Dallas Cowboys vs Detroit Lions
This was a back and forth contest, with the outcome uncertain until the final two minutes. The Cowboys outgained Detroit 509 yards to 312 and edged the Lions in first downs 26-19 along with time of possession 30:54 to 29:06. Detroit converted 100% of their red zone attempts, compared to just 60% for Dallas, and won the turnover battle 1-0. However, the passing attack for Dallas ended up being the difference in the 35-27 Cowboy victory. Here’s what I saw.
Dallas Cowboys
Quarterbacks
- Dak Prescott: 29/46, 444 yards, 3 TDs, 1 sack, 10 yards lost | 6 carries, 18 yards
Dak Prescott should have brought an interior decorator to the game this week as he felt right at home in the pocket against Detroit’s non-existent pass rush. Prescott attempted 46 passes in this game and only suffered one sack. I don’t have the numbers, but I’d wager he was only hit a handful of times otherwise. As a result, Prescott picked apart the Lions’ secondary for his second-best yardage day of the season. Throughout the game, the announcing team made mention of how this is now “Dak’s team” and it showed today. Prescott only had a few errant passes and was on point most of the game. Prescott attacked all levels of the field and even utilized his legs on a couple of key runs during the game. Prescott found the most success when Dallas utilized the play-action aspect of their playbook, certainly something the team will continue to do as Dallas continues its playoff push. Prescott is playing like a top-five QB option right now, but his schedule doesn’t do him any favors as he is facing four tough defenses in a row (New England, Buffalo, Chicago, Rams). Prescott should return low-end QB1 numbers nonetheless given how much the coaching staff trusts him right now.
Running Backs
- Ezekiel Elliott: 16 carries, 45 yards, 1 TD | 3 targets, 2 receptions, 28 yards, 1 TD
- Tony Pollard: 2 carries, 12 yards | 4 targets, 4 receptions, 44 yards, 1 TD
Ezekiel Elliott started the day putting the ball on the ground as DE Trey Flowers laid a big hit and LB Jarrad Davis yanked the ball loose on Elliot’s first carry of the game. Elliott would see just 15 more carries on the day as Prescott and the passing offense was in firm control of the game. Elliott ended up with a good fantasy outing thanks to two TDs, but his lack of involvement has to be a little concerning as does his second consecutive game of fewer than 50 rushing yards. Elliott got a short one-yard TD plunge after being ruled down just short of the end zone on the previous play. Elliott then provided the ultimate game-winning score in the fourth quarter as Prescott found him in the right flat when Detroit blitzed. Elliott made an incredible grab then doubled-down with an amazing display of balance and athleticism as he managed to prevent the ball from hitting the ground and using his off-hand to stay upright and spin upfield, waltzing into the end zone untouched. Elliott remains an RB1, but a return to his workhorse role would be a welcome sight as we near the fantasy playoffs. Oh, and his “Dak Dance” was the highlight of the game. You need to see it if you haven’t yet. You’re welcome.
Tony Pollard was much more involved this week, even getting Dallas’s third drive all to himself, which ultimately ended in his TD. Pollard found himself wide open on a left-to-right crossing route then made a nice open-field move to avoid the tackle of S Tracy Walker and finish in the end zone along the right sideline. Pollard is strictly an Elliott handcuff right now as he generally doesn’t see enough action to be trusted as a fantasy starter. With just one more week of BYEs to navigate, unless injuries have decimated your roster, Pollard is a bench luxury barring Elliott missing time.
Wide Receivers / Tight Ends
- Amari Cooper: 8 targets, 3 receptions, 38 yards
- Randall Cobb: 7 targets, 4 receptions, 115 yards, 1 TD
- Michael Gallup: 13 targets, 9 receptions, 148 yards
- Jason Witten: 7 targets, 5 receptions, 33 yards
- Blake Jarwin: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 38 yards
Amari Cooper found himself in and out of the lineup throughout the game as he was nursing a minor knee injury. Cooper was generally shadowed by Detroit’s top CB, Darius Slay, and the results indicate that. One of Cooper’s receptions came at the expense of Slay with Dallas nursing a six-point lead. Cooper ran a curl along the right sideline and Slay easily jumped the route. Somehow, the ball found its way through Slay’s hands and into Cooper’s for an important first down. Had Slay make that interception, it would almost certainly have been a pick-six. Monitor health reports on Cooper throughout the week, but assuming a full bull of health Cooper should remain a high-end WR2 with WR1 upside as Prescott’s most-trusted target.
Michael Gallup was the primary beneficiary of Cooper’s absences as he paced the team in targets, his third game with double-digits. Gallup was unable to find the end zone but did set a season-high in yardage in the game. Gallup frequently beat his defender with sharp cuts and precise routes. Gallup even got the best of Slay on a couple of his receptions. Gallup is best trusted as a high-end WR3 with WR2 upside, but if Cooper’s injury is more serious than anticipated, Gallup becomes a solid WR2.
Randall Cobb had an auspicious start to his day, dropping an easy pass that would have resulted in a first down but rebounded nicely on the following play for a 26-yard reception down the middle of the field. Cobb made his living deep down the field and Prescott had no trouble finding him. On Cobb’s TD, he ran a nice post route to the middle of the field and absorbed a nasty-looking helmet-to-helmet hit while hanging onto the ball. Fortunately, Cobb showed no ill effects following the big hit and finished the game. Much like Gallup above, Cobb is best treated as a WR4 with upside but might slot in as a WR3 if Cooper is forced to miss time.
Jason Witten and Blake Jarwin continue to cannibalize each other’s fantasy outputs although Witten is seeing more offensive snaps. Neither is a downfield threat and Prescott has shown a propensity to attack the deep part of the field lately, making both unattractive fantasy options. Witten lands as not much more than a low-end TE2 and Jarwin is mainly a non-factor.
Detroit Lions
Quarterbacks
- Jeff Driskel: 15/26, 209 yards, 2 TDs, 3 sacks, 18 yards lost | 8 carries, 51 yards, 1 TD
Jeff Driskel saw his second start for Detroit, and recent reports indicate he may finish out the season as Matthew Stafford’s injury typically has a six-week timetable for recovery. Driskel is an athletic quarterback who brings more of a running element to the QB position than Stafford does. Driskel possesses an above-average arm, but Detroit’s offensive line has rarely given him enough time to challenge defenses deep.
Driskel was efficient in this game, settling for short, safe throws and relying on the running game to keep the defense honest. Driskel utilized the zone-read very well, keeping the ball as the DE crashed down on the RB on his two-yard TD run. Driskel also connected with Marvin Jones twice for TDs, the first after Driskel escaped pressure, scrambled right and found Jones in the back of the end zone. On the second, Driskel threw a dart to Jones deep down the middle and Jones avoided a couple of tackles to secure the TD.
Driskel is a backup NFL QB for a reason, and he provides much the same value in fantasy leagues. Driskel might provide low-end QB2 numbers in leagues that allow for two starting QBs but otherwise is best left on the bench as emergency depth.
Running Backs
- Bo Scarbrough: 14 carries, 55 yards, 1 TD
- Ty Johnson: 2 carries, 6 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, 0 yards
- J.D. McKissic: 3 carries, 13 yards | 4 targets, 3 receptions, 40 yards
Another week, another Detroit RB getting the start after being signed from the practice squad during the week. This time, former Alabama RB Bo Scarbrough got the call for his first NFL start and looked good early. Following Elliott’s fumble, Scarbrough accounted for the final 10 yards that resulted in Detroit’s first TD of the day. On that play, Scarbrough ran through an attempted ankle tackle by DeMarcus Lawrence and got low to avoid another defender for the TD. Scarbrough nearly had another TD later as he burst through a huge hole off the left side for a 23-yard gain that led to Driskel’s rushing TD. Scarbrough powered through defenders and finished runs with authority, but doesn’t provide much in the way of elusiveness or factor in the passing game. If he remains the starting RB for Detroit, he’s worth adding in fantasy leagues but is best viewed as a low-end FLEX option due to his role in the offense and the absence of Stafford.
J.D. McKissic spelled Scarbrough throughout the game and was the primary RB on most of Detroit’s passing plays. McKissic is almost the exact opposite of Scarbrough as he is shifty and elusive utilized best in space. McKissic had several plays where he willed himself forward either for a first down or extra yardage. He is an excellent receiving RB but doesn’t see enough volume to be fantasy-relevant. McKissic is no better than an RB4 with a little more upside in full-PPR leagues but is best served as emergency depth.
Ty Johnson only saw a handful of snaps and has seemingly been surpassed on the depth chart by anyone who can carry the football. He’s safely a non-factor for fantasy owners.
Wide Receivers / Tight Ends
- Kenny Golladay: 5 targets, 1 reception, 34 yards
- Marvin Jones: 5 targets, 4 receptions, 43 yards, 2 TDs | 1 carry, -4 yards
- Danny Amendola: 5 targets, 4 receptions, 47 yards
- T.J. Hockenson: 2 targets, 1 reception, 6 yards
- Marvin Hall: 1 target, 1 reception, 39 yards
It was a rough day for owners of Kenny Golladay as he was nearly shut out of the boxscore. Golladay only secured one throw, but it was a great catch as it appeared headed for an INT from Driskel. Golladay elevated in front of Darian Thompson and held on to the ball as Thompson pulled Golladay down by his facemask. Despite the poor outing, Golladay still tied for the team lead in targets, so he has not become useless with the switch to Driskel. Golladay isn’t an every-week WR2 with upside anymore, but he still retains high-end WR3 value with WR2 upside.
As has seemingly been the case this season, when Golladay has a subpar game, Marvin Jones excels. Jones secured 80% of his attempts and converted two of them into TDs. The first, as mentioned above, resulted from Driskel making a play with his legs before finding Jones in the back of the end zone. The second TD was the culmination of an excellent route by Jones, a good throw from Driskel and then elusiveness and determination from Jones to finish the play. Jones could have had a better day, but a nice 28-yard reception was nullified by a holding penalty just before halftime. Like Golladay, Jones has low-end WR3 value with WR2 upside for fantasy owners.
Danny Amendola remains the short and intermediate safety valve for Detroit and has thrived in that role. Amendola’s fantasy value comes purely from volume and has more appeal in full-PPR leagues as he’s managed to find the end zone just one time on the season, Amendola is best viewed as a low-end WR4 with WR3 upside in PPR leagues.
Marvin Hall had his typical game, catching a long bomb and nothing else. His speed is enticing and might be a deep dynasty stash, but his season-long prospects are minimal.
T.J. Hockenson continues his less-than-stellar trajectory. Hockenson was once again M.I.A. in this game and, despite the measurables, is a prime candidate for cutting bait to stash someone with more upside. The broadcasters even mentioned how the coaching staff is saying he needs to show the improvement expected of him by this point in the season. Look elsewhere for your TE unless you’re a glutton for punishment.
–Bryan Sweet