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Dallas Cowboys Vs Miami Dolphins Gameday Open Thread

Dallas Cowboys Vs Miami Dolphins Gameday Open Thread
Matt Galatzan|
Dallas Cowboys Vs Miami Dolphins Gameday Open Thread
Dallas Cowboys Vs Miami Dolphins Gameday Open Thread

The Dallas Cowboys will take on the Miami Dolphins at 12:00 p.m. CT on Fox as the Cowboys look to go 3-0 to open the season for the first time since the 2008-2009 season under Wade Phillips. 

The Dolphins enter the day as arguably (or maybe not so much) the NFL's worst team, after beginning the season 0-2, and being outscored 102-10 in those games. The Dolphins will make a quarterback change on Sunday, opting to go to Josh Rosen, the young second-year UCLA product, over veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick. 

Recently released Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton, who was signed by the Dolphins this past week, will be on Miami's active roster as well. 

The Cowboys will have some roster issues of their own on Sunday, with defensive linemen Tyrone Crawford and Antwaun Woods, defensive back Xavier Jones, and wide receiver Michael Gallup all out of the lineup for the matchup. 

There are reinforcements incoming, however, with newly acquired defensive end Robert Quinn and rookie Trysten Hill each set to make their Cowboy debuts after being inactive for the first two weeks of the season. 

Darian Thompson is also set to start at safety for the absent Xavier Woods, while Texas A&M rookie Donovan Wilson will be the second safety at that spot. 

To replace the absent Gallup, expect Randal Cobb to have more of a featured roll in the passing game, and first-year Cowboy Devin Smith to get a lot of looks as well. Second-year Cowboy Cedrick Wilson, who was called up from the practice squad in the wake of the Tavon Austin concussion last week, will also be on the 46 against the Dolphins.

Track Cowboy Maven's live updates here for quarter-by-quarter analysis, or comment below and get in on the discussion with your fellow Cowboy fans. 

You can also follow our twitter account @CowboyMaven, and our staff publisher Mike Fisher's twitter @Fishsports and our columnist and senior editor Matt Galatzan's account @MattGalatzan for updates as well. 

First Quarter

The Dolphins came out firing on their first drive of the game, with Rosen connecting on a deep ball to Devante Parker over Chidobe Awuzie, putting Miami deep in Dallas territory almost immediately. The Cowboys would hold, however, forcing Miami into an opening drive field goal attempt, that was missed wide right from 47-yards out. 

The Cowboys responded on the ensuing drive with a big first play from Dak Prescott, who hit Amari Cooper for a big gain. The Cowboys opening drive would end on a field goal, however, with Prescott's third-down pass being deflected. Maher would drill the field goal, giving the Cowboys an early 3-0 lead. 

After the Cowboys defense forced a Miami punt, the offense marched down the field for a touchdown, as Dak Prescott hit Amari Cooper on a six-yard out-route, making the score 10-0 Cowboys. 

Miami responded on their next drive, marching right back down the field behind the arm of Josh Rosen. The Cowboys were able to manage a goal-line stand, however, holding the Dolphins to a field goal, and making the score 10-3. 

Second Quarter

Prescott opened up the second quarter with a poor decision on a pass downfield, resulting in an interception. After the defense held the Dolphins to a punt, the Cowboys were unable to move the ball on their next drive either, punting back to Miami, who took over at their own 35-yard line.

After Josh Rosen left the field with an injury, Ryan Fitzpatrick entered the game and made a big completion down the field, but was quickly replaced by Rosen a couple of plays later. 

A couple of plays later, the Dolphins on the board yet again with a Jason Sanders field goal, making the score 10-6 Cowboys. The Cowboys were unable to respond on their ensuing drive, as Prescott continued to struggle. 

The Cowboys defense was put on their heels on the next Miami drive but forced a fumble inside the Dolphins 10-yard line. The Cowboys did not have enough time to capitalize, however, and would head into the locker room with a 10-6 lead.

Third Quarter

The Cowboys came out of the halftime break on fire, with the offense marching down the field for a score on a Prescott to Amari Cooper connection, extending the Cowboys lead to 17-6.

After stopping the Dolphins yet again, the Cowboys wasted no time in getting back on the scoreboard, on a drive that was capped off with a touchdown run from Prescott, putting the Cowboys up 24-6, with 3:30 remaining in the third quarter.

Fourth Quarter

After a quiet beginning to the fourth quarter, the Cowboys got in position to add to their lead, but following a Blake Jarwin penalty, were forced to attempt a 55-yard field goal. Maher would miss the attempt, leaving the score at 24-6 in favor of the Cowboys.

On their next opportunity with the ball, and Zeke resting comfortably on the sideline  Dallas would seal the game with a rushing touchdown from rookie Tony Pollard, to make the score 31-6 in favor of the Cowboys. 

The touchdown run would also give the Cowboys a pair of 100-yard rushers on the day, something they have not accomplished since 1998. against the Washington Redskins.

From there the Cowboys would take care of things defensively, and run on the clock on the other side, covering the loft three-touchdown spread, preserving the 31-6 win, and moving the 3-0 for the first time since the 2008 season.  

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Matt Galatzan
MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan is the Managing Editor and Publisher of Texas Longhorns On SI and Texas A&M Aggies On SI and a long-time member of the Football Writers’ Association of America. He graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry in 2014, covering the Dallas Mavericks and SMU Mustangs with 247Sports. He then moved to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, eventually taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of the Longhorns and Aggies sites a year later. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels, including Twitter on @MattGalatzan.

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