Dallas Cowboys vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: Full Report Card Grades for Dallas
The Dallas Cowboys (7-3) put together a total team effort as they dominated the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-9) 31-17 in London. The Cowboys looked like the team from the first seven games and less like the team from the last two.
Dez Bryant bounced back from two subpar performances and dominated the Jaguars cornerbacks for the majority of the game. The Cowboys need Bryant to continue to play like this for the stretch run after the bye week.
The Cowboys offense put in a dominating performance against the Jaguars as well. Now that its players are healthy look for the offensive line to continue to win the line-of-scrimmage battles as it did the first seven weeks.
The Cowboys defense also put together a stellar 60 minutes, as it didn't allow Blake Bortles or Denard Robinson to get anything going throughout the game.
Anthony Hitchens played an incredible game and looks like he may be a steal for the Cowboys in the fourth round.
Henry Melton continued his amazing play, as he was constantly providing interior pressure for the Cowboys. Melton has been one of the most active 3-technique defensive tackles in the NFL during the last three games.
The Cowboys now look forward to their bye week so they can rest their injuries and get ready for the stretch run.
Let’s take a look at how each position graded out in this Week 10 matchup.
Quarterback
1 of 10
It was not a coincidence that when Tony Romo returned the Cowboys offense put together one of its most efficient performances.
Romo had a couple throws where his back looked like it hampered him, but for the large majority of his throws he looked like his usual self.
The savvy veteran went 20-of-27 for 246 yards and three touchdowns in a masterful performance.
Romo did a great job of changing his release point on his throws to complete a variety of passes. Regardless of the numbers that DeMarco Murray puts up, Romo is the most valuable player on the Cowboys.
Romo will now get a week to rest and prepare for the Cowboys' stretch run in an attempt to make the playoffs.
Grade: A
Running Back
2 of 10
After an average performance against the Arizona Cardinals, the Cowboys ran the ball effectively against the Jaguars. They broke a great deal of tackles and made some smart cuts to get the most out of each run.
DeMarco Murray did an admirable job of fighting for the little yards and exploding through holes for the big ones. He was physical and ran with a purpose throughout the game. Murray finished the day with 100 yards on 19 carries.
Joseph Randle also got some extended action Sunday, where he looked like a very capable back. He hits the running lanes extremely well and has the great lateral agility that Murray doesn't have. He finished with 56 yards on seven carries for an efficient day.
The Cowboys will need to rely on their running game more and more as the weather gets worse throughout the year. If they get a performance like they did today, they will be just fine.
Grade: A
Wide Receiver and Tight End
3 of 10
Dez Bryant is a monster, and he proved it against the Jaguars. He got yards after the catch and showcased his physical running style. The Jaguars had no answer for Bryant, and the Cowboys took advantage of it as Bryant's two touchdowns blew the game open. He finished with six catches for 158 yards and two touchdowns.
Jason Witten had a touchdown reception but was quiet as a receiver besides that. However, Witten was once again a great blocker in the run game. He got movement on his guy and created cutback lanes for the running backs.
Cole Beasley had the only costly play of the offense when he fumbled late in the second quarter.
Instead of spreading the ball, the Cowboys got the ball in their best playmaker's hands, and it worked like a charm. Dallas will continue to need big performances from Bryant as the season progresses.
Grade: A-
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Offensive Line
4 of 10
With Doug Free and Ronald Leary back in the lineup, the Cowboys offensive line returned to its dominant ways.
It controlled the line of scrimmage throughout the game and did not allow pressure on Tony Romo.
Zack Martin continues to have an incredible season, as he was the best lineman for the Cowboys. He did a great job no matter what his blocking assignment was. It is not customary for a lineman to win postseason awards, but Zack Martin is worthy of the Offensive Rookie of the Year award and maybe even an All-Pro nomination.
Tyron Smith also had a solid performance as he protected Romo's blind side throughout the game. Smith can be an elite offensive tackle, and the Cowboys will need him to return to that form against the plethora of pass-rushers they will face the rest of the season.
Grade: A
Defensive Line
5 of 10
The Cowboys defensive line played one of its best games of the season against the Jaguars. It controlled the line of scrimmage against the run and generated quite a bit of pressure against the pass.
It didn't put in a dominant performance like you see other teams put together, but for the Cowboys it was very good.
Henry Melton continues to be an impactful and disruptive defensive tackle for the Cowboys. He penetrated his gap and got into the backfield.
Anthony Spencer got exploited on his upfield penetration on Denard Robinson's first touchdown, but after that he played a solid all-around game.
The Cowboys need their defensive line to perform at this level every game for the rest of the season so they can put together a late-season run.
Grade: B+
Linebacker
6 of 10
With their leader in Rolando McClain out, the Cowboys linebackers did a phenomenal job in his absence. As a group, the players rallied to the ball while also putting together an adequate performance in coverage.
Anthony Hitchens had another great game as he flew to the ball and made several big plays. Hitchens is surprisingly athletic as he flows to the ball.
Bruce Carter made the most of his opportunities, as he came away with seven tackles, one for a loss and an interception. Carter held the edge very well and he did a good job of dropping into coverage.
Overall, the Cowboys linebackers put together one of their best collective performances of the year, and they did it without their best player.
Grade: A
Secondary
7 of 10
Orlando Scandrick once again put in a solid performance for the Cowboys defense. He blanketed the Jaguars receivers and shut down whomever he was covering for the most part. Scandrick is proving to be one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL this season.
Sterling Moore was the cornerback who was targeted most, but he didn't get scorched by any means. If Moore is the weakest Cowboys cornerback, then they are doing just fine.
Barry Church did a good job on a few blitzes and didn't get beat deep, which is the most important thing against a team like the Jaguars.
The Cowboys secondary has played above anyone's expectations this year, and there is no indication that it will stop anytime soon.
Grade: A-
Special Teams
8 of 10
The Cowboys did some great things on special teams but they also had their struggles.
Dan Bailey nailed a 54-yard field goal, but his next one was blocked because of a breakdown in the protection.
This was the second week in a row that one of Bailey's field-goal attempts was blocked, and that is a troubling sign Dallas must fix during the bye week.
C.J. Spillman was able to recover the muffed punt from Ace Sanders.
The Cowboys need their special teams to play as well as they can, because if they don't it may cost them in a crucial game.
Grade: B-
Coaching
9 of 10
It is nearly impossible to nitpick coaching in a 31-17 win in another country. Head coach Jason Garrett kept his team grounded and didn't allow it to look past the Jaguars.
Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli called a smart game with a perfect mixture of blitzes and coverages. Marinelli has been great for the Cowboys all year, and he continues to be one of the best defensive coordinators in the league.
After two weeks where he was outcoached, play-caller Scott Linehan successfully mixed up the pass and run as the Cowboys put up 31 points against the Jaguars.
Grade: A
Final Grades
10 of 10
| Positional Unit | Overall Grade |
| QB | A |
| RB | A |
| WR | A- |
| OL | A |
| DL | B+ |
| LB | A |
| Secondary | A- |
| Special Teams | B- |
| Coaching | A |
| Cumulative Grade | A- |
Even though it was against a below-average team, the Cowboys put together a great team win as evidenced by their cumulative grade. Tony Romo, Dez Bryant and Zack Martin were the best players for the offense, as they all were very productive throughout the game. Anthony Hitchens and Orlando Scandrick were the standouts for the defense as they carried their assignments well.
The Cowboys now head into their bye week, where they will get ready for the stretch run and a game against the New York Giants on November 23.
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