Dallas Cowboys studs and duds from Week 7 blowout loss
By Randy Gurzi
Dud: Andy Dalton, Quarterback
Andy Dalton started the game out rough as he had a fumble in the red zone, which nearly gave up touchdown. Once he got the ball back down 9-0, the Cowboys settled for field goal since they called a screen to Lamb on 3rd and 4. Dallas was scared to throw with Dalton and the great setup from Tony Pollard on the kick return was wasted.
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Dalton then gave the team a shot on fourth-and-1 after a third-down scramble but ended up missing a couple of receivers deep. He had pressure in his face from Chase Young but once again, his throw under pressure was just slightly off. And his presence led to this play since the defense was selling out to stop Zeke. Washington dared Dalton to throw and he couldn’t do it. Just a couple of plays later, the Football Team scored a deep touchdown as Kyle Allen hit Terry McLaurin for six.
The Dallas backup was unable to finish the game after taking a violent hit to the head and finished 9-of-19 for 75 yards and a pick. Dalton has not been what the Cowboys hoped he would be throughout his first two starts, and while we all surely hope he’s okay after the hit, he needs to improve greatly if he wants to remain the starter for the rest of the season.
Stud: Tony Pollard, Running Back/Kick Returner
Tony Pollard had his best kick return as a pro, running it 67 yards to the Washington 34. This was the first time they started a drive in enemy territory this season, which is mind-blowing in its own right. Unfortunately, the offense did nothing as they managed just seven yards before having to settle for a field goal.
Still, Pollard’s return was big as he tried to do his part to get the offense going. It was just too bad he didn’t make the final guy miss because it would have been their only score of the game.