Cowboys offense carrying defense against Rams
The Dallas Cowboys opened the 2020 season with their first player ever taking a knee during the national anthem, and then the defense went out and did the same thing during the first half.
The Cowboys’ first half of their first game at JerryLand (the new SoFi Stadium here in L.A., which is a copy of Jerry World in Arlington) was just a bit similar to the last time these teams played here in SoCal.
In January of 2019, the Cowboys were pushed around by the Rams in the NFC Divisional playoff game and lost, 30-22.
That cool evening, the Cowboys defense could not stop Rams quarterback Jared Goff, and running backs Todd Gurley and C.J. “I’ll Have Everything on the Menu” Anderson.
To start their 2020 season opener in the Mike McCarthy era, the Cowboys can’t stop these Rams, either.
The difference, thus far, has been a missed kick, a rookie receiver, and the quarterback. And the Cowboys lead, 14-13.
1. Worst sign of the first half was not the Cowboys defense, it was watching linebacker Leighton Vander Esch jog to the locker room after the first quarter with a team trainer.
The third-year linebacker missed six games last season with a neck issue that the team insisted was corrected, and just fine.
They’re always just fine, until the game starts.
The team said he was having his X-rays for a concern related to his collarbone. If memory serves, the collarbone is near the neck.
He was ruled out for the rest of the game.
2. Even with Aldon Smith, Everson Griffen and Tank Lawrence, the defensive front had no chance with a secondary that does nothing, and a linebacking unit that is up to the task.
Goff completed 9 of 11 passes to start the game for 105 yards, and the only reason the Rams didn’t lead 10-0 was a bonk field goal Samuel Sloman.
And when the coverage was there, so was the throw.
With less than four minutes remaining in the first half, Cowboys rookie corner Trevon Diggs was in perfect coverage with receiver Van Jefferson on a go-route.
The throw was perfect for a 31-yard gain, and it set up a field goal for a 13-7 lead.
3. Dak Prescott actually outplayed Goff in the first half; Prescott was 15 of 18 passing for 187 yards, and one touchdown.
Other than one dud drive, and another that resulted in a missed field goal, the Cowboys didn’t have much trouble moving the ball, either.
Dak’s favorite target was rookie CeeDee Lamb, who caught four passes for 57 yards.
Final thought, of the sports to be played without fans that I have witnessed, an NFL game being played in an empty building is your winner.
Thus far, I have seen a PGA Tour event, a NASCAR race and an MLB game without fans. Each one was weird in its own distinctive way, but an empty NFL game is your leader.
This story was originally published September 13, 2020 at 8:51 PM.
