Dallas Cowboys

Five Dallas Cowboys Who Earned Their Stars in Week Three

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 1:15 p.m. ET

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Following the Dallas Cowboys 31-17 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday night, here are five Cowboy players who earned their Stars in Week Three.

Sep 25, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne (24) tackles Chicago Bears receiver Eddie Royal (19) in the air in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Cowboys got their second win of the 2016 NFL regular season on Sunday night, defeating the Chicago Bears 31-17 at AT&T Stadium. The prime time victory was the Cowboys first home win since Week One of last season.

Reflecting back on last night’s win, here are five Cowboys players who excelled and earned their Stars against the Bears in Week Three. We’ll start with…

#5. Morris Claiborne, Cornerback

Week by week, Dallas Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne seems to be gaining confidence. It’s a long time coming for the Cowboys sixth overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft.

In his first four years in Dallas, Claiborne was plagued by injuries and inconsistent play. So much so, Mo was a free agent earlier this year after the Cowboys refused to pick up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract.

But Claiborne wasn’t done in Dallas. In March, he signed a one-year, $3 million deal to stay with the Cowboys. And during OTA’s and training camp, he seemed like a different player. Likely healthy for really the first time in a long time, Claiborne excelled this offseason prompting him to be named Dallas’ Training Camp MVP by DallasCowboys.com’s staff writers.

And so far, Mo’s improved play has extended to the regular season. The once unsure Claiborne has become a scrappy, high effort and highly competitive player who is currently the Cowboys best corner. In three games, the 26-year old has 11 total tackles and one pass defend. But his effort and confidence go beyond the numbers. This appears to be the player many fans hoped they were getting back in 2012.

Sep 25, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Chicago Bears running back Jeremy Langford (33) can not make a catch in the first quarter against Dallas Cowboys safety Barry Church (42) at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

#4. Barry Church, Safety

On a Dallas Cowboys’ roster that is full of stars, veteran safety Barry Church is often overlooked. That’s despite the fact Church is one of the most consistent players on the team. Over the last three years, the 28-year old has averaged a whopping 116.3 total tackles per season.

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On the season, Elliott now has 274 total rushing yards on 71 carries averaging 3.9 yards per attempt over his first three games. He also has two rushing touchdowns in that span.

More important than the numbers is the fact Elliott is starting to look comfortable running behind the Cowboys talented offensive line. Admittedly suffering from a lack of patience in his first couple outings, Zeke is quickly learning that he should wait for his lineman to create opportunities for him instead of simply trying to explode through the line.

Despite the learning curve, Zeke has still been impressive away from the ball. On Sunday night, offensive guard La’el Collins got blown up on a play, sending the 6-4, 321 pound lineman flying backwards on his back side. Elliott stepped up in his place and stood his ground against that same Chicago Bears’ defender, stonewalling him. The recognition and effort by Zeke saved his quarterback from a sure sack.

Sep 25, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) signals at the line of scrimmage against the Chicago Bears at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

#1. Dak Prescott, Quarterback

There likely hasn’t been a more impressive rookie under center at the helm of America’s Team than quarterback Dak Prescott since the days of Roger Staubach in Dallas. Although his numbers my not seem all that impressive, his command of the team and poise in the pocket certainly are. And the only numbers that really matter are 2-1.

Prescott likely had his most impressive outing of the season Sunday night against the Chicago Bears. Completing 79.2% of his passes (19 of 24), the rookie threw for 248 yards and his first passing touchdown of his young career, a 17-yard strike to All-Pro wide receiver Dez Bryant to seal the win in the fourth quarter.

The 2016 fourth round selection out of Mississippi State also rushed for his second touchdown of the season against Chicago. Prescott had four rushing attempts for 36 yards on the night. The most by the rookie quarterback so far.

Maybe most impressive is the fact Prescott has yet to throw an interception in his first three games. So far this season, Dak has completed 66 of his 99 passing attempts for 767 yards and three total scores. More importantly, Prescott has led the Cowboys to two victories. That’s one more win than three different back-up quarterbacks were able to secure last season for Dallas in 12 games.

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