Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys: 27 thoughts after the first three games

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 1:08 a.m. ET

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Here are 27 takeaways to think about after three weeks worth of Dallas Cowboys football is in the books. Also, some insights about the NFC East division.

Sep 25, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) leaves the field after the game against the Chicago Bears at AT&T Stadium. Dallas won 31-17. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

What a difference it is between a 2-1 record and a 1-2 start to boot the NFL season. Yet, here we are: The Dallas Cowboys are in heated race for the NFC East crown after losing their quarterback savior, Tony Romo, just three weeks into the preseason.

Before you dutifully read my article line by line, let’s start with this disclaimer: This is not a feel good, boastful article about your Dallas Cowboys.

No. I realize the 31-17 win over a depleted and traveling Chicago Bears team is what it is — a win. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves (like Philly football fans) and announce that America’s Team is in the next running for the Lombardi Trophy. Yikes.

The truth is the competition in the NFC East is heating up. The Cowboys also have some key opponents coming up, which will be a fine test to a squad improving each week in and out.

The win over Chicago was a good one. Dallas showed some good things, mixing some fresh, rookie ingredients (like how I spun that?) into their game now that the offensive scheme has opened up a bit. And for the most part, it paid off well.

But as they say in the football business, it’s on to the next game. The tests for rookies Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott will only get tougher.

On the following pages are 27 takeaways to think about now that three weeks of pro football is in the books…

Sep 25, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) leaps over Chicago Bears safety Chris Prosinski (31) in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

#1. Zeke can fly. He’s improving each week. He’s learning each week. He will only get better, we figure, as the weeks pass by. His hurdle over a Bears defender is a sample highlight reel, a foreshadowing of what could come. His 140 rushing yards on 30 touches is a sweet, sweet number for a rookie back eclipsing the century mark for the first time in his young career.

#2. Mike Zimmer deserves credit in Minnesota. After several years as the Cowboys defensive coordinator, Zimmer is doing what most expected him to do once he got his chance a head coaching gig. Oh, the Cowboys will pay him a visit Thursday, December 1st. It’ll be interesting to see how the Cowboys match up against him and former Dallas cornerback, Terence Newman.

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#3. On the sidelines were Tony Romo, Mark Sanchez and Kellen Moore. I still can’t believe it’s the 135th overall pick in last year’s NFL Draft leading the way for the Cowboys. And to think there was a time a place where there were honest murmurs about Paxton Lynch and Connor Cook. Amazing. Prescott has six games of watchable tape for defenses to look at now. In three games, he owns a 93.3 quarterback rating, going 66 for 99 and 767 yards. He finally tossed a touchdown pass and has two rushing scores so far.

#4. Forgetting it is rookie starters? Prescott and Elliott had a great night last Sunday on national television. The lights didn’t deter their play; they welcomed it. It’s hard to remember that these are rookies playing considering their level of composure and maturity.

#5. Morris Claiborne earning his dollar. Need I go any further about number 24? The cornerback has been the cornerstone of the defense, and my must watch player as the season goes on. This is the first time in my nearly four years on this site that I’ve ever written something remotely like that when it comes to Mo Claiborne.

#6. How about that referee calling? First the no-call penalty when Dak Prescott went for it in the end zone, then the offsides false start call that would have given Chicago the ball for their onside kick attempt. I thought the call was bad and that the Bears had the ball. Oh well. I guess the two poor calls off set each other.

#7. Jason Garrett should give the red challenge flag to someone else. Lucky for him, the timeout and challenge requests didn’t factor into the game later on.

Sep 25, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrance Williams (83) runs after catching a pass in the third quarter against the Chicago Bears at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

#8. Terrence Williams is a target of problems at the number two spot. I wonder if the Boys will ever get their Alvin Harper again. Williams has this thing with sidelines, as if it’s a scary thing.

#9. Defense is iffy. Admit it: When Williams fumbled your knees got a little jello-like. The defense is doing enough to win out, but it’s going to get tougher with Chip Kelly’s 49ers and the Bengals and Packers. Oh my.

#10. Eagles fly. Let’s be honest about the competition. Carson Wentz looked good. The defense looked good. They dismantled a Super Bowl contender. This should be interesting. The Cowboys face the Eagles October 30th and January 1st for the regular season finale.

#11. NFC East division was upgraded. Everyone looks better. Despite several injuries on the Washington Redskins roster, this division is getting tighter. Years from now we’ll look at last year’s NFL Draft as the springboard for the four teams.

#12. Carson Wentz versus Dak Prescott. Let the discussion begin. It’s just three games into the 2016 NFL year, but imagine this rivalry going on for the next 10 to 15 years. Wow.

#13. Zeke goes for 140. I’m thinking I have to re-watch each run. Maybe it’s all the coughing medicine I’ve been on (I am sick, poor me) but I can’t add up how number 21 got to 140 so fast. Well, that’s awesome, I guess.

#14. Dez Bryant injury and comeback. At the time of this writing I have no word on Bryant’s injury other than it being a low-grade MCL sprain like Russell Wilson in Seattle. Let’s hope he is good to go and throwing up more X’s soon.

#15. Dez Bryant scores. His 17-yard touchdown catch capped of a 10 play drive that milked over six and half minutes worth of clock time. It was Bryant’s first TD for the year as well as Prescott’s first career TD pass. Fitting.

#16. 99 passes but interceptions ain’t one. I wonder who will throw an interception first: Prescott or Wentz. Probably Mark Sanchez.

#17. Chaz Green plays, fouls. He gets a ribbon for effort. His play didn’t look great, but the reps can’t hurt the former third rounder either.

Dec 27, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Dallas Cowboys tackle Tyron Smith (77) against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

#18. Missing Tyron Smith, despite O-Line greatness. The offensive line continued it’s dominance despite Green generating yellow flags. La’el Collins out, no problem with Ronald Leary in. Miss Bill Callahan we do not.

#19. Turnovers are coming. This is a completely different team from last year. Offensively and defensively. As the turnover column heads north, you got to figure the win column does the same.

#20. Smart play-calling: Offensive playbook opens to Prescott’s advantage. Scott Linehan has released the training wheels. Prescott leaped and excelled.

#21. Dallas Cowboys are not the headline in the NFC East. You may disagree. But right now, either the Giants or Eagles are the teams to beat. The Eagles are growing complete and well-rounded. Yes, the Cowboys were a snap or two from a game-winning field goal to top the Giants. So the headline goes to the Eagles, if you ask me.

#22. Forgetting about a guy named Darren McFadden. The Cowboys got a great one and two punch with Zeke and Alfred Morris. Anyone wanna trade? Got a DE?

#23. Kicker Dan Bailey missed. The world freaks out. I freaked out. I double-checked my heart insurance too.

#24. Prescott composed and poised. He continues his march with six games worth of tape now. So much for the preseason fluke, eh?

#25. NBC sold the message that the Cowboys haven’t won a home game since early September of last year, when Romo played. But leave it to Nick Eatman from Dallas Cowboys.com to sell a better tidbit. Prescott’s win at home was the first time in six years the Cowboys won a home game without Tony Romo under center. Wow.

#26. Tony Romo must wait. Things are going to get interesting if Dak Prescott continues to perform under the lights and wins. For now, let’s just let the 36-year-old heal. No rush. A lot of you scorched me for my article last week about Prescott/Romo, but I stand by words.

#27. Cowboys can go 3-1 against Chip Kelly’s 49ers, then meet a true test against the Cincinnati Bengals. 3-1 sure sounds nice. But don’t pull anything over San Francisco. Can Dak and Zeke get another win on the road? See you next Sunday #Cowboysnation.

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