HEALTH

Cowboys specializing in well being, hope for unbelievable rally to playoff competition

11/30/2024

With a mini-bye plus a day, the Dallas Cowboys have an opportunity to get a little bit more healthy, although they know any unbelievable rally to playoff competition must be with out star quarterback Dak Prescott.

The Cowboys (5-7) beat the New York Giants on Thanksgiving Day, 27-20, to offer them consecutive victories coming off a five-game shedding streak.

Three extra video games towards groups presently with shedding information await, beginning with a Monday evening go to by Cincinnati on Dec. 9. The defending NFC East champions immediately have hope that they’ll lengthen a three-year playoff run.

“The relaxation is likely to be crucial a part of the schedule,” coach Mike McCarthy mentioned. “If you simply have a look at what we have been coping with, relaxation and restoration will actually assist us. The schedule is about up for our gamers to be on a bye week. I do need them to get away, get their batteries charged, and be able to go.”

For now, the Dallas offense belongs to Cooper Rush after Prescott’s season-ending surgical procedure for a torn hamstring. Rush has gained the previous two video games with out perennial All-Pro proper guard Zack Martin, who ought to have an opportunity to return from shoulder and ankle accidents.

The greatest query, and concern, for the Cowboys is 2023 All-Pro receiver CeeDee Lamb’s unhealthy shoulder, which sidelined him within the second half towards the Giants. Owner/basic supervisor Jerry Jones mentioned on his radio present Friday the additional break day ought to give Lamb an opportunity to play.

A protection that has seemed way more dynamic since star cross rusher Micah Parsons‘ return from an ankle damage may get defensive finish DeMarcus Lawrence again towards the Bengals. Lawrence hasn’t performed since Week 4.

Cornerback Trevon Diggs, a 2021 All-Pro, has missed two video games with groin and knee points. He and fellow starter DaRon Bland, a 2023 All-Pro after setting an NFL file with 5 interception returns for touchdowns, have not performed collectively this season. Bland missed the primary 10 video games with a foot damage.

If the Dallas protection has near its cleanest invoice of well being this season, it could be simply in time to face Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow, who entered this week main the NFL’s No. 1 passing offense.

“Hopefully we’re totally loaded, and I do know they will be totally loaded,” Parsons mentioned. “I’m trying ahead to that.”

What’s working

DeMarvion Overshown‘s dynamic 23-yard interception return for a landing helped the Cowboys end plus-2 in turnover margin for the second consecutive sport. Before that, Dallas was minus-11. In three consecutive 12-5 seasons coming into this 12 months, the Cowboys had been a minimum of plus-10 every time.

Cowboys’ DeMarvion Overshown on unimaginable pick-six – ‘I’ve been ready for one thing like that’

In 4 video games since Parsons returned, the Cowboys are averaging nearly eight QB hits per sport. That quantity was barely above 5 within the 4 video games he missed.

The six sacks of New York’s Drew Lock matched the season excessive for Dallas from the opener towards Cleveland‘s Deshaun Watson. Parsons has 5 1/2 sacks since his return.

“We’re a greater soccer group, a greater protection, when Micah is on the sector,” McCarthy mentioned. “That is with out query. I believe he got here again, we had him a little bit bit on a pitch rely, and now he’s at full velocity.”

What wants assist

The Cowboys have the second-worst landing proportion on journeys contained in the 20-yard line and needed to accept area targets on their first two drives towards the Giants, which led to a 7-6 deficit. They would have been 0 for 3 early within the second half if a fumble by Rush hadn’t been overturned after a replay assessment.

Stock up

RB Rico Dowdle had his first profession 100-yard sport with 112 yards and a landing on 22 carries. The first carry of a minimum of 20 yards by a Dallas working again this season was his 22-yarder within the first quarter. His 4-yard TD gave the Cowboys a 27-10 lead late within the third quarter.

Stock down

Perhaps Lamb’s shoulder is bothering him greater than he needs to confess. Regardless, he had a minimum of two drops, perhaps three. The second was problematic, as a result of it turned what might have been an enormous acquire right into a fourth-and-1 with Dallas main 13-7. The Giants stuffed the dive play to get the ball again, triggering a sequence that led to a New York area purpose.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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