EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Despite being down several starters on offense, the Cowboys fired on all cylinders in Week 5 against the New York Jets en route to a 37-22 victory.
Dallas now improves to 2-2-1 after a disappointing tie a week ago to Green Bay and another road test against the Carolina Panthers looming next Sunday.
For the third time in their five games this season, the Cowboys scored 30 or more points. Defensively, they allowed the least amount of points they have all season giving up 22 to the Jets.
Let's dive into some more notes from Dallas' win in the Meadowlands:
The Cowboys improved to 2-2-1 on Sunday in a 37-22 win over the New York Jets. In Pic 6, we dive into Jake Ferguson's big game, Dallas' pass rush getting home, and more notes from the victory.
Getting Home
After being dormant in their first four games, Dallas' pass rush exploded onto the scene in a big way against the Jets, combining for five sacks and 49 yards lost for New York's offense off those sacks.
James Houston continues to be the Cowboys' best pass rusher, adding one and a half sacks to extend his lead as Dallas' leader in sacks with three and a half for the season.
In addition to Houston and Fowler, Kenny Clark, Sam Williams and Osa Odighizuwa added at least half a sack as the Cowboys had plenty of meetings in the backfield on Justin Fields. In getting pressure on him, they limited Fields' running ability to just 26 yards on seven carries.
The Ferguson Factor
For the first time in his career, Jake Ferguson finished a game with multiple touchdown receptions, bringing in two against the Jets. He finished with a team-leading seven receptions for 49 yards alongside his two scores.
After not scoring at all in 2024, Ferguson now has back-to-back games with touchdowns for the Cowboys. His first on Sunday game on a perfectly timed TE screen, with Nate Thomas and Ryan Flournoy clearing the path with blocks in front for a 26-yard score.
The second came at the end of the first half, after the Cowboys were able to manage the clock well enough to score two touchdowns in the final minute of the first half for the second straight week. Dak Prescott found Ferguson wide open after the Jets defense fell for the ball fake on play action, and there's plenty to be happy about for Ferguson.
Punch it Out
For weeks, the Cowboys defense has tried countless times to execute punching the ball out, a point of emphasis for new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, without much success.
That was until Sunday, when Marist Liufau flipped the game on its head by punching the ball free from Breece Hall as the Jets were driving and in the red zone with a chance to tie the game at 10. Sam Williams hopped on the loose ball and the Cowboys took over with 2:18 to play in the second quarter.
Not only did they go 91-yards for a touchdown in seven plays and a minute and 21 seconds, but they also forced a quick three and out to be able to score another touchdown with :15 seconds left to go into the half up two scores.
The Cowboys' defense also stopped the Jets on fourth down twice, which don't count as turnovers but might as well given that the offense immediately takes over.
Running Free
Javonte Williams continued his strong start to the season, adding 135 yards and a touchdown to his season total on 16 carries.
William's biggest play came on a 66-yard run, the longest of his career by 17 yards, at the end of the first half to set up the Cowboys' second touchdown in the final minute of the second quarter.
After only scoring six rushing touchdowns as a team all of last season, Williams has five on the ground through five games and also added a receiving touchdown on his only catch of the day from four yards out.
Young Bucks Step Up
Down two of their starting wide receivers in CeeDee Lamb and KaVontae Turpin, the Cowboys offense looked like it was once again going to look heavily towards George Pickens to have a big day for them to have success.
Instead, it was Ryan Flournoy who stole the show for the Cowboys. He had the two longest receptions of the season for Dallas – both in the first half – for 46-and 40-yard gains. Flournoy finished the day with 114 yards on six receptions.
When starting LB Jack Sanborn went out with a concussion early in the game, the Cowboys leaned on rookie Shemar James to step up in his place. James went on to lead the team in tackles with 15 against the Jets.
Five as One
With four starting offensive linemen out for the Cowboys, there was plenty of concern coming into the game about whether Dallas would be able to handle the Jets' stout front that featured one of the best defensive tackles in football in Quinnen Williams, and a rising pass rusher like Will McDonald IV.
Even being shorthanded, Dallas' front five held up just fine. They kept Dak Prescott clean, with the only sack being credited to Braiden McGregor as the nearest defender on a Prescott slide behind the line of scrimmage to keep the clock rolling in the fourth quarter.
The good news is they have a chance to get two starters back next week, if Tyler Guyton clears concussion protocol and Tyler Smith, who was available in an emergency situation Sunday, gets back to feeling in playing shape with a knee injury.
