Dallas Cowboys: Studs and duds vs. Rams in Week 15

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 15: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys runs for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 15: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys runs for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Dallas Cowboys (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Dallas Cowboys (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) /

Stud: Sean Lee, LB

With Leighton Vander Esch out yet again for the Cowboys defense, there was also concern at the end of the week whether or not veteran Sean Lee would be able to suit up for Dallas as a replacement for the young linebacker. But not only did the tough-minded Lee earn an active tag for the game but he was one of the stalwarts of a beautiful defensive effort by the Cowboys.

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Lee didn’t put up gaudy tackle numbers by any means (four total takedowns on the day) but he made his efforts count. Not only did the veteran notch a sack on Jared Goff but he also picked off the Rams quarterback at a critical juncture that really swung the momentum of the contest fully in favor of the home team. It was a heroic effort from an experienced leader to come up with a game such as that.

Dud: Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup, WR

Dak Prescott and the Cowboys passing attack weren’t exactly firing on all cylinders on Sunday afternoon, largely because they didn’t need to be. Having said that, it would’ve been nice to see the two general studs of the wide receiver corps step up and deliver amidst the scoring party in Dallas. Instead, Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup were largely non-factors.

Cooper was targeted just twice and had just one reception for 19 yards (though it was for a first down). Gallup, meanwhile, had only one catch for six yards while getting three targets on the day. It was a rough game for the pass-catching stars for America’s Team and they’re fortunate that they weren’t needed more in the blowout victory.