Ranking Dallas Cowboys' Best Individual Performances Through 11 Weeks

It hasn't quite been the magical season Dallas Cowboys fans envisioned.

Heading into the 2017 campaign, Dallas had realistic Super Bowl aspirations, but a rash of injuries has removed some of the team's top talent. Sitting at 5-5, the Cowboys will likely need to win out if they have any hope of making the playoffs. 

While the team may not accomplish the goals they set in the offseason, there have been numerous impressive individual performances this season.

From Demarcus Lawrence's outstanding play to Ezekiel Elliott's impressive October, there have been a handful of memorable games by individual players this year.

Through 10 games, here are the best individual displays from the Dallas Cowboys this season. 

No. 1: Demarcus Lawrence vs. Arizona

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Only 10 players in Dallas Cowboys history have recorded three sacks in a single game, according to Pro Football Reference. That includes the likes of DeMarcus Ware, Charles Haley, Randy White and Ed "Too Tall" Jones. To make it onto this list is an impressive feat for any player.

In Week 3 of the 2017 season, Demarcus Lawrence added his name to the record books. In one of the most dominant performances of the season (outside of Adrian Clayborn vs. Chaz Green), he put on a show on Monday Night Football on ESPN against the Arizona Cardinals, helping the Cowboys improve to 2-1.

Lawrence beat Cardinals' right tackle Jared Veldheer all night, recording three sacks and drawing a holding call. He was able to use his power, speed and hand technique to overwhelm his opponent.

Lawrence was in the backfield throughout the entire game and was a big reason why the team was able to hold the Cardinals to 17 points on the road.  

This was the game that put Lawrence's name on the map as he became one of the most feared edge-rushers in the NFL. He currently has 11.5 sacks and is on his way for a massive payday this offseason.

At just 25, Lawrence is starting to hit his peak, and it's going to be hard for any player to top his epic display in Week 3.  

No. 2: Ezekiel Elliott vs. San Francisco

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In the history of the Dallas Cowboys, no player has recorded more than 210 total yards from scrimmage and scored three touchdowns.

Before Ezekiel Elliott did it this year versus the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7, the next closest was...Ezekiel Elliott in 2016 against Pittsburgh (209 total yards and three touchdowns). 

Elliott was on fire against the 49ers, rushing for 147 yards on 26 carries (5.65 yards per carry) and he caught one pass for 72 yards for a touchdown.  

The 49ers had no answer for him and the rest of the Cowboys' offense. Elliott was able to have success running wide zone, power, gap and any other type of runs the team asked of him. There was nothing San Francisco could do to contain him. 

When Elliott and Dak Prescott are on the field, Dallas can easily beat bad teams, even on the road. But without the running back, the Cowbpys' margin of error is much smaller.

This performance by Elliott was a great example of dominating a team like they were supposed to do. Nevertheless, it was one of the most historic games by a Cowboys' running back in the team's history. 

No. 3: Sean Lee vs. Kansas City

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The first two entries on this list were great statistical performances. In the case of Sean Lee versus the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 9, though, his display was more about his importance than the box score.

Lee finished the game with 12 tackles—the most of the season—but it's how those tackles were accumulated that puts this performance is so high up on the list. 

Heading into Week 9, the Chiefs had one of the best offenses in the NFL. Their misdirection and incredible team speed made them one of the more difficult offenses in the league to defend.

However, the Cowboys allowed just 17 points to the Chiefs, seven of which came on a Hail Mary to Tyreek Hill before halftime when Lee was not on the field. 

Lee was all over the field in Week 9, though. He had two tackles behind the line of scrimmage and two others that went for less than one yard.

His most impressive play came on a screen pass in which he lined up on the opposite side of the field to meet running back Kareem Hunt behind the line of scrimmage. If Lee didn't make the tackle, not only would the Chiefs man have gotten the first down, he might have scored.

It's those little plays that only go down as a tackle on the stat sheet that can make the difference between winning and losing games. 

No. 4: Dak Prescott vs. San Francisco

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Dak Prescott has struggled without Ezekiel Elliott and Tyron Smith over the past two games, but don't let that distract you from how magnificent he was early on in the season.

In Weeks 3-7, the quarterback had a passer rating of 113.7 and also contributed three touchdowns on the ground. He was on fire. 

His best game of the season came against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7. He threw just 25 passes, as he went on to complete 16 of them for 234 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 26 yards and a score, making it only the second time in his career that he's scored four or more touchdowns in a game, per Pro Football Reference. 

Prescott wasn't asked to do much in this game, but he was as efficient as they come. If the Cowboys want to have any chance of making the playoffs this season, they need this version of the 24-year-old to return instead of the one that we have seen over the last month. 

No. 5: David Irving vs. Green Bay

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In his first game back from a four-game suspension, David Irving did not disappoint as he went on to sack Aaron Rodgers twice in Week 5. 

Despite not being able to practice or participate in meetings during his four-game suspension, he came in ready to play. 

He's a true 4-3 left defensive end, but because of the success of Lawrence, he has made the transition inside to help out the team.

As a penetrating 3-technique, Irving used his size and quickness to dominate the Green Bay Packers' interior offensive line. Along with two sacks, he recorded three quarterback hits, two tackles for a loss and one pass deflection. He was the best defensive player on the field that day.  

When the Cowboys get this version of Irving, there are few defensive linemen in the game who are more impactful.

Unfortunately, Irving hasn't played to this level over the past two weeks, which is part of the reason why the Cowboys' defense has struggled to get off the field. 

No. 6: David Irving vs. Washington

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The only player on this list to appear twice is Irving. 

It's been a long time since the Cowboys have had two impactful rushers at the same time, but with Irving and Lawrence (who easily could have been listed multiple times here), there may not be a duo in the league that is playing better. 

The only reason this performance by Irving isn't higher on the list is due to the competition he faced in Week 7. Going up against an offensive line that was missing as many as four starters at one point, you would expect someone such as him to dominate. And that's exactly what he did.

It was Irving's second two-sack game of the season and was arguably the best match of his career. 

Along with his two sacks, Irving contributed 2.5 tackles for a loss, two quarterback hits, four total tackles and one pass deflection. These types of games show off the immense potential Irving has at the age of 24 and why the Cowboys would be wise to pay him sooner rather than later. 

No. 7: Terrance Williams vs. Kansas City

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Before Week 9, Terrance Williams didn't have a 100-yard game in his last 24 games, including the playoffs per Pro Football Reference.

In fact, before his huge performance against the Kansas City Chiefs, he had just two career games over 90 yards receiving. Once Dez Bryant went down with a leg injury, Williams stepped up and caught all nine of his targets for 141 yards. 

While this game was spectacular and well-timed for the Cowboys, Williams hasn't been consistent enough this season. Two different passes have clanked off of his chest that have been intercepted; one against the Green Bay Packers and one this week against the Philadelphia Eagles.

In the team's "other" nine games, Willams has just 260 receiving yards on 26 catches and zero touchdowns. That's not good enough for a player who has started every single game for the Cowboys this season.

If the Cowboys want to go on any sort of run over the next six weeks, they will need more games like this from Williams. 

No. 8: Chris Jones vs. New York

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Punters never get enough credit because when they enter the game, it usually means something bad happened.

However, Chris Jones' performance against the New York Giants in Week 1 was one of the better games you will see from a punter. Not only was his game impressive, it was also critical in the Cowboys winning their first match of the season. 

The Cowboys punted on four of their first seven drives of the game. On those, Jones pinned the Giants inside their own 10-yard line all four times. On one of the punts, the Cowboys were able to down the ball inside the Giants' own 5-yard line. The Giants failed to score any points after those four punts by Jones. 

Dallas' special teams unit has been shaky this season, but Jones' play has been one of the few constants for the Cowboys. They need to invest in their special teams this offseason, but Jones and Dan Bailey are a nice start.