Dallas made a great impression again in week 5. Although in this case the offense was solely in charge of burning time on the clock, the defense did confirm everything that is expected. That unit had several protagonists shining. Logically the two captures of Micah Parsons are highlighted. Although there was another member of the unit who had a greater impact on development.
That commanding presence was defensive end Dorance Armstrong. To beat Los Angeles it was going to be essential to have a complementary game. One thing that undoubtedly emerges as an obligation with a backup quarterback is staying close on the scoreboard. Otherwise, it would be forcing the situation too much.
For this reason it was decisive to start solidly. What happened was not simply a reliable performance at the start, but the blow was almost a knockout. That is where this player should be highlighted because of the importance he had in the result. The actions marked below were decisive because they set the tone for what the afternoon would be.
.@TankLawrence recovers the fumble and takes it to the house!
????: #DALvsLAR on FOX
????: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/dCuo7DIlNd pic.twitter.com/Ukn181bBqN— NFL (@NFL) October 9, 2022
For Matthew Stafford the season was not being good at all. Having the first offensive series could help him get into a rhythm, but the outcome of the drive was chaotic. On 3rd and 1 the quarterback stepped back to throw the ball. The drawback for him was that he never got to do it because of a fantastic action by an opponent.
The Cowboys sent a very clear message to the Rams with that strip sack. What made the sack perfect was the combination with DeMarcus Lawrence to turn the fumble into a score. From there he started a nearly error free task of the unit. The one exception was Cooper Kupp’s 75-yard touchdown run. However, there was no other hitch.
The afternoon didn’t end there for the defensive end, though. On the contrary, he would make his mark again. On his next occasion he impacted special teams immediately after Lawrence’s TD. Los Angeles’ offense couldn’t do anything to respond in his second appearance, so he had to punt. But that routine kick was turned into another hit by Armstrong’s big block on the Rams’ pointer.
Dorance Armstrong wrecking this game early pic.twitter.com/ja3jGip8Kq
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) October 9, 2022
That could have been a huge jump for the game by starting the drive at the opponent’s 20-yard line. However, Rush failed to take advantage of that opportunity. Still Dallas stretched the lead to nine points on an FG by Brett Maher. Through that difference all development was facilitated. Without those interventions by Armstrong, perhaps the duel would have been very complicated for the Cowboys due to the potential that was in front of them.
The defensive end’s season is being excellent. Despite the departure of Randy Gregory in free agency, those in charge of supplying his production are responding in spades. Armstrong in particular has already had four sacks. In fact he is just one short of what he did last year. With that figure he is ninth in the entire league in a fact that proves his relevant contribution.
Double team rate at edge (x) by pass rush win rate at edge (y), updated through Week 4. pic.twitter.com/Zkd3BuGf7m
— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) October 7, 2022
