Miami Dolphins vs Dallas Cowboys: What We Learned from the Game

Tony Sparano used the final preseason game to assess any roster questions the team still had and give the second, third and even fourth string players some playing time.

"Obviously going into this game we still have several spots that we're trying to figure out here and it was good to see a lot of guys play a lot during the coarse of this game," said Sparano in his post-game press conference. "And then we're trying to figure out some rotational things with some players that I feel like are on the team that I kind of want to get worked out."

With Chad Henne, Brandon Marshall, Reggie Bush and the majority of the starters on the sidelines, quarterback Matt Moore played well into the second half as the Dolphins took down the Cowboys 17-3 in the two teams final contest before the games start to count.

Moore finished the game completing 9 of his 11 passes for 142 yards and an 18-yard touchdown to backup tight-end Jaren Mastrud.

One of the players on the fritz of not making the final 53 man roster was cornerback Will Allen. Allen played extremely well throughout the first half including a deflected pass in the end zone that was intercepted by Tyrone Culver.W

Rookie running back Daniel Thomas was featured early also carrying the ball eight times for 36 yards, a 4.5 yards per carry average.

Free agent signee Larry Johnson carried the ball 10 times for 39 yards and a touchdown. Most of his yards came on his 22-yard scamper which accounted for the Dolphins first score of the game.

Clyde Gates finally showcased the speed fans have been waiting to see all preseason when he caught a 42-yard bomb from Matt Moore, which led to a Dolphins touchdown.

Ten different receivers caught passes for the Dolphins as Sparano used all three backup quarterbacks in the second half.

Kevin O'Connell only attempted one pass and it was incomplete. Undrafted rookie Pat Devlin saw some action completing all three of his passes for 30 yards and looked much better than when he first saw game action against Atlanta in the first preseason game.

On defense, Miami looked stout as they have all preseason. For the first time in the preseason the Cowboys didn't reach the end zone.

Dallas kickers also missed three field goals.

Cowboys quarterback Stephen McGee played well completing 21 of his 25 passes for 233 yards but failed to score a touchdown and his only interception was on a deflection by Will Allen.

Phillip Merling was on display also as trade rumors have swirled around him and he played well gathering three tackles, one for a loss.

A.J. Edds saw more significant playing time as he has throughout the preseason and he looked good again. Edds has 6 tackles on the night and was around the ball all night. 

Seventh-round pick Jimmy Wilson saw some time at left cornerback in the second half but didn't look as sharp as he had in the little playing time he has had thus far in the preseason. Wilson seemed confused at times as the defense switched from man to zone throughout a few drives.

Although the Cowboys held the ball for nearly 37 minutes they couldn't punch it in the end zone and the Dolphins reserves outlasted their counterparts in what is surely to be many players final moment before the 53 man roster cuts are announced.