After QB Andy Dalton had his revenge win against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 14, the Cowboys finally string together back to back wins as they top the San Francisco 49ers 41-33. In a must-win, Dallas kept its slim playoff hopes alive against a 49ers team that has had just as many injuries as the Cowboys in the 2020 season.
Here are three takeaways from the Week 15 win:
The Tony Pollard Show:
Before the game, starting RB Ezekiel Elliott was ruled out with a calf injury leaving backup RB Tony Pollard to get the bulk of the carries today. While Elliott has had a down year, Tony Pollard quietly has proved he has been the better running back. Pollard finished the game with 69 yards on 12 attempts and 2 TDs, but his last touchdown was his most impressive as he danced his way into the endzone for 40 yards. Ezekiel Elliott is undoubtedly the starting RB still, but Pollard has clearly found another gear that Elliott hasn’t. With Zeke still battling an injury, Tony Pollard may be the best solution heading into the final two games of the season.
Defense Still Finding Takeaways:
The Cowboys’ defensive performance was far from perfect as they allowed 458 total yards to the already depleted 49ers offense, but the defense still managed to force four turnovers, which led to 24 points. With two forced fumbles to help grab an early lead and two INTs that sealed the game later in the fourth quarter, the Cowboy defense continued to get important takeaways during critical points of the game. While DC Mike Nolan’s job still looms, at least HC Mike McCarthy is pleased with the better turnover differential that has been detrimental all season.
Cowboys Injury Bug Back Again?:
Just as the Cowboys gained some key defensive players ahead of this week, they leave Week 15 even more banged up. LB Leighton Vander Esch went down in the third quarter with an ankle injury. S Xavier Woods sustained another injury as he left with a chest issue, and WR Michael Gallup suffered a hip injury when the offense needed him the most. While the severity of these injuries remains unknown, the Cowboys hope they’re minor as they gear up to win out the season.
Dallas moves to 5-9 now and moves to third place in the NFC East. The Cowboys started the day off with a top-five pick and ended it with their eyes for first place in the NFC East. It’s obviously a long shot, but everyone in that locker room is determined to win. Next week, rookie QB Jalen Hurts, and the Eagles visit Jerry World as they try to spoil the Cowboys’ hopes of making the playoffs.
For more NFL coverage, click here.
