The Dallas Cowboys improved upon their impressive run in Week 5, as they downed the Los Angeles Rams 22-10 to move to 4-1. Cooper Rush was not the headliner this Sunday, as he completed just 10 of 16 passes for 102 yards. It was the Dallas defense that dominated this NFC matchup.
The Cowboys entered Sunday allowing just 15.5 points per game -- which ranked third in the NFL -- and owned the second-highest pressure rate. That showed itself on Sunday, as on the Rams' first drive of the game, the Dallas defense stole the spotlight in emphatic fashion, as Dorance Armstrong strip-sacked Matthew Stafford on third-and-1, and DeMarcus Lawrence scooped up the loose ball and returned it 19 yards for the first points of the game. On the Rams' next drive, Armstrong showed up again, and blocked a punt, setting Dallas up with great field position.
Stafford completed 28 of 42 passes for 308 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Cooper Kupp again showed out with seven receptions for 125 yards and one touchdown, but he couldn't carry this entire team to a win. The run game was once again a nonfactor, as Cam Akers rushed 13 times for 33 yards, while Darrell Henderson did not receive a carry.
This game just served as fuel for the Cowboys hype train, but also will force the 2-3 Rams to take a hard look at themselves in the mirror. Let's take a look at what went down in L.A. on Sunday.
Why the Cowboys won
The adage is "defense wins championships." While the NFL has largely turned to quarterbacks and high-flying offenses, that is not why the Cowboys won on Sunday. Not too many people think there's a legitimate quarterback controversy in Dallas, and Week 5 didn't exactly help Rush's case either. His 4-0 record this season speaks for itself, but he threw for just 102 yards. The Cowboys defense was the reason why they won this game.
The voracious pass rush sacked Stafford five times and applied pressure on him all afternoon, as the defense totally contained the run game and forced three turnovers. The Cowboys grabbed momentum from the jump, and didn't let go. The Rams were down just six points entering the second half, but failed to score a single point in the final two quarters. Trevon Diggs, Anthony Barr, Donovan Wilson, Micah Parsons and Anthony Brown all showed up in big spots. They are the reason why Dallas is a contender.
Why the Rams lost
It's probably time we had a conversation about the Rams. I can look past a road loss to the rival 49ers -- who have had the Rams' number as of late -- but losing at home by double digits to a team with a backup quarterback is different. Stafford was not accurate, Cam Akers rushed for just 33 yards on 13 carries and then Kupp was the only receiver who found success once again. He's a bona fide stud, no doubt about it, but he can't carry this entire team to victory! The Rams' banged-up offensive line definitely struggled against one of the best pass rushes in the NFL, but even if Stafford had time to throw, I'm not sure that would have been the difference in this game. Sean McVay is going to have to figure out what he wants to change on offense.
Turning point
Down 12 points with a few minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, it was do-or-die time for the Rams. Stafford and Co. opted to die in this situation, as the Rams QB sailed a pass that ended up in the arms of Cowboys safety Malik Hooker. It was the exclamation point the Cowboys were looking for.
Play of the game
This is how every NFL team wants to start every game. Three plays into Sunday's matchup, Stafford was strip-sacked by Armstrong, and Lawrence needed just 19 yards for the scoop-and-score. The Cowboys defense has been so impressive through the start of the 2022 regular season, and it showed again this week.
What's next
The Cowboys hit the road next week, to take on the rival Philadelphia Eagles on "Sunday Night Football." As for the Rams, they will play host to the Carolina Panthers next Sunday afternoon.