A stellar performance by the 1st pick in the 2021 NFL Draft sparked a commanding victory over the Dallas Cowboys in both team's final preseason game. In the two previous preseason games, the Jaguars' offense led by Trevor Lawrence had not scored a touchdown. Three drives into the dress rehearsal Lawrence was 11/12 with 139 yards and 2 touchdowns. This provided a big shot of confidence in himself and the team heading into a week one matchup with the Texans. The Cowboys' performance could best be described as less than stellar. Mostly reserves participated in the contest against the Jaguars' first-teamers. This game provided another twist in the backup QB situation and an up & down outing by the rookie corners. Overall, the biggest victory for the Cowboys in this game and this preseason was no major injuries to key players heading into the season.

QB1

The man described by many as the "best quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck" looked every bit the part in his final preseason action before making his regular-season NFL debut. With most of the first-teamers around him and a juicy matchup against the Cowboys' backups, Lawrence dissected the Cowboys' defense on all three levels. He showed zip, poise under pressure, and incredible touch. There are questions as to whether the Jags can protect #16 well enough when the real bullets fly. If so, this will allow him to be the franchise savior the top pick in the draft commands. There are no questions as to the speed and talent Lawrence has around him. The biggest non-Lawrence star of the first half was Laviska Shenault Jr., a mid-round pick out of Colorado. He showed his excellent combination of size and speed as he powered through Cowboy defenders for 33 yards and a touchdown. Other speedy veterans like Devin Smith, Phillip Dorsett II, and Pharoah Cooper made chunk plays against a secondary that seemed ill-equipped to stop them.

Cowboys' Reserves Contend for Roster Spots

In another example of clashing preseason strategies. The Cowboys elected to sit any projected starter and many projected role players, with all attention focused on the opening night bout with the Bucs. Even the OC & DC of the team and primary play-callers on both sides of the ball took the night off (for different reasons). The Cowboys had little invested in this game besides getting a long look at some reserve roster battles. The most high-profile battle has swung back and forth throughout the preseason with the leader changing on almost a snap-to-snap basis. That is the backup quarterback position that has been heavily discussed in the Cowboys community following a catastrophic injury to Dak Prescott last season. There was also another scare in training camp with Dak straining his shoulder. After a month off Dak looks ready to roll heading into the regular season. Should he miss time again this season, who steps in to save the day is a mystery heading into cut day? Gilbert had been the leader in the clubhouse until last week when Cooper Rush massively outperformed Garrett Gilbert and the job was suddenly his to lose. Getting the start this week versus the Jaguars' first-team defense, Cooper Rush dealt with plenty of adversity in his two series that did not lead to a first down. Struggles with accuracy, pass protection, and conservative decision-making doomed the Cowboys' offense during Rush's snaps. Gilbert checked in and looked more comfortable. The Cowboys' offense would get into the endzone late in the first half on a perfect throw to roster hopeful Malik Turner. With another 180 performance from both backup QB contenders, the Cowboys still have that question to answer with cut day coming fast.

The Final Half

 In a second-half filled with fringe roster players, both teams showed the value of experience at the backup QB position. Jake Luton & CJ Beathard were able to move the ball, in short gains and in chunks, to put 20 more points on the board for the Jags. Big plays defined the half for both teams as the Jags had 3 plays of 30+ yards which means the Cowboys' defense gave up those chunks as well. For the Cowboys, Garrett Gilbert & Ben Dinucci were both able to lead one good touchdown drive. Outside of that, it was a real issue moving the ball for the Cowboys throughout the game despite good performances from the o-line. With cuts coming in 48 hours, both teams have plenty of tape to review and difficult decisions to make as the league-wide tune-up is over and the real games can begin. Football is officially back!

Game Notes

  • Jags quality backup QB play allowed them to get some value for Minshew. Beathard and Luton both showed well this preseason
  • A quality performance for the Cowboys' offensive line despite playing the Jaguars' first-team defense. Decent room to run for backs and the quarterbacks had time to deliver the ball
  • Former first-round pick Laquon Treadwell had a nice special team tackle today
  • Jabril Cox & Israel Mukuamu look like keepers for the Cowboys as possible future starters on defense and key ST contributors now
  • Greg Zuerlein attempted his first FG of the preseason, missing from 56 yards
  • Bryan Anger looked to be in midseason form with a strong 50.4 punt average on 7 punts.