The Cowboys secured another one-sided blowout victory against a New York team, even though this game presented some challenges. Their aggressive defense played a crucial role, and the offense made just enough key plays to maintain their lead. Here are some noteworthy moments that may not receive much attention but significantly impacted the final score:
The Cowboys made a somewhat questionable decision to receive the ball after winning the toss. To justify this choice, they needed to score a touchdown. Facing a third-and-6 from the Jets' 20-yard line, Dak Prescott scrambled for 15 yards to reach the Jets' 5. This impressive play set up Jake Ferguson's touchdown catch, giving the Cowboys an early 7-0 lead.
The Cowboys knew that stopping the run and making the Jets one-dimensional was crucial. DeMarcus Lawrence immediately set the tone by tackling Breece Hall for a 4-yard loss on the first play from scrimmage, disrupting the Jets' running game plans.
After the Jets scored a long touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson, Sauce Gardner had an opportunity to intercept a Prescott pass and potentially return it for a go-ahead touchdown. Unfortunately, Gardner dropped the interception. Instead, the Cowboys converted a crucial third-down play to KaVontae Turpin and eventually extended their lead to 17-7.
On the same scoring drive, the Jets' Brandin Echols was flagged for pass interference in the end zone, giving the Cowboys a first-and-goal opportunity from the 1-yard line. Prescott capitalized on this by throwing a touchdown pass to Luke Schoonmaker, followed by a successful two-point conversion, increasing the Cowboys' lead from 13-7 to 18-7.
The Jets started the second half facing significant defensive pressure, similar to their struggles in the first half. Micah Parsons forced Zach Wilson into a hurried throw on the first play, resulting in no gain. Breece Hall was then tackled for a 2-yard loss on the second play. These defensive stops, combined with a false start penalty, forced the Jets to punt, giving the Cowboys favorable field position and leading to another field goal.
Rookie kicker Brandon Aubrey's successful 55-yard field goal in the third quarter was a pivotal moment in the game. Instead of taking a more conservative approach, the Cowboys trusted Aubrey's ability, and he delivered. This decision not only boosted Aubrey's confidence but also gave the team a commanding 21-10 lead, changing the dynamics of the game.