Cowboys News: Defense dominates; Zack Martin, Micah Parsons injury updates
The Cowboys offense is still getting warmed up, it seems. The team posted a third massive win on the season this past Sunday, but it’s the defense and special teams that are carrying the club at the moment. We’ll go inside their latest dominant performance and all the big moments that made up the 38-3 win over New England.
Elsewhere, Dak Prescott is turning the page to San Francisco, even while he and his new security-blanket tight end are going to extra lengths to get on the same page. We have encouraging news on the gameday injuries to Micah Parsons, Zack Martin, and Rico Dowdle, we’ll break down DaRon Bland’s breakout game, and we see what Week 4’s win did for Dallas in the power rankings. All that, plus an early look at the 49ers according to Vegas, more on the offense’s red-zone issues, and everything you need to take away from the pasting of the Patriots is all right here in News and Notes.
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NFL power rankings Week 5: New No. 1 as blowouts reshape perception :: Cowboys Wire
San Francisco retakes the top spot in the power rankings after a big win over Arizona. Buffalo, Kansas City, Philadelphia, and Miami round out the rest of the top 5. Dallas climbs back to No. 6, up two spots from the week prior.
Dan Quinn restates confidence in defense: 'That was us' :: The Mothership
“Last week, I sat up here and was discouraged about our performance, and said that wasn’t us,” the defensive coordinator said of giving up 222 rushing yards and 28 points in Week 3. “Yesterday, that was us. The energy, the hitting, the ball-hawking. That is us and that felt more like our style and attitude.”
Cowboys defense showing it can be identity of success for the franchise :: The Athletic
Sunday’s game was decided in an 11-minute span in the second quarter. Prescott and the offense made a cameo but make no mistake, the defense and special teams shouldered the load. From a special-teams tackle John Fassel said that Jalen Tolbert probably wouldn’t have made last year to the touchdown Vander Esch was so unprepared for he didn’t have a celebration dance ready and a fake-PAT that had Chauncey Golston sitting on the sideline with butterflies, the defense and special teams have shown that they’re capable of carrying this Cowboys team to victory.
'He's doing everything the right way': Cowboys coaches, teammates on breakout CB DaRon Bland :: Cowboys Wire
Last year’s fifth-round draft pick notched his second multi-interception outing in his last 10 games and has more picks since the start of 2022 than anyone. Sunday’s pick-six was already Bland’s second score of the young season. That ties the Cowboys single-season mark, just four games in. He still has 13 more chances to secure the franchise record for himself. “It’s the confidence,” Prescott said of Bland. “It’s the guys that really take chances, especially when they’re younger and they take chances.”
Quinn's defense setting the bar :: Ed Werder
Since Dan Quinn became the #Cowboys DC in 2021, Dallas leads the NFL in takeaways and defensive touchdowns, which has led to an NFL-best 267 points off turnovers in that time.
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) October 2, 2023
Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle will 'have a chance to play' vs 49ers after MRI on hip :: Cowboys Wire
Dowdle left Sunday’s game in the second quarter with a hip issue. MRI tests showed it to be a deep bruise rather than an injury that will cost him serious playing time. The team plans to have Dowdle work with the rehab group on Wednesday; he could play on Sunday night if he responds well.
Cowboys follow up with additional updates on Zack Martin and other injuries :: A to Z Sports
Martin has already dealt with a groin injury and an ankle injury so far this season. On Sunday, he suffered a bruised quadriceps. He, like Dowdle, will work with the rehab group during Wednesday’s practice and have a chance at playing the 49ers.
Micah Parsons might be limited Wednesday but good to go for Sunday :: ProFootballTalk
After briefly leaving Sunday’s game to have his ankle and knee checked in the medical tent, Parsons returned. “I’m not of high concern with it,” Mike McCarthy said. The hybrid linebacker may nonetheless be limited on Wednesday as a precaution.
DeMarcus Lawrence quietly having awesome start to season :: John Owning
Pre-MNF, DeMarcus Lawrence is currently possesses PFF's second-highest season-long grade among EDGEs, behind only Nick Bosa.
Micah Parsons is 5th. #Cowboys
— John Owning (@JohnOwning) October 2, 2023
Postgame analysis of Cowboys-Patriots :: Cowboys Wire
Cowboys return to form, check all boxes in 38-3 drubbing of Patriots
Studs & Duds: Vander Esch, Tolbert among standouts in pasting of Patriots
Good, bad and ugly: Red-zone play ruins Cowboys’ perfect performance vs Pats
What we learned in the Cowboys’ big win over New England in Week 4
Twitter reacts to Cowboys’ disrespectful, unnecessary, but fun fake XP
Cowboys’ offense moves ball well ‘between the 20s.’ So what’s with the red zone issues? :: Dallas Morning News
Dallas leads the NFL in drives of 10 or more plays, and they convert third downs more often (51.6%) than anyone. So why are they 30th out of 32 in red zone efficiency? They got in once from inside the 20 in Week 4, but they came up short on three other visits. “That’s a little bit of a balancing act,” said offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. More work to do, obviously.
Ferguson, Dak chemistry heating up for Cowboys :: The Mothership
Prescott has a passer rating of 103.8 when targeting Ferguson since Week 3. The second-year tight end credits early-morning film sessions with Prescott and tight ends coach Lunda Wells where they all get on the same page over breakfast. “When I’m running a route,” Ferguson said, “I’m always like, ‘OK, this is what he’s thinking,’ and then I go to that spot for him. That’s what’s going on and what I’m trying to develop more and more each week.”
Cowboys still not making a move for Kyle Pitts :: Clarence Hill Jr.
Asked a Cowboys front office executive about Kyle Pitts. He rolled his eyes and walked away.
The Cowboys like their tight ends. They are blocking well and they they will improve in the passing game— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) October 2, 2023
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott already fired up for next showdown vs 49ers in Week 5 :: Cowboys Wire
Prescott used a reporter’s question about January’s playoff loss to flip the switch for a rematch with the team’s that’s bounced them from the postseason two years running. “If you just want to piss me off going into this weekend, I appreciate that,” Prescott said Monday. “I do, actually. I do. Yeah, I appreciate that. Appreciate that.”
Prescott's excellent day, visualized :: Next Gen Stats
Dak Prescott completed +10.7% of his passes over expected in Week 4, his 7th game with a CPOE over +10% in a game over the last two seasons.
No other quarterback has more than 5 games with a CPOE over +10% since 2022; only two have more than 3.#NEvsDAL | #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/3rUefJf9pT
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) October 1, 2023
Cowboys open as underdogs to 49ers ahead of RoadTrip: Revenge :: Cowboys Wire
The opening point spread for the Week 5 Sunday night showdown is 3.5 points, with the home 49ers favored. The over/under is 45.5, and the Cowboys MoneyLine is set at +140.
Cowboys travel schedule shaping up to be brutal :: Bobby Belt
The Cowboys will play one game at AT&T Stadium over the next 41 days. Even with that extended home drought, they finish the season with three out of four on the road, including against the Dolphins and Bills.
Tough calendar for the Cowboys this year.
— Bobby Belt (@BobbyBeltTX) October 2, 2023
