Second-half surges keep Cowboys' playoff hopes alive

Dec 12, 2017 - 3:57 AM FRISCO, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys are riding a two-game win streak and have renewed playoff hopes because they suddenly changed their fortunes in the second half.

In 38-14 and 30-10 wins over the Washington Redskins and New York Giants, respectively, the last two weeks, the Cowboys have taken over the game in the second half, outscoring both opponents by a combined score of 41-7.

It's a complete reversal from the funk of the three previous weeks that featured three blowout losses in which they were outscored 72-6 in the second half of the games against the Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Chargers.

Head coach Jason Garrett said it was partly a matter of the offense finally getting used to playing without suspended running back Ezekiel Elliott. The losses were the first three games of his suspension.

It was also a matter of some of the younger players being able to deal with setbacks better.

"I think more than anything else it's being able to handle the adversities of the game better," Garrett said. "During that stretch we were at a good position at halftime in each of those games and something happened in the second half or maybe we had some younger players playing and they let one bad thing turn into a number of bad things. We just didn't do a good enough job of putting that last play behind us and just going to the next play.

"I thought the last couple of weeks we've done a much better job of that. Teams will make plays in a game, they'll have some success. You've just got to keep playing. I think our guys have done a good job of that the last couple of weeks.

"It's more about just a focus and just locking in on what you're supposed to do each play and putting the last one behind you. If you score a touchdown or you throw an interception or they make a big play or we make a big sack, somehow, someway you've got to put the last one behind you and get locked in on what you need to do now. That's always been a big point of emphasis for us. I think we're doing a better job of that the last couple of weeks."

The running game has been much better and more of a factor the past two weeks. The Cowboys rushed 42 times for 182 yards against the Redskins and had 31 carries for 122 yards against the Giants.

It has allowed quarterback Dak Prescott to be more patient and efficient after forcing some things during the three-game losing funk when he tossed five interceptions and had three fumbles.

He has tossed five touchdown passes the past two weeks, including three after halftime.

Prescott had a career-high 332 yards passing against the Giants.

"He's a really mentally tough guy and that's probably line one with him is his poise, his composure, his mental toughness to handle the positives and the negatives that come with that position," Garrett said. "And he does such a good job fighting his way through adversity from week to week or within a ballgame. A big part of that is learning from the experiences.

"Again, I just thought he played with really good poise and composure yesterday. He was calm. He made great decisions throughout. But it's one thing to say, I'm going to check the ball down. When the opportunity presents itself, you've got to be ready to make a play and he was able to do that throughout the game."



REPORT CARD VS. GIANTS

--PASSING OFFENSE: B -- It was frustrating early for Dak Prescott and the passing game, as the receivers had four dropped passes, including two by Dez Bryant. But Prescott ended with a career-high 332 passing yards and three touchdowns against an overmatched Giants defense. It was the case of the little plays turning into big plays that allowed Prescott to break out of a month-long funk and his receivers to blow the game open with passes of 50 yards to Dez Bryant, 54 to Cole Beasley and 81 yards to Rod Smith. Only Beasley's play didn't finish in the end zone, but it set up a 20-yard touchdown pass to Jason Witten. The Cowboys only had three passing plays of 50 yards or more in the first 12 games combined. The three plays of 50 yards or more were also the most by the Cowboys since at least 1994, per the Cowboys public relations staff.

--RUSHING OFFENSE: B -- The Cowboys rushed 31 times for 122 yards. Alfred Morris had 19 carries for 62 yards, averaging just 3.3 yards per carry. But he had a 37-yard run called back because of a hold on tight end Jason Witten. Rod Smith and his fresh legs proved to be the difference in the fourth quarter as he rushed six times for 47 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown run. The bigger Smith was the back the Cowboys used to close the game.

--PASS DEFENSE: B -- Eli Manning was undone by drops by his young receivers and was not sacked in the game. But the Cowboys pressured him throughout and the young secondary proved to be up to the task again, especially Chidobe Awuzie. He now has four pass deflections in two games. It was veterans Sean Lee and Jeff Heath who recorded interceptions in the game. Heath has a team-leading three picks and got one for the second straight week.

--RUSH DEFENSE: B -- The Redskins rushed 29 times for 102 yards in the game. Wayne Gallman rushed 12 times for 59 yards to lead the way. But linebacker Sean Lee made his presence felt in his first game back, leading the way with 18 tackles. Anthony Hitchens added 14 tackles and safety Jeff Heath had 10.

--SPECIAL TEAMS: D -- Dan Bailey missed two field goals and missed an extra point for the first time in his career. The winds in the Meadowlands are legendary for wreaking havoc on kickers. Chris Jones was excellent again on punts, averaging 47.5 yards on four attempts. Cole Beasley had a 15-yard punt return and Ryan Switzer had a 28-yard kickoff return.

--COACHING: A -- The Cowboys didn't panic when things didn't go well early against an overmatched, but motivated opponent. They stuck to the plan and eventually wore the Giants down. Give offensive coordinator Scott Linehan credit for finding ways to use running back Rod Smith. His young fresh legs in the fourth quarter made a difference.