Henderson down for a one-yard loss on first-and-10. Henderson was then stuffed for no gain on the next play as Dorance Armstrong came up and made the stop. The Rams then set up a screen pass, only to see Kerry Hyder sniff it out and blow the play up for a two-yard loss.

On the next drive, defensive end Taco Charlton also got in on the fun as he timed Bortles’ pass perfectly on a first-and-15 and jumped up to get in the way. He swatted it down and nearly came away with the pick.

It was a highly encouraging performance, especially considering the questions around the Dallas defensive line early in the year. Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence is still recovering from shoulder surgery and Robert Quinn was suspended for two games to start the season. They will lean heavily on their reserves early in the year, so this performance was great to see.

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