'I'll Be Alright!' Cowboys' Zack Martin Injured in Blowout vs. Jets
In their season opener last week, the Dallas Cowboys jumped out to a 26-0 halftime lead over the New York Giants and crusied through the second half.
Against the New York Jets on Sunday, the Cowboys have been just about as dominant ... but with a couple of injury issues to juggle.
Offensively, Dallas looked even better than it did last week. Dak Prescott in the first half alone was effective and efficient, completing 21 of 26 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns with no turnovers. ... with the only real blemish an elbow injury to left guard Chuma Edoga, who is starting in place of the injured Tyler Smith. UDFA rookie T.J. Bass is playing the position to open the second half.
And in that second half? Martin exited with an ankle problem, meaning another rookie, fifth-rounder Asim Richards, had to finish the game.
“I’ll be all right,'' Martin said in the postgame locker room. "I would have stayed in there if it was a tight game.”
More about that first half. ...
Prescott has also completed passes to seven different receivers, with CeeDee Lamb leading the way with seven receptions for 106 yards. The young tight end group has shined as well, with Jake Ferguson and Luke Schoonmaker each scoring touchdowns. Aside from a fumble by Lamb, which the Cowboys recovered, it's been a great offensive showing.
On the other side of the ball, the Cowboys have been similarly impressive. They've held the Jets to 153 yards and just six first downs. While Dallas hasn't forced a turnover yet, it does have a big sack courtesy of star linebacker Micah Parsons.
It would be a nearly perfect half, but one play managed to get away from Dallas. Halfway through the second quarter, Jets receiver Garrett Wilson took a pass over the middle from Zach Wilson and burned past the Cowboys' defense for a 68-yard touchdown. With how much Dallas had suffocated New York, that play suddenly gave the Jets some much-needed life on offense.
While Wilson has been largely ineffective in the passing game, he has hurt the Cowboys with his legs, racking up a team-high 36 yards on five carries.
Despite the one defensive lapse, it was still an impressive first half for the Cowboys. They held the ball for over 20 minutes of the half, and have been moving it well too.. Dallas has largely controlled the game, but just a few plays make it a much closer contest than expected.
And in the end? Dallas moves to 2-0, with Prescott ending 32 of 39 for 261 and the two TD throws, with the defense allowing just 215 total Jets yards to go along with three sacks and three interceptions ... and maybe just a few worries about its wounded O-line.
