Cowboys Defense Gets it Done

Another game, another team that gave us everything they had, but in the end the Cowboys get the win. There’s something to be said about these sort of gritty wins. Doesn’t 11-1 sound so good?

This team is battled hardened and able to put the screws to people when the games gets close, that’s their realm.

At 11-1, the Cowboys remain in the driver seat of the NFC East and homefield advantage. Time is running out for the rest of the conference, and with a Redskins loss or Buccaneers loss the Cowboys will clinch a playoff birth.

This team is at another level though, yes you want to win the East, but their eyes are dead-set on clinching homefield advantage. This game against the Vikings was as close as they come to a playoff type atmosphere, then again, so will next Sunday Night.

That being said, this is why you want the Super Bowl to go through Dallas.

Here are my thoughts on the game:

• Rod Marinelli and the defense get my gameball. I mentioned this in my previous post and this defense ultimately won this game. Marinelli knows Shurmur and it was just enough to stifle them most of the game and keep them to field goals.
• Sean Lee is playing at a Pro Bowl caliber level. He’s been impressive this year.
• Welcome back Barry Church. He was a welcomed addition back into the lineup and had some nice tackles for his first game back in action. He led the team with 7 tackles, 2 assists.
• 3rd down conversions were the worst of the year at just 11% and it felt like it. Credit the Vikings defense, they went toe-to-toe a full 4 quarters. Probably the best front we will have faced this year. Better than Giants and Ravens.
• Fumbles reared their ugly heads and almost bit us in the ass. The fumbled snap was brutal and should never happen.
• Jason Witten was held without a catch, a first in very-very long time.
• We had a multi-sack game and it helped swing the momentum on a few drives.
• Demarcus Lawrence always seems to be falling down on his way to the QB. C’mon already…
• Maliek Collins was disruptive in this game and notched another sack. He has some serious upside moving forward.
• Overall the secondary did a nice job locking down the Vikings by limiting big splash plays and wrapping up the receiver upon catching the ball.
• Dak Precott has the “it” factor. He can manufacture drives and get the team down the field. Unfortunately, penalties were coming from everyone and killed several promising drives.
• The Cowboys won, but I know they know this was not a god showing offensively. Way too many penalties. Look for the Cowboys to refocus and put together some scoring drives against the Giants as they will want to redeem themselves.
• Credit Jason Garrett’s staff for seeing the Vikings fumble on the kickoff return. That recovery won the Cowboys the game.

Who gets your gameball for this victory? Please vote below!

Cowboys win. Gameball goes to? #CowboysNation #DallasCowboys #DALvsMIN

— Joe Rodriguez (@CowboysBlogNet) December 2, 2016

The Cowboys will have 10 days to prepare for the New York Giants, and it should be another brawl at Metlife Stadium.

Good job Cowboys, keep this thing going and clean up the penalties.