Rapid Reaction: Dallas Cowboys
October, 19, 2014
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
ARLINGTON, Texas -- A few thoughts on the Dallas Cowboys' 31-21 win Sunday over the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium:
What it means: When the measuring stick in the regular season is the 2007 season, you know the Cowboys are doing something right. The Cowboys are 6-1 for the first time since 2007 and have their first six-game win streak since that season.
With the Philadelphia Eagles on their bye week, the Cowboys moved into first place in the NFC East with their first division win of the season. They also beat the Giants for the second time in a row at AT&T Stadium after losing their first four games at the stadium.
DeMarco Murray had his seventh straight 100-yard game. Tony Romo had his second three-touchdown game of the season. Gavin Escobar had his first two-touchdown game of the season. The defense forced two turnovers.
They simply followed the formula that has them off to this fast start.
Question on D: If there is one thing that is a question about the Cowboys' defense, it is the pass rush -- or the lack of one. Eli Manning had too much time to throw, and although he threw for only 248 yards, he had three touchdowns and no interceptions and was not sacked. He was affected at times, but if the Cowboys want to make the next jump in their play, they need to put the quarterback on the ground. Still, they were able to get a key takeaway when Barry Church forced a Larry Donnell fumble that the Cowboys turned into a touchdown with 9:11 to play. Perhaps rookie defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, who returned to practice last week and is eligible to play Nov. 2 against the Arizona Cardinals, can provide the one element that is missing from this defense.
Game ball: When a player sets an NFL record with his seventh straight 100-yard game to open a season, the game ball really can't go to anybody else. Murray finished with 128 yards on 28 carries and had a 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to give the Cowboys a 28-14 lead with 9:11 to play. In seven games, Murray has more carries than he had in 2011 (164) and '12 (161). He set his career high with 217 last season. He could reach that mark next week and surpass 1,000 yards. He is looking to become the first Cowboys running back to lead the NFL in rushing since Emmitt Smith had 1,773 yards in 1995.
Stock watch: It has taken Gavin Escobar time to become a factor in the Cowboys' offense, but he recorded the first two-touchdown game of his career and now has three touchdown catches in the past two games. His first was a 15-yarder as he came free across the back of the end zone with the Giants defense not paying attention to him. His second was from 26 yards after he widened corner Zack Bowman as he went down the field before coming back to the post for Tony Romo's pass. As he caught the ball he took a hit from safety Quintin Demps.
What's next: The Cowboys make their only appearance on ESPN's "Monday Night Football" when the Washington Redskins travel to AT&T Stadium. This will be the 15th meeting between the Cowboys and Redskins on "Monday Night Football." The Cowboys have won the past four meetings, with the most recent coming on Sept. 26, 2011, on six Dan Bailey field goals in an 18-16 win.