‘It was just about getting down and dirty.’ Dallas Cowboys defense suffocates LA Rams
This was the kind of defense most expected from the Dallas Cowboys in 2019.
The Cowboys (7-7) stuffed, sacked and shut down the Los Angeles Rams Sunday in a lopsided 44-21 win at AT&T Stadium.
It’s their first win over a team with a winning record and put an end to their troubling, three-game losing streak in dominating fashion.
The Cowboys defense deserves most of the credit for Sunday’s turnaround. They held the Rams (8-6) to 289 total yards, their fourth fewest this season. Los Angeles and All-Pro running back Todd Gurley were held to 22 yards rushing. Gurley had 20 yards on 11 rushes.
The Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles (7-7) meet next Sunday in Philadelphia to decide the NFC East division.
“Go win the game and get in the playoffs,” Defensive tackle Maliek Collins said. “I think every game is a must-win situation. We don’t calculate which ones we’re going to lose.”
A good chunk of those yards came in the final five minutes of the game. The Rams scored on drives of 75 and 60 yards to tack on two meaningless touchdowns.
After missing a league-wide season-high 19 tackles last week against the Chicago Bears, the Cowboys only missed one against the Rams.
“The No. 1 thing was coming out there and being ourselves,” Linebacker Jaylon Smith said. “We know what type of talent we have on this team, we know what type of character we have on this team. And we needed to show that on and off the field tonight.”
They kept Jared Goff shaky throughout the game. Goff was uncharacteristically inaccurate and completed 26 of 42 passes for 226 yards and an interception.
Sean Lee’s interception and 25-yard return late in the first half set up the Cowboys’ second touchdown and a 14-7 lead. Lee also had one of two Cowboys’ interceptions. Jourdan Lewis had the other.
“There were no secrets today … it was just about getting down and dirty,” Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence said. “We just have to keep building. This is the team we know we can be.”
Antwaun Woods, who missed the previous two games because of an injury and a marijuana arrest, had three tackles, including one for a loss.
This story was originally published December 15, 2019 at 6:41 PM.
