Top 10: Best Standouts vs Houston Include 3 DTs
The Cowboys had their chances to win Sunday night's Lone Star showdown in Houston, but just couldn't find enough consistency on offense. That's why you'll see the majority of these top players from the defensive side of the ball. Let's look at the Top 10 performances from Sunday's loss to the Texans.
10. Daniel Ross – The Cowboys were hopeful David Irving would be able to play Sunday night in the middle. However, all three of their top defensive tackles are on this list, including Ross, who was in the backfield often, hitting the quarterback five times.
9. Brett Maher – He's just hit 11 field goals in a row if anyone is scoring at home. Three more Sunday night, including a clutch 48-yarder to tie the game. However, the reason he's on this list is probably why the Cowboys lost. They settled for too many field goals early in the game, but that's not his fault. Maher is doing his job with field goals and kickoffs.
8. Jeff Heath – A much better response for Heath, who had one of his worst games last week. But he was flying around the ball and making some big hits, saving a touchdown on two straight plays in the second quarter.
7. DeMarcus Lawrence – He didn't record a sack this week for the first time all year but he was active. Had the Cowboys kicked a field in the final seconds, Lawrence would've been one of the reasons as his pressure, along with Jaylon Smith, led to a key interception in the final moments.
6. Geoff Swaim – He seems to get better each week and is slowly becoming one of Dak's favorite targets. The screen pass was a great design by credit Swaim for weaving through defenders. His blocking is starting to get better with each game as well.
5. Dak Prescott – He wasn't perfect, but he was battling all night. Time after time, Dak was throwing off defenders and making throws on the run. Yes, his accuracy wasn't always there, but good enough to extend drives. He just didn't get a lot of help from his receivers, who had key drops throughout the game.
4. Antwaan Woods – What a find the Cowboys have with him. He's a big body who is using all of his size to be disruptive. He was in the backfield a lot, blowing up plays and forcing the Texans to get away from the run. He's also a better sideline to sideline player than you would imagine for a player his size.
3. Jaylon Smith – He was all over the field and basically filled up the stat sheet. His play to run down Watson before halftime was one of the best we've seen in a while. That play right there is why the Cowboys drafted him. His instincts, his speed, his strength and his ability to hit – were all shown on that one play.
2. Leighton Vander Esch – This first-round pick just gets better by the game. He knows how to find the ball carrier. But better than that, he's like Smith, in that the play typically ends when he gets there. Vander Esch isn't getting dragged around, which helps get the defense off the field. If he only gets better, it's going to be a great pickup for the Cowboys.
1. Tyrone Crawford – Not easy to find a game where he was more active. All over the place, from the backfield, to making plays down the field. The defense played with an attitude and it started with Crawford, who was still upset after the game with the loss. To him, the defense didn't do enough, but that's what a captain is supposed to say.
