Dallas Cowboys: Studs and duds vs. Dolphins in Week 3

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 22: Xavien Howard #25 of the Miami Dolphins pursues Amari Cooper #19 of the Dallas Cowboys as he scores a touchdown in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 22: Xavien Howard #25 of the Miami Dolphins pursues Amari Cooper #19 of the Dallas Cowboys as he scores a touchdown in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 22: Robert Quinn #58 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts during play against the Miami Dolphins at AT&T Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 22: Robert Quinn #58 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts during play against the Miami Dolphins at AT&T Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Stud: Robert Quinn

Forced to sit out the first two weeks due to a suspension, defensive end Robert Quinn got the start against his former team and made the most of it. Head coach Jason Garrett hinted that Quinn would be on a snap count, but that changed as the game went on.

The veteran pass rusher remained on the field for the majority of the game and in control. After an injury to starting left tackle Jesse Davis, Quinn ended up facing rookie Michael Deiter who moved from left guard to tackle. Deiter did all he could, but Quinn was a handful.

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He was quick off the line every snap and constantly harassed Josh Rosen. He also recorded his first sack of the season with three total tackles. Pairing him and DeMarcus Lawrence gives the Cowboys a rather potent pass-rush.

Dud: Team discipline

One thing that really stood out in a negative way was the Cowboys knack for getting flagged at the worst possible times. They had a couple of big runs called back and twice hurt Randall Cobb‘s stat line due to penalties. The worst of those being a 74-yard touchdown reception by Cobb, which was nullified due to a hold on Connor Williams.

The defense was also guilty of some rough penalties which included a hold on Jaylon Smith and pass interference on Chidobe Awuzie. There was also a roughing the kicker penalty on Anthony Brown, which gave Miami a free down.

In this one, they were able to overcome the mistakes but they have to clean this up. Teams that are better than Miami will make them pay if this continues.