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2021-2022 Regular Season: Cowboys Prevent Panthers From Pouncing And Face The Giants (Who Have Suddenly Rediscovered Their Defiance)

October 7
, 2021 At 11:44 PM CST
By Eric M. Scharf
 
Week four brought some big game cats to the Dallas Cowboys’ door. “Cowboys Nation” was undoubtedly expecting an entertaining hunting trip, and it was on “America’s Team” to crack the whip and avoid a too-close-for-comfort slip. While both teams were either hunting or prowling on less than a full-health load, they had no choice but to do the best they could with what they had while adhering to the warrior’s code (like the rest of the league already dealing with and reeling from enormous injury fatigue).

Hunt Or Punt?

After an exchange of punts (and a Randy Gregory sack) to start the game, forward progress (with Dak and Co. on the attack) would officially enter the frame. A 19-yard first down carry by running back Ezekiel Elliott was almost diminished by a second down snap that almost resulted in Prescott being finished. Dak would recover the low-and-away slider he received from second-year center Tyler Biadasz and – rather than standing tall in a pocket ready to fall – he took off through a Tyron-Smith-opened lane, broke a tackle, and came within four yards of another first down gain.

As a brief aside, while Biadasz is under fire to perform better than an undersized, err, underpowered spare tire, enhancing his repertoire with anything close to an Andre Gurode specialty will only add to his perceived frailty.

Nonetheless, Dak and Co. would return to feeding Zeke (who would easily pick up another first down). On the very next play – with 10:23 remaining in the first quarter from the Panthers' 38 – Dak would take the snap from center, fake to Zeke, look left, scan right, and find tight end Dalton Schultz all alone and clapping like a seal to make Carolina pay. He would go for 18 yards down to the Panthers' 20. "Thunder 'N Lightning" or "Smash 'N Dash" or Zeke and fellow running back Tony Pollard would deliver a few more commanding carries, the last of which was headlined by guard-temporarily-turned-fullback Connor "Mini Fridge" McGovern (to better clear the path of defensive flurries). After a missed Dak-to-Schultz connection, McGovern returned to ensure tacklers of an end-zone-entering Zeke were spurned. Though – in using his always-lauded patience to find the right gap – Elliott selected a different hole for this one-yard touchdown stroll. It was a snap. Zeke and the Cowboys broke the scoring ice with a 7-0 score. Quite nice.

For those fans and prognosticators who believed the injury-absence of Panthers star running back Christian McCaffrey was going to completely cripple the Carolina cats rather laughably, his near-equally-shifty backup Chuba Hubbard – when granted the chance to dance – was no dullard. When it was Carolina's turn to answer back (with 7:27 remaining in the first quarter from their own 25), Hubbard delivered a 14-yard burst to get them on track (plowing through Dallas safety Damontae Kazee most notably). Carolina quarterback Sam Darnold would methodically drive his offense down the field (mixing in another 12-yard rush from Hubbard plus an impressive 29-yard catch-and-run by wide receiver D.J. Moore). Another pass to D.J. would have Carolina knocking at the one-yard door. A fake toss to Hubbard followed by the use of Darnold’s own dynamic wheels provided a touchdown yield. It was Darnold’s league-leading fourth rushing touchdown of a still-young season (reminding “Cowboys Nation” of the still-imperfect, still-incomplete, still-in-progress middle of the Cowboys’ defensive front, which remains none-too-pleasin’).

While the score was tied – and it appeared neither offense would be particularly denied – some mutually-impactful drama (on the Cowboys' next offensive series) would be applied. Dak – on 2nd-and-10 from his own 25 – would take the shotgun snap and find Schultz for a four-yard catch from the slot (after which Dalton would turn on a dime and continue towards a first-down spot, yet not before he nearly allowing an "unpopular" crime). Carolina linebacker Shaq Thompson would attack from behind, forcing Schultz to nearly fumble in kind. Dalton's knee was JUST down before the ball began to loosen and fall. After further review, possession would remain with Dallas so true. Dak (on a seemingly duplicate route) would come right back to Dalton before the ball came right out (following another big hit that – though he was down – appeared to have him double-faultin'). While just barely getting that pass by linebacker Shaq Thompson was unintentionally-impressive (and LUCKY) enough, the fumbles were nasty stuff (reminiscent of last year's Atlanta game and certainly felt the same).

And after all that (with 1:17 left in the first quarter), Dallas seemingly had a more-than-manageable 3rd-and-2. Dak and Co. knew what to do and merely had to reinstall offensive guard Connor McGovern at fullback and another first down they would stack. "But, BUT" offensive coordinator Kellen Moore had no additional blocking in store, and right tackle Terence Steele arrived a smidge too late to prevent linebacker Shaq "Here, There, And Everywhere" Thompson from trying to diminish the Cowboys' third down conversion rate. Before even reaching the line of scrimmage, running back Tony Pollard was stuffed (with Thompson, of course, looking like he had been eating his spinach). Just when you figured Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy might have learned his week one, not-from-midfield lesson, he had Dak and Co. lined up on 4th-and-2 to get 'er done. Dak (operating from just past his own 45 with under a minute to play before the half) did not even pretend to draw the Panthers' defense offside. The forward-progress play was going to be executed, and determined bodies were going to collide. Dak would take the snap and survey his options. Rather than standing tall in the pocket while (potentially) holding the ball too long, Dak made the wisest of adoptions. He bolted through another Tyron-Smith-created gap so strong and angling down the left sideline for 21 yards (which turned any remaining concern over Prescott's surgically-repaired ankle into an absolute canard).

 
Zeke would pick up one additional yard before the second quarter arrived, and then the offense would continue to thrive. Dak (on 2nd-and-9 from the Panthers' 32) would find wide receiver Amari "Injury Trooper" Cooper for 14 more. Amari seemed to do himself unseen harm (as he slipped untouched and attempted to support himself on the way down with his right arm). Whether or not he aggravated his previously-cracked rib(s), he got up gingerly and looked pretty sore. Then – on 1st-and-10 from the Carolina 18 – Dak targeted tight end Blake Jarwin out of the slot for a down-the-seam touchdown (for which Cowboys fans had grown somewhat-accustomed to anticipating back in 2019).

Rather than attempt to go up 14-7 (yes, ATTEMPT, as Greg Zuerlein's leg no longer reliably "goes to eleven"), Mike McCarthy would opt to go for the two-point conversion with Kellen Moore calling for a lil' misdirection. Wide receivers Cooper and Cedrick Wilson were bunched just to the right of tight end Dalton (who was giving the appearance of staying in to block instead of performing more passing game assaultin'). Wilson went in motion to the left just prior to Dak receiving the shotgun snap. Amari headed into the end zone, and Schultz would sneak off to the right and towards the goal line, hoping the nearest Carolina defender(s) were taking a nap. Panthers free safety Jeremy Chinn (who failed to stop Jarwin's score on the up-and-in) was determined (albeit narrowly) to avoid a duplicate sin. Schultz's knee was down before the ball "crossed the plane," and time would eventually tell if that failed opportunity (to go from 13-7 to 15-7) would cause some pain.

While the timing of a two-point conversion is almost, ALMOST always a risk, there was a truly-unforgiveable mental error by McCarthy, tsk, tsk. The Panthers had a 2nd-and12 from their own 23, and former Cowboys reserve offensive tackle Cameron Erving was called for a 15-yard facemask penalty. Discerning Cowboys fans were all "Goodie! Goodie!" until McCarthy declined. Those same fans responded: "It is one thing to show growing confidence in 'The Mighty Quinns' but ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!" THAT was all Carolina needed to pair with another speedy Sam Darnold scramble, followed some dink and dunk, and successfully finished with Darnold's FIFTH rushing touchdown to toss in his running back, err, trophy trunk.

The Cowboys and Panthers - with just over 4:30 remaining in the first half - would begin taking more turns punting. Dak would narrowly-avoid a would-be, poorly-thrown interception (at the feet of Blake Jarwin by nearest defender, cornerback Donte Jackson) that would have been progress-stunting). And on the Panthers next possession, defensive end Randy Gregory ensured Sam Darnold would experience more SACKtastic regression.

The Cowboys had 1:40 with which they could still, STILL play "if, IF" Mike McCarthy would just keep his clock management "skills" completely out of the way. and (perhaps to a half-ending score) conveniently pave the way. Dak – on 1st-and-10 from the Panthers' 28 – would find a toughin'-it-out Amari Cooper with a 20-yard catch aiming to set 'em straight, but Panthers pressure would result in no half-ending, Cowboys-scoring pleasure.

The Mighty Quinns – particularly defensive tackle Osa "Leverage" Odighizuwa, linebacker Micah Parsons, and defensive end Tarell Basham – would bring more pocket-crushing pressure of their own on Sam Darnold and would eventually trash 'im.

While the Dallas defense would give up a big, Darnold-to-D.J.-Moore 39-yard catch-and-run (to start the third quarter), more defensive pressure on third down and a missed field goal would ultimately make the rest of the game (for Carolina) no fun. The Panthers' 14-13 lead would change in short order.

Prescott would soon after connect on a 35-yard touchdown pass with Amari Cooper to break Dallas out of their momentary scoring stupor. Dak and Co. would follow that up with a 47-yard rushing explosion by Zeke all the way down to the Carolina six, and a Prescott pass to Dalton Schultz to quite easily get him back in the touchdown scoring mix. Another two-point conversion attempt (to CeeDee Lamb) would come up exempt.

 
Before the Cowboys could become too fixated on how their two-point conversion efforts were getting so annihilated, sensational second-year cornerback Trevon Diggs would show Sam Darnold how-and-why he has been increasingly leaving NFL quarterbacks feeling so violated.

 
Dak would then find Cedrick Wilson for a 23-yard score to push the Cowboys' total (ballooning to 33-14) just a lil' bit more. "And, AND" The Mighty Quinns would come right back with another turnover SMACK! Trevon Diggs would secure his second pick (showing Sam Darnold that – given his generosity towards defensive secondary curiosity – there are endless aerial ways in which Diggs could continue to turn that trick).

Dak and Co. would add one final field goal before pulling players like Trevon Diggs (with back tightness) among one or two others to best ensure the specter of additional or worsening injury had no one else to immediately smother.

Sam Darnold would (understandably and wisely) use those artificial absences to add two (mildly garbage time) passing touchdowns to the game-ending tally (without – of course – receiving full credit for the late contest rally).

The Dallas Cowboys would go on to defeat the Carolina Panthers 36-28 and – until next time they meet (perhaps, PERHAPS having regained all their mutually-missing parts in the playoffs?) – perhaps one team will experience a change of fate. For THIS contest, however, the Cowboys got to successfully hunt, and the Panthers more often (when not being intercepted) had to punt.

Short Shots And Hot Spots

The all-powerful, top-rated Carolina Panthers defense neither sacked nor intercepted Dak Prescott. They did not quite deliver the pressure that (some but not all) Las Vegas bookies expected or sought.

Prescott was only (required to be) 14 of 22 for 188 yards so seemingly pedestrian, but he and his stable of thoroughbreds delivered FOUR TOUCHDOWNS so equestrian. Just BECAUSE you can throw for 400+ yards does not mean you must, unless your defense and / or special teams have gone bust. Yet, as “The Tortured Cowboys Fan” doth routinely profess, doing WHAT you can prevents your killer instinct from becoming a “lower yourself” mess.

Though his best friend's numbers were deceptively small, Ezekiel Elliott's stats (20 carries for 143 yards and one touchdown) were demonstratively all that (even if you removed the 47-romp, which Dallas gladly accepted as a critical part of their pussy cat stomp).
 
 
“And, AND” if not for Zeke (typically) receiving the lion's share of rushing opportunities, Tony Pollard (with 67 yards on 10 carries) might also have cut the Giants down to the bone with impunity. If, IF a certain “someone” finally returns (healthy and ready) from suspension in time for week seven, the Cowboys’ running game could and SHOULD become absolute heaven.

 
The Mighty Quinns – on the defensive flipside – produced five sacks, 11 pressures, and two interceptions with pride against Sam Darnold (who may still be young and promising but – at times – was made to look confused and old).

Defensive end Randy Gregory, linebacker Micah Parsons, defensive end Tarell Basham, defensive end Chauncey Golston, and defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa spent most of the game in hot pursuit of Darnold (with ever-growing confidence he would eventually fold).
 
 
 
 
While defensive coordinator Dan Quinn deserves all the praise being tossed (by the truckload) his way, defensive line coach Aden Durde has certainly been leaving his collaborative mark on the Cowboys’ quality defensive play (especially through coaching up 2021 draft picks defensive tackle Odighizuwa, Golston, and defensive tackle Quinton Bohanna). Even without a couple of interior defensive line veterans, opposing running games (unlike in 2022) are no longer going bananas.
 
The Tortured Cowboys Fan has always been about building up and sustaining a team’s killer instinct to avoid becoming extinct . . . as (former Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett's preferred method of) "outlast" or survival only ensures you will eventually unravel (without that determined pledge to always, ALWAYS maintain and refine your edge).
 
Dan Quinn and his defensive staff – through significant player personnel turnover (to remove one-and-all a roster imposter) and just one offseason "And, AND" through JUST four games – have demonstrated how competing against the Dallas Cowboys' defense no longer triggers an immediate opponent laugh. The Tortured Cowboys Fan – in the (former) absence of a truly complementary defense that could reasonably hold up its part of the plan – would always remind Cowboys Nation that team leader Dak Prescott needed to carry still more of the burden, the KILLER INSTINCT that comes with truly being THE MAN. Prescott – fair or not – had to be that rising tide to lift all boats on the fly (but – magically, MAGICALLY – without as much risk as "That Announcer Guy").
 
While Prescott's burden will still undoubtedly involve future takeover moments, The Mighty Quinns have shown they are willing and increasingly able to do their share by aggressively cutting down on "performance postponements" of the past (by putting more opponents on early-game blast). YES, Yes, yes, the Dallas Cowboys are still working on delivering a full 60 minutes (in all three phases of the game) to ensure their 2021 opponents never feel entirely sure they can get back in it. "If and when, IF AND WHEN" they DO have that whistle-to-whistle effort finally figured out, fans will "HOW 'BOUT THEM COWBOYS!" shout and opponents will "HERE WE GO AGAIN!" pout.

Good Quote Or Bad Bloat?

“I think he's playing such elite-level football, both with his arm but also with his mind, with his feel for the game. It's unbelievably impressive watching him. When you look at Dak, to me, he’s at the highest level of mastery over this offense." – Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule on Cowboys quarterback Prescott (possible seeking to generate a pre-game, butter ‘im up audience).

“We’re building a culture. I can’t really explain it, but it feels like something special is going to happen.” – Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper (making it clear that long-gone is “the process” from Captain Clappin’).

“This is about players, guys. This isn’t that complicated. Let the guys make plays. Put them in position, and let them go do work. It’s a lot of fun.” – Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore (oh so coyly papering over the fact that – absent one or more of your very best players – more ADJUSTMENT must be done).

“When he gets interceptions, I almost laugh, I understand.” – Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott on Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (acknowledging Trevon’s ability – now with four interceptions on the year and ZERO fear – to make even the safest of passes not go as planned).

“Leighton is such a consistent player for us. He’s rarely out of position. He’s an excellent communicator, he’s a good tackler. You just feel his size and length when he’s in there, so I was pleased with Leighton in this game.” – Cowboys defensive coordinator on linebacker Leighton Vander Esch (knowing that if his contract-year defender can magically remain healthy, he could – once again – be a key component of the Cowboys’ defensive mesh).

"We played so well for three quarters, and I think guys kind of relaxed a little bit. We can't have that. We have the ability to really shut teams out and finish them out. I think we had the opportunity to do that this week, just like last week, and we didn't capitalize on that. I think that's probably the aspect of our game as a whole that we need to get better at. We just have to choke teams out. We had the opportunity to that, and we didn't do it. Four minutes left in the game, it's an 8-point game. That's not what you want. We just have to get better at that." – Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory (with the BEST player statement in favor of KILLER INSTINCT as a replacement for ANY defensive lethargy).

Misery Loves Viruses And Injury

While reserve defensive end Dorance Armstrong is out with an ankle injury, people are starting to wonder if strong safety Donovan Wilson (who continues to recover from a preseason-produced groin strain) will play again this century. Poor guy simply cannot convince that injury to die.

A number of other players – wide receiver Amari Cooper, running back Ezekiel Elliott, defensive end Randy Gregory, defensive end Carlos Watkins, and cornerback Trevon Diggs – continue to soldier on, managing nagging injury (as far as possible away from a brief absence to serious downtime or – GASP – surgery).

Hybrid strong safety / linebacker Keanu Neal and reserve defensive end Bradlee Anae both are expected to return from COVID-19 protocol (and will hopefully – from the upcoming game and forward – remain available for the long haul).

Both second-year defensive tackle Neville Gallimore and 2021 rookie second-round pick Kelvin Joseph are inching closer to returning from short-term injured reserve. “All they have to do” is avoid that unexpected recovery swerve.

Though “everyone” was (originally) hopeful that wide receiver Michael Gallup would be ready to return from short-term injured reserve by week five, it will have to be a later date for which Gallup must strive.

Offensive tackle La’el Collins remains ineligible – until after week six – to return to action. What’s that? Collins is only suspended, not injured. Correct, but Collins clearly needs to be checked for a brain injury due to the offensive line his selfish absence nearly upended (and the intensely-high probability that – regarding the reason for his suspension – he lazily, stupidly perjured).

Sailin’ From Jaylon

Linebacker Jaylon “Smooth” Smith went from captain against Carolina on Sunday to cut by the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday of this week (and his departure could not have been more undesirably meek).

The former University of Notre Dame star linebacker who was destined to be a first-round attacker, who had suffered a horrifying knee injury (torn ACL and LCL), who was not expected play football again (let alone walk properly every now and then), who saw his earned-turned-hopeful draft position plummet until GM Jerry said “Call it in, dadgummit,” who spent his entire rookie year undergoing physical therapy so mind-blowing, who made it ALL THE WAY BACK to the grid iron (preventing a case of drop foot from making him kaput) in his second year to give former Cowboys star linebacker Sean Lee a helping hand to steer, who then began to collaborate so well with 2017 rookie linebacker Leighton “Wolf Hunter” Vander Esch that they eventually “combined powers” to become “Van Jaylon,” who then suffered inconsistent-to-poor performances in the injury-absence of LVE, who then suffered further in a 2020 defensive scheme that was far from the most effective theme, who then showed “some” signs of improvement (under a different coach with a player-first commitment and approach) until the end of (the first or only chapter?) of his NFL dream has moved on (with few to none seriously ready to scream).

 
“Me? I mean, watch the film. But for me, it’s a blessing to be able to play this game. So many people thought I’d never play ever again. So, for me, I’m my worst critic, and I’m my biggest fan. I’m gonna keep at ‘em, keep grinding," said Jaylon last year (when the exact opposite of his admirable belief had – as early as 2019 – become unfortunately clear).

"B-BUT Jaylon led the team in tackles last year!" you say (perhaps with comprehension of his accomplishment a little unclear). Quantity of tackles does not equate to the WHEN quality of tackles. Stopping an opposing ball-carrier at the moment he attempts to cross the line of scrimmage or when he attempts to catch a pass over the intermediate middle or deep end of the defensive backfield can and often does result in an artificially-inflated yield. Jaylon – since 2018 – had increasingly stopped ball-carriers not at the earliest point of contact (or at some point along the way) but at the end of their run, and that is a regrettable fact.

"It's been a part of my life. I've been wearing number nine since I was nine years old, through pee wee, middle school, high school, college, All-American games, you name it. Number nine is a part of me. It's really just a blessing to be able to continue the legacy.” – Jaylon Smith in late May 2021 (explaining how his jersey number switch from 54 to nine might, MIGHT help restore part of the game day mojo he lost before the Cowboys inexplicably found him worthy of being tossed). The NFL would agree to look the other way on all remaining “54” merchandise in return for Smith paying a $500,000.00 price. (Many But Not All) Fans everywhere – who spent an average of $60.00-$100.00 on his former jersey – were heard to say in unison: “Well, ain’t that BLEEPIN’ NICE!”

Four games into the 2021 season, Jaylon Smith no longer wore the former jersey number of Chuck Howley or Randy “The Manster” White. While Smith gets to wear number nine for his new team, he does not get his “number bumbler” money back, he may be the very last person to pound the table and yell “THIS ain’t right!”

Though the Dallas Cowboys wanted Jaylon Smith to stick around, their appetite to keep him at the remaining portion of his guaranteed $7.2M base salary this year had completely run aground. If his contract had not included a(n approximate $9.2M) guarantee-against-injury clause for 2022, Dallas might, MIGHT have had more interested trade partners to pursue. Relinquishing his injury guarantee was something Jaylon viewed with understandable derision, leaving GM Jerry with a business decision.

 
Whatever his new team – the Green Bay Packers – are paying Smith on his prorated one year deal, compared to what the Cowboys are still required to pay him, they surely view the transaction as a steal (until they see how he performs within THEIR system, and then he may have less appeal).

“Nothing other than business. It’s the National Football League. I’m just blessed and thankful to be able to play at the place I wanted to play, and that’s with the Green Bay Packers. [What kind of player are you now?] Elite.” – Former Cowboys linebacker Jaylon “Smooth” Smith (not making a believable effort to dispel at least one BIG myth).

While the Cowboys are sailin’ from Jaylon, may his “Clear Eye View” help him pull through (unless and until he the Packers are facing the Cowboys, and then he gets a proper dose of “Screw YOU!”).

Will They Or Won’t They?

The New York Giants head into AT&T Stadium as (high as a kite) confident as they have been in quite some time (and looking for a second-consecutive win – against their most-hated opponent – that resembles a brutal crime).

 
New York’s offense will be without dangerous-when-healthy wide receivers Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton, as well as offensive lineman Ben Bredeson (which – of course – makes it harder for Giants quarterback Daniel Jones to get more things done). Strong safety Jabrill Peppers will also be unavailable for the Giants’ defense (at a time when New York needs maximum available talent to ensure the Cowboys’ offense even remotely relents).

Will the New York Giants’ offense – fresh off their unexpected success against the New Orleans Saints – be able to overcome the Cowboys’ new-and-much-improved defensive restraints?

Will Dak Prescott – on the anniversary of the game in which his ankle Giants cornerback Logan Ryan would (unintentionally) maim – give it MORE than all he’s got?

We shall see. We always do.