Mac Engel on Dallas Cowboys’ first half: Zeke needs help, the miscues, Aldon is great
For the second time in as many weeks the Dallas Cowboys came out of the locker room wearing clown suits.
After committing a barrage of turnovers against the Atlanta Falcons last week, the Cowboys had a series of screwups in the first quarter on Sunday in Seattle. That is a troubling trend.
Safety Xavier Woods who had his feet planted in the ground gave up a long touchdown, the PAT team can’t make PATs, and Tony Pollard’s bonehead kick return attempt led to a safety.
This team looks unprepared to start a game, but they did wake up. The Seattle Seahawks took at 23-15 lead into the locker room.
It’s the first 23-15 halftime score in NFL history ... so, that’s almost better than winning.
1. Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott has no room
Once the identity of the Cowboys, their offensive line is now a collection of guys you can’t name.
Other than guard Zack Martin, none of the names are there. Left tackle Tyron Smith is out of Sunday’s game with the neck injury that forced him to miss Week 2.
The lack of blocking is killing running back Zeke Elliott. He has no room to run, and was actually stopped for a safety in the first quarter.
2. Seattle receiver DK Metcalf pulled a DeSean Jackson
When the season ends, Seattle receiver DK Metcalf will headline the “Dumbest Plays of 2020.”
The Cowboys have seen this one before. A few times.
Late in the first quarter, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson arced a perfect pass for Metcalf, who had beaten Trevon Diggs.
Metcalf caught what should have been a long touchdown. Instead, two yards from the end zone he let up, and Diggs popped the ball out of Metcalf’s hand, and it went out of the end zone for a turnover.
Longtime Cowboys fans will remember the famous Leon Lett play. In Super Bowl XXVII, the Cowboys defensive lineman was coasting into the end zone for a fumble return for a score when Buffalo Bills receiver Don Beebe slapped the ball out of his hands to prevent the score. (The Cowboys won the game, or course.)
In 2008, the Cowboys hosted the Eagles on a Monday night. Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson was headed towards the end zone for a long touchdown catch, but he casually dropped the ball just before crossing the goal line.
Then Cowboys coach Wade Phillips challenged the touchdown, and replays showed DJax had just dropped the ball prematurely. The Eagles scored on the next play from the 1-yard line. The Cowboys won the game.
3. Aldon Smith is the Cowboys’ best defensive player.
Seattle has no answer, or solution, to keep Smith from blowing up plays. He had two sacks in the first quarter, and has hurried Wilson several other plays.
If he keeps it together, here is your 2020 NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
This story was originally published September 27, 2020 at 5:10 PM.
