What We Saw: Week 8

The What We Saw Team recaps all of the Sunday action from Week 8 of the 2023 NFL season

Ben Brown
What We Saw A Year Ago
Series Navigation
Introduction
Buccaneers @ Bills
Texans @ Panthers
Rams @ Cowboys
Vikings @ Packers
Saints @ Colts
Patriots @ Dolphins
Jets @ Giants
Jaguars @ Steelers
Falcons @ Titans
Eagles @ Commanders
Browns @ Seahawks
Ravens @ Cardinals
Chiefs @ Broncos
Bengals @ 49ers
Bears @ Chargers

Los Angeles Rams @ Dallas Cowboys

Final Score: Dallas 43, Los Angeles 20

Writer: Michael James (@MikeoftheFF on Twitter)

 

The Los Angeles Rams came into AT&T Stadium to face the Dallas Cowboys and looked to avenge their 22-10 loss last season which featured a strong D/ST performance from Dallas.  This time around it’s the same story, different day as Dallas opens with a pick-6 and a punt block for a safety in the first half.  Two minutes into the second quarter, Dallas is up by 23 points.  The Cowboys would not be without their own troubles starting on offense as they would get sacked on two of their first three plays of the game (would have been three if not for a penalty!).   Rams would also debut their new K Lucas Havrisik, recently acquired off the Browns’ practice squad after they left seven points on the field from missed kicks last week.  He would finish the day 2 for 2 on field goals.

Matthew Stafford would enter the locker room hurt with his team down 33-9.  He would come out in the second half to give it one more try but would exit the game for good after that drive concluded with a touchdown.  The Cowboys would proceed to put another 10 points on the board and the starters would then slowly start to filter out for the backups to get some reps and the game ended with Dallas beating Los Angeles by 23 points.

 

 

 

Three Up

  • CeeDee Lamb – Call this man Visa because he was everywhere Dak wanted him to be.  What pairs better with 150 yards on the day than 2 touchdowns?
  • Dak Prescott – Over 300 yards passing and 4 touchdowns in just over three-quarters of work on the day
  • Dallas D/ST – This unit celebrated DE DeMarcus Ware’s Ring of Honor ceremony today by channeling his energy from back in the day, racking up a pick-6, block, safety, and two sacks

Three Down

  • Cooper Kupp – Back-to-back off-games for the Rams’ #1 WR.  The targets were there but unfortunately so was the coverage
  • Puka Nacua – Coming off a highlight game last week, only able to manage 3 receptions for 43 yards
  • Tony Pollard – It is a little harsh to include someone with a 4.4 YPC, but he just continues to not produce close to his draft spot this year

 

 

Rams

 

Quarterback

Dallas came in with a game plan to get to the quarterback and create hurries.  This worked with 12 QB pressures by halftime alone including a sack on third and short to end the drive in what would become a blocked punt for a safety, putting them even further behind in score.  The Rams would fail to get four drives going that would end in three-and-out punts.  Overall the offense would go for a meager 30% conversion rate on third down today.

Injury Note:  Stafford injured his throwing-hand thumb on a play early in the game and would get it taped up and resumed playing.  Later he would get the thumb jammed into the defender’s face mask on a failed 2pt conversion and came grimacing in severe pain.  After receiving a heavy tape job, he would come back after halftime to lead Los Angeles to their second touchdown, but McVay said the thumb was re-injured again on the successful 2pt conversion dive into the end zone.  He would be relieved by Rypien and would attempt multiple tape jobs and try to take some practice snaps but would ultimately sit the rest of the game out.  McVay said after the game he is not going to speculate until he gets more reports from doctors so keep a close eye on Monday.

 

 

Matthew Stafford: 13/22 for 162 with 1 Touchdown and 1 Interception, 1 carry for 9 yards, 2pt conversion

 

Notes

  • Broadcast notes he is making poor read decisions, likely resulting from high pressure from the defensive front
  • Avoided a strip-sack by Micah Parsons with a “by-definition” interpretation of the rules resulting in an incomplete pass instead
  • 1 for 4 on the deep ball
  • Caught a pass from Atwell on a 2pt conversion that was a reverse from Nacua

Missed Opportunities

  • The interception was a choice route by Kupp, the broadcast went over the breakdown of how the play works and decided that Kupp had run it correctly and Stafford threw it to the incorrect location misreading the coverage
  • Stafford pulls ahead of Marino on the all-time pick-six list for second place.  Only Favre has more.

 

 

Brett Rypien: 5/10 for 42 yards

 

The nephew of Super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien enters the game for Stafford and would play the rest of the game as the Rams’ QB.

It is noticeable the lack of sync that Stafford has with his receivers is on display as some balls are being thrown nowhere near a receiver from route miscommunications.  That did not stop him from targeting Kupp on 5 of his 10 attempts.

 

Running Back

This week Henderson gets the start again.  A continuation of a near-even split on carries but a noticeable separation on passing targets.  They are interchanging the running backs more frequently on drives this week compared to last week after the first few drives.  They did not abandon the run early, coming out with 3 rushing plays for Henderson to start the second half despite being down by multiple scores.

 

Darrell Henderson Jr: 12 carries for 31 yards, 3 receptions on 3 targets for 54 yards

Notes

  • Got the start and took the first play of the  first drive up the middle for five yards and followed that up on the next play with a screen pass for 12 yards
  • Breaks out a short screen pass for a 32-yard catch and run down the field
  • Led the team in receiving yards
  • Converting 3 first downs including a red zone carry that set up first and goal at the one

Missed Opportunities

  • Was immediately rotated out for Freeman on the first and goal attempt which resulted in a rushing touchdown

 

Royce Freeman: 9 carries for 44 yards and 1 Touchdown

Notes

  • Was the more efficient back on the day, nearly doubling Henderson’s YPC
  • Got the one-yard touchdown carry
  • One attempt behind the left tackle, one outside sideline run (biggest gain), the other seven carries went right up the middle including a touchdown

Missed Opportunities

  • Despite being sent in motion multiple times, fails to garner a single target in the passing game

 

 

Wide Receiver/Tight End

The broadcast mentioned talking to Cowboys DC Quinn right before the game, the game plan for the day was to keep a safety over Kupp for the double team and use press man-coverage on Nacua.  Combined with the onslaught of the Cowboys’ pass rush, this severely limited the big play potential for the passing game with the longest gain of the day coming off a catch-and-run screen pass to a running back in addition to the most reception yards going to a running back.

While Stafford had a nice target spread between receivers, Rypien had a clear favorite with half of his passing attempts going to Kupp

Cooper Kupp: 4 receptions on 10 targets  for 21 yards

 

Notes

  • Now on a two-game streak of failing to eclipse 30 yards receiving
  • Double covered for most of the game plus pockets evaporating very quickly leads to a poor target selection and well-defended pass attempts

Missed Opportunities

  • Red zone target with a path to the end zone.  The replay showed Kupp was held but no flag was thrown
  • The intended target of the interception
  • Breaks free down the sideline but is overthrown by Rypien
  • Targeted on 4th and short but the ball is thrown to a different spot than where Kupp ran his route to

 

Puka Nacua: 3 receptions on 7 targets for 43 yards

 

Notes

  • Converts a 3rd and long in stride for a 22-yard catch and run across the middle
  • Converted a 4th and short
  • Hard fought short catch and run through defenders for 13 yards on a screen from Rypien

Missed Opportunities

  • Had a 20-yard diving reception that was ruled incomplete.  The replay showed a valid catch but McVay opted not to challenge it
  • 14-yard reception negated by holding penalty
  • Dropped a fade target to the corner of the end zone

 

Tyler Higbee: 5 receptions on 7 targets for 45 yards

 

Notes

  • Led the Rams in receptions
  • First catch of the day his longest over the middle in stride for 20 yards
  • Got open for a 13-yard catch
  • 2 flat routes (one on each side) and 5 downfield routes (zero crossing)

Missed Opportunities

  • Broke open down the sidelines but Rypien underthrew the would-be 20+ yard catch

 

Tutu Atwell: 2 receptions on 4 targets for 21 yards, 2 carries for 8 yards

 

Notes

  • Had a nice juke on a flip reverse to evade a massive tackle for loss, was brought down at the line of scrimmage
  • Converted a third and long with a deep ball for 20 yards
  • Involved in the running game with a jet sweep for 8 yards
  • Threw the 2pt conversion pass to Stafford in front of the end zone (almost underthrown, big athletic play by Stafford)

 

Ben Skowronek: 1 reception on 1 target for 20 yards and 1 Touchdown

 

The Rams drew up a nifty play overloading all four receivers to one side which resulted in Stafford finding him 20 yards on a crossing route into the end zone for the touchdown

 

Cowboys

 

Quarterback

Dak was relieved by Rush once the outcome of the game was nearly certain in the fourth quarter.  No injury concerns here.

 

Dak Prescott: 25/31 304 yards with 4 Touchdowns and 1 Interception, 4 carries for 19 yards

Dallas got all of their allowed sacks out of their system in the first quarter.  An interesting note is that Aaron Donald had two of them, his first multi-sack game since the last time he played the Cowboys last season.  Here is something worth monitoring for Cowboys players on offense for next week.  Dallas was starting their backup LT already who left the game in the second half with an injury and the Cowboys found themselves down to their rookie third string.  It is worth mentioning Dallas plays Philadelphia next week.  Keep an eye out for any injury news regarding the availability starting LT Tyron Smith next week.

While every receiver had their longest reception of more than 10 yards, only one of them would go beyond 20 yards (Lamb).  68% of his completions went for under 10 yards putting on display the “Texas Coast” (hard not to say ‘Toast’) offense McCarthy had in mind this offseason.

Notes

  • Took a drive of getting sacked multiple times, but after that, Prescott was more aware in the pocket stepping up to avoid the outside pressure and scrambling out to avoid the sack.
  • Converted two third downs with scrambles
  • Has a 40-point passer rating difference when throwing to Lamb vs. throwing to anyone else.  Good for the second-best QB-WR connection in the league this season.
  • Impressive scramble to bait the Rams’ safety into disengaging to pursue him letting Lamb go free in the end zone for the touchdown
  • 3 for 5 on the deep ball
  • 8 of his 31 attempts went beyond 15 yards, 4 of them were for touchdowns
  • 17 of his 25 completions were for less than 10 yards.

Missed Opportunities

  • Had a red zone pass tipped at the line of scrimmage becoming a wobbling jump ball that the Rams picked off

 

 

Cooper Rush: 2/3 for 3 yards, 3 carries for -3 yards

 

 

Running Back

Complete imbalance of work to start the game to the detriment of Pollard.  After Prescott’s second sack, Dak attempted 9 passes in a row before Pollard got his third rushing attempt.  Dallas would convert a high 5 of 6 third down attempts, none of them with Pollard.  In fact, entering halftime Prescott would have 21 passing attempts, while Pollard would only have 6 carries.  I must admit I am a bit surprised to not see Pollard get more work in a game that featured a score that got out of hand so fast.  My best estimation is that they didn’t like the results Pollard was initially getting from the defense and Prescott seemed to have the hot hand with 17 completions.

 

Tony Pollard: 12 carries for 53 yards, 1 reception on 1 target for 2 yards

Notes

  • Opens the game with back-to-back carries, his only touches on a 10-play scoring drive for a touchdown
  • With the Cowboys up 16 in the second half, Dallas would go on a staggering 10-minute 17-play drive that would feature… Prescott handled the ball another 10 times.
  • Pollard would only get six carries on the aforementioned drive which still doubled his work from the first half.
  • The broadcast discussed how Pollard is getting significantly more touches but significantly less explosiveness compared to last season.  They speculate this is due to a lack of a complimentary back to set up big plays for him like they had last season.
  • Longest carry of the day came on a pitch out into open space on the side

Missed Opportunities

  • Averaged 2.8 YPC at halftime with nearly all of his contact coming at or behind the line of scrimmage
  • Suffering from success:  Pollard’s last touch of the game would come with three minutes left in the third quarter.  He would spend the remainder of the game resting on the bench
  • Exciting to see the potential when he gets motioned out as a receiver but nothing would come of it today
  • Bobbled a screen pass in the red zone that could have had potential in open space but the bobbling allowed time for the defenders to close the gap preventing anything

 

Rico Dowdle: 5 carries for 18 yards, 2 receptions on 2 targets for 7 yards, 1 return for 8 yards

The majority of his work came after starters were being rotated out in the fourth quarter

 

 

Wide Receiver/Tight End

 

 

CeeDee Lamb: 12 receptions on 14 targets for 158 yards and 2 Touchdowns, 1 carry for 12 yards

Notes

  • Fifth career game with double-digit catches, sixth multi-TD game of his career, and has now started a 100+ receiving-yard streak
  • The game plan was to get him involved early as he had 3 receptions on the first drive, 2 touches on the second, and caught a touchdown on the third drive
  • Caught at least one pass in every single drive Prescott was the QB for
  • 8 receptions were for double-digit yards
  • 2 for 3 on deep ball receptions
  • Involved in the running game with a jet sweep for 12 yards
  • 5 targets from routes outside, 9 from the slot

Missed Opportunities

  • Two of them, he caught the other 12 receptions.

 

Jake Ferguson: 4 receptions on 4 targets for 47 yards and 1 Touchdown

 

Notes

  • Another TE touchdown in a game covered by Greg Olsen on the broadcast, the streak continues
  • Three of his four receptions were for double-digit air yards including the 19-yard touchdown in double coverage

 

Brandin Cooks: 3 receptions on 4 targets for 49 yards 1 Touchdown, 1 carry for 3 yards

 

Notes

  • Third game in a row with a touchdown
  • Uses speed to beat man on come-back route for a 19-yard third-down conversion
  • Involved in the running game with an around attempt inside the red zone
  • Converts a 4th down on a 5-yard crossing route in traffic
  • Beats his man down the sideline for a 25-yard go-route touchdown reception

Missed Opportunities

  • Deep ball on a post route that was well-defended

 

Michael Gallup: 2 receptions on 3 targets for 20 yards

Notes

  • Had a nice break out of his route to shake the defender and make a 360 spin toe-tap sideline catch
  • Still hasn’t found the end zone this season
  • Broke the streak of 5+ targets in every game
  • Failed to go over 25 yards in three straight now

 

KaVontae Turpin: 1 reception on 2 targets for 13 yards, 4 returns for 88 yards

Notes

  • Massive 63-yard kick return to set the Cowboys up in the red zone
  • Beat his man downfield in the fourth quarter but Rush underthrew him deep down the sideline

Missed Opportunities

  • Prescott’s hard count was TOO good, which caused Turpin to flinch for the false start
  • Punt return 87 yards for a touchdown, negated by a holding penalty when an overzealous special teams player tackled the gunner

 

Series Navigation
Introduction
Buccaneers @ Bills
Texans @ Panthers
Rams @ Cowboys
Vikings @ Packers
Saints @ Colts
Patriots @ Dolphins
Jets @ Giants
Jaguars @ Steelers
Falcons @ Titans
Eagles @ Commanders
Browns @ Seahawks
Ravens @ Cardinals
Chiefs @ Broncos
Bengals @ 49ers
Bears @ Chargers

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