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

Stud: Kai Forbath, K

Much of the talk in Cowboy-land this week was about bringing in Kai Forbath after Dallas finally released Brett Maher following 10 missed field goals through the first 13 games of the season. The question was whether Forbath, a veteran who spent several years in Washington, would indeed be an upgrade over Maher. And after his opening kickoff went out of bands, there was a groan among Cowboys fans.

Forbath, however, redeemed himself with a strong performance after that initial hiccup. He contributed heavily to the scoring barrage. He drilled all three of his field goal attempts, one from 50 yards away, through the uprights and converted all five of his extra points as well. It was a strong debut at a position where Dallas needed stability — even if he then bookended his outing with another kickoff out of bounds.

Stud: Jourdan Lewis, CB

Outside of Tyler Hibee, the Rams were not able to do anything consistently in the passing game. So really, you could say that the entire Cowboys secondary had a stud performance on Sunday. But if we’re pinpointing one player that stepped up with a big effort, you have to look at the most diminutive corner on the Dallas defense, Jourdan Lewis.

Matching up with Cooper Kupp often in the slot throughout the day, Lewis shut down a dangerous receiving threat. Though Kupp finished with six catches for 41 yards and a touchdown, almost all of that came in garbage time. For good measure, Lewis also had a sack and had a forced fumble overturned by penalty. Regardless, it was a big, big game for the former Michigan defensive back.