The Cowboys Report
Proficient Prescott looks to be in midseason form for Cowboys
Aug 22, 2019, 6:50 am
Tim Warner/Getty Images
The Dallas Cowboys got their first win of the preseason Saturday night when they beat the Los Angeles Rams 14-10.
For the second week in a row Quarterback Dak Prescott has led the Cowboys to a score in their opening possession. Just like last week, he was perfect on all his throws (5-5) for 64 yards, which helped add to the 12 play, 97 yard touchdown drive.H e seems to be in mid-season form already as he connected with five different players on each of his throws. Once again he hooked up with second year receiver Michael Gallup, this time for a 31 yard pass down the right sideline for the longest play of the game.cHe looks like he is ready for the regular season to begin and perhaps deserving of a new "Starting Quarterback" contract.
Speaking of new contracts, last year's NFL leading rusher Ezekiel Elliott is still hasn't reported to the team as he is waiting for a new one of his own. With him out, rookie running back Tony Pollard looked great as he played with the starters on that opening drive. He carried the ball five times for 42 yards and caught one pass for nine yards. Most importantly, Pollard ended the drive with an inside handoff that he took for a 14 yard touchdown. After seeing that, the Cowboys have something more than just the win to be excited about.
The Dallas defense looked solid again. They made the Rams punt on their first two possessions but did allow a touchdown on their third one which was set up by a fumbled punt return on the Cowboys 37 yard line.
3 things to watch for
1.Running backs (T. Pollard or A. Morris): Rookie Tony Pollard (2019 fourth round pick) looked impressive. He ran with a good mix of both power and speed. Veteran Alfred Morris saw his first preseason action. He didn't do much with his three carries for six yards. Pollard looks to be the clear cut #1 RB for now.
2.Return of Jason Witten: After coming back from a year of retirement, the 11 time Pro Bowl Tight End caught his only target that turned out to be a clutch third down catch that gave the Cowboys a first down to keep their scoring drive alive. He could be an important factor that helps cure their red zone woes.
3.Kicker Brett Maher: Missed his only field goal attempt of the game (52 yards) but made his two extra point attempts. The Cowboys don't seem to have much confidence in him and might start looking to bring in someone else to kick for them.
Coming up
Saturday Aug. 24 the Dallas Cowboys (1-1) will be taking on their in-state rival Houston Texans (1-1) at home in AT&T stadium.This matchup should be compelling as it's the third preseason game and it is the one that most resembles a regular season contest. Almost all starters should play a good amount of time.
Currently, the line on this game is a pickem with the over/under at 40.5. Again, this is preseason and I will be staying away. If you absolutely have to play something, I would look to the over. The Texans are averaging 26 points this preseason while the Cowboys are averaging 11.5. If that stays true, score will be around 37.5. With all starters playing a little more than they have been, I would, think that one or maybe both teams might score a little more than their average. If you played last week, it was an easy under of 43.5.
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Astros stumble again as Braves complete gut-wrenching series sweep
Apr 17, 2024, 4:51 pm
Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander will make his season debut Friday night at the Washington Nationals.
Houston manager Joe Espada made the announcement Wednesday.
“Getting him back is huge because it brings a level of confidence to our team, a boost of confidence that we’re going to get someone who’s been an MVP, a Cy Young (winner) on the mound,” Espada said. “It's (good) for the morale and to get stuff started and moving in the right direction.”
The three-time Cy Young Award winner opened the season on the injured list with inflammation in his right shoulder. He made two rehabilitation starts, the first for Triple-A Sugar Land on April 7 before Saturday’s start for Double-A Corpus Christi.
Espada wouldn't say how many pitches the 41-year-old would be limited to but said they'll keep an eye on his workload.
“We've got to be careful how hard we push him early,” Espada said. “I know he’s going to want to go and stay out there and give us an opportunity to win, but we've got to be cautious of how hard we push him early in the season.”
Verlander wasn’t thrilled with the results in his rehabilitation starts, but he said Monday that those games were valuable in getting him prepared to come off the IL.
He allowed seven hits and six runs — five earned — in four innings against Frisco on Saturday. He struck out three, walked one and threw 51 of 77 pitches for strikes.
Verlander allowed six earned runs and struck out six while pitching into the fourth inning for Sugar Land on April 7.
The Astros have gotten off to a tough start with Verlander and fellow starters Framber Valdez and José Urquidy on the injured list. They enter Wednesday's games last in the AL West with a 6-13 record.
Espada hopes Verlander can be the boost the team needs to get on track.
“It’s good to get him back in the rotation,” Espada said. “With what he means to this club just to get him back on track, getting some innings from him (to) build our rotation with the pieces that we need to move forward is exciting.”