3 Stars: Prescott, Lamb explode, as Gregory paces Cowboys defense to victory

What a thriller the Dallas Cowboys had in Week 6 against the New England Patriots. The Cowboys dominated in just about every aspect of the game, but penalties, inefficiency in the red zone, and questionable officiating kept the Patriots in it throughout and created high drama in Foxboro.

The game went into overtime after a Greg Zuerlein field goal with 20 seconds remaining and it only took the Cowboys one possession in the extra period to win their fifth straight game, 35-29. The win gave them a three-game lead in the NFC East. There were plenty of kudos to go around, but these three players stood out the most in a tough road win for Dallas.

Randy Gregory

Don’t look now, but Gregory is finding his groove getting after the quarterback. On Sunday he registered two sacks and a forced fumble against the Patriots. It was his second multi-sack game of the season and the third of his career (had two against Washington in 2020).

According to Next Gen Stats, Gregory’s first sack on Mac Jones took just 2.45 seconds after the ball was snapped which is the fifth-fastest sack of this season and the fastest of his career. Also, according to Pro Football Focus, Gregory’s 94.2 was the highest for any defender.

Gregory has overcome a lot to get to where he can showcase his talent the way he currently is. Forever humbled by his trials and tribulations, Gregory expressed his gratitude for the opportunity he has now, but he also recognizes there’s still work to do done.

“I’m just really thankful, really grateful to be in the position I’m in, not only playing but playing well and playing with a team that’s playing well,” Gregory said. “So I’ve got to keep telling myself that. I can’t get too far ahead of myself. I understand it’s a long season. There’s still a lot that I have to do, a lot that I have to learn to be the player I want to be and help this team out the way I know I can.”

CeeDee Lamb

The Cowboys running game had moments of effectiveness but the passing game is what led the way against the Patriots, and Lamb stole the show. He finished with a career-high nine receptions for a career-high 149 yards and two touchdowns which included the game winner in overtime.

It was Lamb’s second 100-yard performance of the season in just six games. He also put his name in the record books, much like he did as a rookie last season. Lamb tied Herschel Walker’s team record of hauling in 100 receptions in his first 22 games with the franchise. Also, his 1,432 yards are the most by any player in Cowboys history in their first 22 games.

Lamb’s first scoore was the 2,500th touchdown in Cowboys history and his game winner his first walk-off score since high school. He reveled at the moment during postgame interviews while admitting that he was shocked at how open he was on the play.

“That was an unbelievable feeling,” Lamb said. “I was expecting someone to pop up behind me and then there was no one within three yards to my left. Mills was behind me, when I turned around I was actually surprised and I just walked in.”

Dak Prescott

Prescott keeps proving doubters wrong on a weekly basis in 2021. Many felt he wouldn’t be the same after his season-ending ankle injury from a season ago. Silly rabbits. All he did in Week 6 against the Patriots was throw for 445 yards and three touchdowns. It’s the most yards ever against a Bill Belichick-coached team and the fifth time this season he’s thrown for three scores.

The two-time Pro Bowler has a knack for elite performance when games go to an extra period. For his career, Prescott is 18 out of 18 for 214 yards and three touchdowns (all game-winners) in overtime. Since 1994, he’s the only quarterback to never throw an incompletion in overtime.

Prescott did exit the game with an injury that occurred on his game-winning score to Lamb. After landing awkwardly, he suffered a calf strain. Fortunately for the Cowboys, they are entering their bye week, and according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, it appears he’ll be fine after having an MRI on Monday.

People are running out of ways to not give Prescott credit for how good he is. His 1,813 passing yards rank fifth in the NFL and his 16 touchdown passes are the third most. Prescott is also completing passes at an incredible rate at 73.1% which is second to Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals for any quarterback that’s started every game this season.

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