Cowboys vs. Rams score, takeaways: Dallas rolls behind Dak Prescott's 4 TDs, CeeDee Lamb's career day

Dallas dominated coming off its bye

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Cowboys entered Week 8 with the longest active home winning streak in the NFL at 10 games in a row, and they successfully extended that streak as they won 43-20 over the Rams. The Cowboys have now outscored their opponents 111-33 in their three home games this season. Their 11 consecutive home game victories is Dallas' longest streak since they also won 11 in a row spanning from 1991-1992, the latter season being the first of its three Super Bowl championship years in the 1990s. 

Dallas started the scoring on the opening drive of the game. The Cowboys overcome two early sacks, thanks to a 17-yard conversion by wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and a 19-yard conversion by Brandin Cooks. Quarterback Dak Prescott concluded the drive with a perfect, high-arching pass to tight end Jake Ferguson for an 18-yard touchdown pass.

Rams fifth-round rookie Puka Nacua, whose 58 catches led the NFL through the first seven weeks of 2023, hauled in his 59th career reception in his eighth career NFL game, thanks to a 22-yard catch-and run. That is the most in NFL history through a player's first eight games. 

Dallas extended its edge to 10-3 after rookie kicker Brandon Aubrey drilled his first of two field goals from 58 yards, marking the longest made kick of his young career. His 18 consecutive field goals are tied for the most made field goals in a row to start a career. 

Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland, who is filling in for the injured Trevon Diggs on the outside, recorded his third pick-six of the season, the most in the NFL, on his 30-yard interception return touchdown of Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford's pass that was intended for Cooper Kupp. That put Dallas up 17-3. The Cowboys' heavy blitz up the middle on the play sped up Stafford's progression forcing him to make the throw Kupp's way earlier than anticipated. Bland's three pick-sixes are tied for the most in any team's first seven games in NFL history. Stafford finished with 162 passing yards one passing touchdown, and an interception on 13-of-22 passing. 

Just over a minute later, Dallas was lighting up the scoreboard again as defensive lineman Sam Williams blocked a Rams punt out of the back of the end zone for a safety and a 19-3 lead. On the ensuing punt return, KaVontae Turpin ran it back 63 yards, the second-longest punt return of his career, as he was pushed out of bounds at the Rams 13. Two plays later, Lamb found the end zone from 10 yards out for his first of two receiving touchdowns. His second one came with 2:27 left in the first half as he became uncovered while Prescott worked the scramble drill, resulting in a 22-yard touchdown. Lamb finished with a career-high 158 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns on a career-high 12 catches. 

Prescott capped his afternoon with a 25-yard touchdown passing touchdown in the third quarter to Brandin Cooks, who now has consecutive games with a receiving touchdown after having no touchdowns in his first four games as a Cowboy. Dallas pulled him from the game up 43-17 with 10:34 left to play after he threw for 304 yards, four receiving touchdowns and an interception on 25-of-31 passing. 

Why the Cowboys won

Dallas overwhelmed Los Angeles in all three phases of football. The Cowboys became the first team with a defensive touchdown (Bland's pick-six), a blocked punt, and a defensive safety (Williams blocking the punt out of the end zone) since the 2017 Dolphins did it against the Broncos, according to ESPN Stats and Info. The Cowboys are also the first team to do so in a first half since the 2007 Lions against the Chiefs. 

Offensively, Prescott had his sixth career game with 300 or more passing yards (304) and four passing touchdowns, tying Tony Romo for the most such games in Cowboys history. Lamb accounted for 158 of those yards (a career-high in receiving yards), two of those touchdowns (tied a career-high in receiving touchdowns on 12 catches, a career-high). It's his third career game with 10 or more catches, 100 or more receiving yards and two touchdowns, the most such games in team history. On special teams, Aubrey nailed both of his field goals, including a career-long 58-yarder in the first quarter. Returner KaVontae Turpin had a 63-yard return that led to a 10-yard Lamb receiving touchdown two plays later. There aren't many more things the Cowboys could have done to play better.

Why the Rams lost

They simply couldn't hang with the Cowboys. Simple as that. The 23-point defeat tied the second-largest loss of Rams head coach Sean McVay's career while the 24-point halftime deficit (33-9) was the largest of his career. Defensively, they had no answers for CeeDee Lamb, and offensively, Matthew Stafford couldn't get into a rhythm. Having wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua combine for 64 receiving yards on seven catches is far short of what the Rams need to win on a weekly basis. 

Turning point

Bland's 30-yard pick-six. The Cowboys had just been forced to settle for a 58-yard field goal and only led 10-3 late in the first quarter. It was still anyone's game at that point. Once Bland picked off Stafford and ran it back to extend the Dallas lead to 17-3, AT&T Stadium was roaring and the momentum was squarely on the side of the host Cowboys. Five minutes later after a blocked punt for a safety and Lamb's first touchdown of the day, Dallas led 26-3. Game over. 

Play of the game 

Prescott's 18-yard, opening-drive touchdown pass to tight end Jake Ferguson. Dak perfectly lofted this ball to Ferguson over the outstretched arms of the defense to only where Ferguson could catch. This was one fo the best throw's of Prescott's eight-year career. 

The slow-motion replay provides a better angle to appreciate Prescott's pass, which was a thing of football beauty. 

What's Next

The Cowboys improve to 5-2 and will face the defending NFC champion Eagles for the first time 2023 on the road in Philly in Week 9. The Rams fall to 3-5 and will travel to Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers in Week 9. 

Updates
(31)
See New Posts
 
Pinned
Link copied

New Rams kicker Lucas Havrisik drains a 47-yard field goal to trim Los Angeles' deficit to 23, 43-20, with 5:31 left in the game. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Cowboys punt returner KaVontae Turpin's 88-yard punt return touchdown is called back because of a holding penalty on cornerback Nashon Wright, so Dallas will start their next drive at their own seven up 43-17 with 10:34 to go. Backup quarterback Cooper Rush is now in the game for Dak Prescott given Dallas is comfortably ahead in the fourth quarter. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Cowboys starting left tackle today, Chuma Edoga, is questionable to return with an ankle injury. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

After going without a receiving touchdown in his first four games as a Dallas Cowboy, Brandin Cooks now has a receiving score in consecutive games thanks to his 25-yard touchdown on a vertical route from Prescott. Cowboys lead the Rams 43-17 with 12:19 left in the game. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Cowboys backup left tackle Chuma Edoga suffers a right leg injury. Edoga is filling in for Tyron Smith. Cowboys fifth-round rookie offensive lineman Asim Richards will sub in for Edoga. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Brett Rypien is now in at quarterback for the Rams after Matthew Stafford departed with a hand injury. He is now back in the Los Angeles locker room for further examination. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

The second-half is underway in Arlington, and the Rams explode out of the gate in the third quarter, marching 75 yards in seven plays. Their touchdown drive was concluded with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to wide receiver Ben Skowronek. Their two-point conversion attempt, the Rams' version of the Philly Special, is under review as Stafford, who was on the receiving end of a pass from wide receiver Tutu Atwell, was also good. In conclusion, the Cowboys lead 33-17 as they get the ball back for the first time in the second half. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Just like that, Lamb has his second touchdown of the day, this from 22 yards out. In total, CeeDee Lamb has 122 receiving yards and two touchdowns on nine catches. The Cowboys are once again cruising at home as they lead 33-3 with 2:27 left in the first half.

 
Pinned
Link copied

Cowboys top wideout CeeDee Lamb had seven catches for 117 yards in the entire game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 6, a 20-17 win. Lamb has eight catches for 100 yards and a touchdown already in WEek 8 against the Rams, and it's not even halftime. 

"I have to make it clear, I'm not stingy," Lamb said Thursday. "I'm here to help. I don't necessarily think you take anyone in the first round and not have them help the team. That's point blank period. Just let me do what I can do to provide for this team. I know all my brothers in the locker room know I got their back. I say that confidently."

 
Pinned
Link copied

Dallas defensive lineman Sam Williams blocks the Rams punt out of the back of the end zone for a safety. Cowboys lead 19-3 early in the second quarter. On the ensuing punt, Cowboys returner KaVontae Turpin takes the ball back 63 yards to the Rams 10. Two plays later, Dallas finds the end zone again on a Dak Prescott touchdown strike to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb for the 10-yard score. In the blink of an eye, the Cowboys lead balloons from 17-3 to 26-3 in the span of five minutes. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Cowboys second-year cornerback DaRon Bland, who is filling in for the injured Trevon Diggs on the outside, records his third pick-six of the season, the most in the NFL, on his 30-yard interception return touchdown. Bland's nine interceptions lead the NFL since his debut in 2022, four of which have come in 2023. The Cowboys' heavy blitz up the middle forced Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford to make a throw quickly, and Bland was waiting for him to attempt a pass to the outside flat toward Cooper Kupp. Cowboys lead 17-3.

 
Pinned
Link copied

Cowboys rookie Brandon Aubrey drills the 58-yard field goal with ease after quarterback Dak Prescott was sacked for a loss of 10 by Aaron Donald on third down. Dallas scores on both of their first two drives and lead the Rams 10-3 with 43 seconds left in the opening quarter. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Cowboys second-year CB DaRon Bland make the key stop of Cooper Kupp on the Rams' third-down screen to limit the damage to three points. New Rams kicker Lucas Havrisik drills the 33-yard field goal, the exact distance of an extra point. Cowboys lead 7-3 after each team has possessed the football once. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

With that 22-yard catch by Rams rookie Puka Nacua, he now has 59 career receptions and counting in his eigth career NFL game. That is the most in NFL history through a player's first eight games. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Dak Prescott with a beautiful, high-arching pass to the middle of the end zone to tight end Jake Ferguson for the 18-yard touchdown. Ferguson snuck back behind the zone coverage and made a strong catch in coverage. Dallas leads 7-0 just over five minutes into the game. The Rams offense will take the field for the first time next. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Aaron Donald may be 32 now, but he looked like his three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year self on his seven-yard sack of Dak Prescott. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

The Cowboys feel Tyron Smith's absence immediately as Dak Prescott is sacked by Rams outside linebacker Michael Hoecht for a loss of five on the first play of the day. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

The Los Angeles Rams win the coin toss and elect to take the football after halftime. Quarterback Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys offense will take the field first against defensive tackle Aaron Donald and the Rams defense. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

In the Cowboys' eyes, Nacua is Cooper Kupp 2.0, high praise no doubt.

"He reminds me of Cooper [Kupp]," Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said Wednesday. "I can see the carryover there in the training and how they play. I've been really impressed with his physicality, especially for a young player. Just his play style is what jumps off the film most."     

 
Pinned
Link copied

The new element to this matchup in 2023 is the arrival of fifth-round rookie Puka Nacua out of BYU whose 58 catches led the NFL through the first seven weeks of the season. That made him the first rookie with at least a share of the NFL lead in receptions through seven weeks since Philadelphia Eagles tight end Keith Jackson in 1988. If he catches just one pass on Sunday, Nacua will have sole possession of the record for the most catches through a player's first eight games in NFL history.   

 
Pinned
Link copied

With running back Ezekiel Elliott now a New England Patriot, Pro Bowler Tony Pollard has become the lead running back in Dallas. His  16.0 carries per game are a career-high as is his 86.2% catch rate this season (career-high). However, his efficiency has taken a step back from 2022. He averaged an NFL-best 5.9 yards per scrimmage touch in 2022 among players with at least 200 touches, and now his 4.5 yards per touch this season rank as a career-low.

Perhaps all Pollard needs to get going again is a matchup with the Rams. He ripped of this 57-yard rushing touchdown in Dallas' 22-10 win over Los Angeles in Week 5 last season. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has at least 4 receptions in every game this season. He also has two 100-yard games this season, including Week 6 at the Chargers (7 rec, 117 yards) a week after demanding the football. Lamb is averaging 14.0 yards per cathich this season, a career-high, as well as an 81% catch rate this season, also a career-high and tied for the fifth-highest catch percentage by a wide receiver this season. 

"Just going out and being who I am, that's to get open and be the best for this offense," Lamb said Thursday. "Move the ball and move the chains. With that comes 100-yard games, big games. You get a lot of 16-yard gains and catches. Just continue to move the chains and 100-yard games will continue to come, and the offense is very happy. For me, that's definitely what I plan to do on this team and continue to do.

I have to make it clear, I'm not stingy. I'm here to help. I don't necessarily think you take anyone in the first round and not have them help the team. That's point blank period. Just let me do what I can do to provide for this team. I know all my brothers in the locker room know I got their back. I say that confidently."

 
Pinned
Link copied

Despite Aaron Donald's slow start to 2023 at age 32, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott maintains Donald is still that dude.   

"Shit yeah he is," Prescott said Thursday when asked if Aaron Donald is still a dominant defender. "Yeah, he is. I've got to play him this week, of course he is. Yeah, he's still the focus. That guy, I don't know, what is it, three [NFL] Defensive Player of the Year [awards]? A player of a generation. Having played against him now for a while, he can ruin a game. So you've got to give him focus. Give him credit because he deserves that. He's a hell of a player. Yeah, he hasn't lost a step. Yeah, he's still Aaron Donald."

 
Pinned
Link copied

Not even Rams three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald can get going when it comes to sacking opposing quarterbacks: he has gone three straight games without a sack after having half a sack or more in three of Los Angeles' first four games. Donald only has 2.5 sacks in seven games this season while the Rams as a team have 12, the fourth-fewest in the NFL.

 
Pinned
Link copied

Despite the Rams having a 37.7% quarterback pressure rate, the 10th-highest rate in the NFL entering Week 8, their sack rate is only 5%, the fifth-lowest rate in the league. That bodes will for Dak Prescott being able to escape the pocket via a scramble for either a nice gain with his legs or a massive gain with his arms. In Week 6 against the Chargers, the last game Dallas played before their Week 7 bye, Prescott's used his legs in an 18-yard rushing touchdown on a fourth-and-two play via a read-option keeper, and scrambles that led to a two-yard touchdown pass to receiver Brandin Cooks as well as a 60-yard catch-and-run by Pollard.   

 
Pinned
Link copied

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott had his best rushing performance of the 2023 his team's 20-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 6. Here is a look how the Cowboys' perspective on the 30-year-old's use of his legs and how much they may plan to utilize them on purpose in the weeks ahead. Prescott is all for more plays like his 18-yard read-option touchdown in Week 6. 

See More