In a week 12 matchup that was featured as a GOTW, the 11-0 Cowboys took on the AFC North division leader Browns. While clearly the more dominant team, some people doubted the Cowboys and the final score of 35-0 put an end to any doubters. Last week both Dak and Tony Pollard expressed their unhappiness with their MVP odds and this game helped improved Tony Pollard MVP case but lessened the chance of Dak winning the award. Having a run game and defense that is so dominant may prove ill-fated for Dak’s MVP season, as in this game he only threw the ball 10 times, totalling 110 yards and 1 TD.
The best RB in the league finished his day with 16 carries for 137 yards and a TD while also having a TD vultured, as rookie RB TreVeyon Henderson subbed in on the goalline for his only carry of the game, scoring his first career TD. Tony Pollard also showed his versatility, as after the Browns went 3 and out on their first drive, he returned the punt 77 yards into the end zone.
Potentially the most dominant defense of all time, the Cowboys did not allow any points on the day, which is the 2nd time they have shutout an opponent this season and the 5th time holding a team to single digit points. The d-line of the Cowboys helped generate pressure, sacking Deshaun Watson 3 times as well as limiting Nick Chubb, who is averaging over 8 yards per carry on the season, to just 3.4 YPC this game. The run game was completely destroyed, as the Cowboys finished with a total 11 TFLs. The passing game for the Browns was just as ineffective, with Deshaun Watson finishing with an atrocious 32% completion rate. Potential DPOY Daron Bland added another interception to his season, with Trevon Diggs adding one as well. Next week the Cowboys take on another AFC North opponent Ravens, in which should be a exciting game.