The Dallas Cowboys were bullied by the Carolina Panthers in a loss that many didn’t expect. The run defense was exposed, and the rushing offense was shut down for the first time all year.
The 30-27 loss halted some momentum after Dallas tied the Green Bay Packers and defeated the New York Jets. At the same time, the division-leading Philadelphia Eagles have lost two straight, and the Washington Commanders lost on a last-second field goal to the Chicago Bears, so the division remains wide open. Not everything that happened in a loss is negative. The Cowboys did some things they should take forward to get back to winning against their division rival, the Commanders.
Continue to get the ball to George Pickens
It’s one thing to give a couple of targets to George Pickens and hit a big play a game, but targeting him double-digit times is the way to go. He caught nine of his 11 targets for 168 yards, a touchdown, and six first downs. It was the type of game a true top receiver would accumulate multiple weeks a season.
He has 13 receptions on third and fourth down for 211 yards. Each reception has gone for a first down, and he has the second most yards receiving on those key downs. Force feed him the ball, especially if CeeDee Lamb is out again.
Continue to win the turnover battle
Typically, winning the turnover battle correlates well with winning the game itself. Dallas has won the turnover battle in the last three contests, and even though their record is only 1-1-1, the way the team is playing offensively, winning the turnover battle could be how the offense overcomes a poor defensive performance for a victory. The way Dak Prescott is playing, one extra possession could be the difference
Keep getting healthy
Dallas saw the return of the left side of their offensive line, Tyler Guyton and Tyler Smith, against the Panthers, and it appears CeeDee Lamb, KaVontae Turpin, Tyler Booker, & Jack Sanborn will all be back against Washington.
The Cowboys are in a hole record-wise, and they could use all hands on deck to try to defeat the Commanders, the Denver Broncos, and the Arizona Cardinals to build a stronger record heading into the bye week.
You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or on YouTube at Across the Cowboys podcast
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: 3 positive trends Cowboys must continue vs Commanders to win in Week 7
Reporting by Mike Crum, Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
