The Cowboysâ offensive line has undergone considerable changes since the start of the season. Yet, it was barely noticeable in Sundayâs 37-22 beatdown of the Jets.
Dallas ran for 180 yards, quarterback Dak Prescott was sacked only once, and a front five that was without four starters compiled two scoring drives of 90 or more yards in the second quarter as the Cowboys compiled their first win since Week 2.
The Cowboys went 6-of-13 on third down and outgained the Jets 416-378. Through four games, Dallas (2-2-1) leads the NFL in yards per game (406.6) and ranks fourth in points per game (30.2).
âIt’s credit to these coaches, it’s credit to the players, it’s credit to the organization and I mean, everybody,â Prescott said, via the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. âThere’s not many teams in the league that can put four guys who don’t start into the game and feel confident about going and winning a game, especially on the road against one of the most premier interior defensive linemen (Quinnen Williams) and some good rushers as well.â
Who Started on the Cowboys’ Offensive Line?
The Cowboysâ offensive line featured almost entirely backups. Rookie first rounder Tyler Booker and Tyler Guyton were both late inactives because of injuries, joining Cooper Beebe and Tyler Smith among the unavailable starters.
Beebe (high-ankle sprain) was already on injured reserve, while Smith (knee) was technically active but available only in case of emergency.
The only healthy starter was right tackle Terence Steele, who has not missed a game since 2022. Opposite him at left tackle was Nate Thomas, who was making his first career start in place of Guyton (concussion). T.J. Bass was the next man up at right guard with Booker (ankle) out.
Hakeem Adeniji started at left guard, and Brock Hoffman was back at center in place of Beebe.
Even with all those changes, the Cowboys topped 30 points for the third time in four weeks to keep pace with the Eagles and Commanders atop the NFC East. Prescott threw for 237 yards and four touchdowns on 18-of-29 passing, and Javonte Williams ran for a season-high 135 yards and scored two touchdowns. Ryan Flournoy had a team-high 114 yards receiving on six catches with All-Pro receiver CeeDee Lamb (ankle) out.
What Did Dak Prescott Say About the Offensive Line?
Prescott complimented the Cowboysâ backup linemen for making the most of their opportunity, saying theyâd prepared for such situations all offseason.
âIt goes back to April and OTAs, all the way through minicamp of guys taking advantage of each rep that they’ve gotten and knowing that their time’s going to come,â Prescott said. âOur (offensive coordinator) Klayton (Adams) says it all the time, if you don’t like your position or if you’re a little upset, you know that you’re not the guy, wait 10, 15 minutes, you never know. That’s the way that this league goes. And those four guys and (Flourney) and other guys showed that tonight that you just keep your head down, you keep working, you control what you can control, and when your opportunities come, you don’t have to look around, you can take advantage of them.”
The Cowboys visit the Panthers in Week 6.
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