Cowboys report card: Grading Week 4 vs the Texans

When the Dallas Cowboys schedule was very first launched, it appeared like they ‘d beat the New York Giants and Washington Commanders, however lose back-to-back to the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans.

Ends up, getting to 2-2 would be a lot more topsy-turvy than we anticipated, particularly with the New York Giants sitting alone at the top of the NFC East for the very first time in over a years. That’s a subject for another time.

The Cowboys entered into Houston in full-on desperation mode, wanting to prevent a 1-3 start. The only caution was that the Texans were desperate too, which implied they ‘d toss whatever they had at Dallas’ high-powered offense.

Dallas went out with a win, revealing they were the harder group by completing strong on offense and holding it together (hardly) on defense. A great deal of high grades are being distributed on the progress report today.

This was a signature video game from CeeDee Lamb. 17 receptions for 189 lawns, and the game-winning goal is a great day at the workplace. When the Cowboys required a play on offense, particularly in the 2nd half, they sought to Lamb.

Schottenheimer kept the Texans’ defense on their heels by moving him all over the development and not keeping him to one side. The play style to get him the ball was fantastic, utilizing screens and double transfer to exploit his matches.

Dallas won the fight of Texas on the back of their star pass receiver.

After a week of sound about the Cowboys’ GOTI offense not completing drives versus the Baltimore Ravens, it was nearly like the football gods wished to provide Dak Prescott an opportunity at redemption.

Like the Rio video game, Dallas had little time on the clock and 3 indicate connect the video game, or a goal to take the lead. A basket would not do it this time. Not if they are attempting to gain from their errors.

After a should-have-been interception that landed in the dirt in between 2 Texans protectors, Prescott went to work. Lamb’s last goal wasn’t simply for the lead. It got rid of the story that Dallas can’t do it in huge minutes on offense and provided self-confidence for when they discover themselves in the exact same minute once again.

It took him up until the 2nd half to warm up versus a vaunted Houston defense, however Prescott ended up 32 of 45 passing for 335 backyards and one goal. Okay at all.

Tyler Guyton’s advancement has actually been among the greatest stories around the Cowboys through the very first month of the season. Things appear like they are coming together for the previous first-round choice. He still loses a number of matches, however that’s life as a take on in the NFL– absolutely nothing is best, however consistency is essential.

Through 4 weeks, Guyton has actually enabled no sacks and has simply one charge: an incorrect start versus Houston. The Cowboys offense has actually taken advantage of not needing to stress over Prescott’s blindside, and their financial investment in first-round offending linemen continues to provide success other groups imagine.

The ball of clay isn’t formed to excellence right now, however Dallas needs to be thrilled about how their left take on has actually played up until now this season.

Javonte Williams had some unclean lawns in between the 20s, however it was a profession day at a loss zone. The Cowboys running back had 3 goals, and the outstanding part was that none were simple.

The Cowboys paid Williams this offseason not simply for his management, however for how efficient he can be in this offense. He is the group’s real bell cow and has actually revealed this year he’s practically unstoppable in short-yardage circumstances.

Dallas had a hard time in the red zone last year since the play calling was not. This year, there have actually been doubtful minutes, however something is clear: if Dallas has the ball inside the five-yard line, hand it off to No. 33.

The huge guy should have some love. Protective deal with Otito Ogbonnia is beginning to appear every week as a run protector. When the Cowboys signed him in complimentary company this offseason, nobody made a huge offer of it due to the fact that run-stuffing protective linemen do not pop the very same method a cornerback trade does.

Ogbonnia has actually been extremely excellent for Dallas’ defense and a huge factor why they’ve been much better at stopping the run in back-to-back weeks. He’s like a more youthful Jonathan Hankins.

George Pickens might have had simply 2 catches in the video game, however they wee amongst the most crucial catches. His 53-yard, no-look, over-the-shoulder, I-couldn’t-believe-my-eyes reception was the turning point. Dallas scored on their opening drive of the 2nd half, however Houston reacted with a goal of their own. The dink-and-dunk offense required a trigger for the majority of the day, and GP discovered it by doing what he does finest.

Pickens’ 2nd reception began the game-winning drive for 22 backyards when Prescott discovered a hole in the protection and struck him on the left side of the field. Pickens looks more secured this year, despite the fact that he hasn’t got the very same targets as last season.

His time is coming, however for today, he’s doing whatever he can to assist his group win.

Williams had another actually good video game for Dallas and seems settling in well in Christian Parker’s plan. He has actually played in a comparable plan before, however you would need to go back to college to discover that movie. After being taught something various for so long, it might have taken a couple of weeks for him to lastly feel comfy.

Williams appeared in the run video game, however his greatest play began a crucial 3rd down where he got to Stroud and took him down for a sack. That’s the kind of effect protector Dallas not just traded for, however signed to an enormous extension in training school. Momentum seems constructing for Williams, which would be huge for the defense if they wish to turn things around.

Credit to Joey Porter Jr. for diving into the playbook on brief notification and playing significant snaps on Sunday. You might inform he was having fun with a spring in his action, as a gamer who missed out on being on the lawn. Porter Jr. is a rival and isn’t shy about revealing it.

It was a little sample size, which is why he winds up with a B grade. It should not specify him due to the fact that I’m sure he’ll have numerous A-grade video games this year, because that’s the gamer Dallas hoped they ‘d be trading for.

Hey There, Rashan Gary. It took a number of weeks, however he lastly appeared on defense. His sack on Stroud as he went to the sideline assisted reset the tone on defense after Houston led 10-6. Gary was active all video game and put constant pressure on Stroud in the pocket.

Dallas quit a late-round draft choice for Gary, however expectations have actually been greater than what he revealed 3 weeks into the season. On Sunday in Houston, he fulfilled those expectations. Ideally it’s an indication of things to come.

Not frequently does an All-Pro/Pro Bowl gamer fly under the radar, however KaVontae Turpin has actually done simply that. He hasn’t had excessive of a function on offense with the development of Ryan Flournoy kind last season, so it’s moved to him being a huge part on unique groups.

His kickoff go back to begin the 2nd half actually leap began the offense and provided the increase they were despretly searching for. It’s back to back weeks now that Turpin has actually had some great minutes in the return group establishing the offense for a scoring drive.

If the Cowboys defense can require more punts then possibly Turpin can bring the exact same success in another location of the return video game.

DaRon Bland hasn’t been as bad as social networks would inform you, however he definitely hasn’t measured up to the agreement distributed to him before the 2025 season. Perhaps he’s not the exact same gamer given that his foot injuries or he’s having fun with less self-confidence. What ever it is, he needs to play much better.

Now, in Bland’s defense, the pass rush requires to enhance. Quarterbacks should not have the ability to stand in the pocket for 5 seconds requiring the corners to cover for what might seem like a life time. If the secondary is still attempting to work through their interaction concerns, that might trigger receivers to get large open too.

Now that JPJ is here, Bland may see a lot more targets in his instructions. If he can’t discover his footing in the brand-new plan, agreement aside, they may choose to play Cobie Durant or Shavon Revel rather.

Jesse Holley, previous Cowboys pass receiver and existing expert for DLLSwas on top of Jake Ferguson all video game as far as his run/pass obstructing. To put it pleasantly, Holly was dissatisfied in what he saw from the Cowboys Pro Bowl tight end.

As a pass catcher, Ferguson shows to be a trustworthy target for Prescott when he requires an initially down or a goal at a loss zone. He made a fantastic catch on 4th down when Dallas required to keep their video game winnning drive moving.

One location of his video game that’s been an enigma given that signing up with the Cowboys has actually remained in the stopping video game. Dallas asks a great deal of their tight ends when it concerns the run video game, and particularly when they require an additional pass blocker to break the league’s best pass rushes.

Brevyn Spann-Ford is night and day much better at the stopping video game, so if we see him get more run over Ferguson in passing circumstances, it might be the training personnels method of informing their No. 1 tight end they require more from him.