When the 2022 schedule came out, the Week 17 clash between the Titans and Cowboys was expected to have massive implications in both conferences. But now the Cowboys are already in the playoffs, and Tennessee’s fortunes won’t change, win or lose. The Titans can rest much of their squad, although the Cowboys look to carry their Christmas Eve momentum into the new year. Injury updates show who tends to get dressed up, including rookie Sam Williams, who had a terrifying call-up just days ago.
Elsewhere, we have more on Dallas’ big win over Philadelphia: A breakdown and alternate angle of TY Hilton’s defining moment, a look at details on how a play the Jaguars used against Dallas may have reversed the trend for the Cowboys, Micah Parsons’ new move that may sound familiar to fans of a certain age, and inside big games from Dak Prescott and DaRon Bland.
CeeDee Lamb is climbing the Cowboys’ record books, the lack of curtains at AT&T Stadium may have cost Michael Gallup a touchdown and a deep dive into the playoff scenarios that could yet unfold for the Cowboys. Here are the news and notes.
Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans on whether players at rest vs. Cowboys is the Right Choice :: The Tennessean
Already on a five-game losing streak, the Titans may not be very motivated to break that skid when they host the Cowboys. Win or lose in Week 17, the AFC South will ultimately be decided by the Tennessee-Jacksonville tilt in the season finale. With multiple players down and no material up for grabs in a short week, Titans coach Mike Vrabel all but admitted that many of his players will sit out Thursday night.
Week 17 injury report: RB Pollard and Henry miss Cowboys-Titans practices :: Cowboys Wire
Leighton Vander Esch’s neck injury kept him out of Monday’s walkthrough. Tony Pollard sat down with a thigh problem. Sam Williams, DeMarcus Lawrence and Jayron Kearse were all limited. Zack Martin, Dorance Armstrong and Noah Brown were esteemed as full participants. For the Titans, Derrick Henry, Bud Dupree, Amani Hooker and Ryan Tannehill were among 11 players who did not practice.
TY Hilton slays on Cowboys debut with 3rd-and-30 clutch: ‘That’s what I do’ :: Cowboys Wire
Hilton’s first take as a cowboy — and his only take on Saturday — was an improbable 3rd-and-30 that proves that perhaps the whole league gave up on the 10-year veteran prematurely. “I can still play,” he said. “If you think I can’t play then it’s on you.” If first impressions are to be believed, his addition could be a massive upgrade ahead of the playoffs.
Prowess in the clutch: Cowboys Elite 3rd Down efficiency proves decisive :: Cowboys Wire
The Cowboys are converting third downs at a faster rate than anyone, and they’re producing bigger plays than anyone in the process. The offense was particularly effective on third down since Dak Prescott came under center.
The angle of the end zone from Prescott’s red beam point towards Hilton gives the creeps: ; Cowboys Yarn
Of course, Prescott’s throw and Hilton’s catch were very impressive when you saw it from your couch on Saturday. But you’ll get a whole new appreciation for the ridiculous play when you see the head-on video shot from the end zone by Fox photojournalist Chris Hanks.
Find out how Kellen Moore stole stealthily and helps the Cowboys turn the tide against the Eagles :: Cowboys Wire
Hilton’s heroism aside, perhaps the real play of the game was a 4-and-1 run in the third quarter. The Cowboys threw a game they had never run before…and likely robbed Jacksonville after being beaten with the previous week. A detailed breakdown shows a unique formation and an unusual pre-snapping motion that caused the eagles to bite. Then Dak Prescott turned a false sneak into a perfect ball flip, and Ezekiel Elliott did the rest for a 22-yard pickup that helped launch a Dallas comeback.
Sam Williams on the crash: “I could have been gone” :: The Mothership
Life erupted before the rookie’s eyes days before Christmas when another motorist swept away his Corvette. “It could have been worse,” Williams said of the wreckage that destroyed his car and left him concussed. “I thought a lot about my son and his mother. I could have left so quickly, without seeing them to say goodbye. I was going home – five or six minutes from my house. Still bruised by the collision and the deployment of his airbag, Williams was allowed to return to training ahead of Thursday night’s game.
‘Making one more stop’: Cowboys CB DaRon Bland says team spirit sparked key play against Eagles :: Cowboys Wire
The fifth-round rookie hasn’t gotten a defensive snap in five of his first six games. But he has made up for lost time and now leads the team in interceptions. “Whenever the ball is in the air,” he said, “I think it’s mine.” But he credits his teammates for giving him the confidence to play as a potential defensive rookie of the year.
No ordinary Bubba: Micah Parsons’ new movement dates back to the 1970s :: Yardbarker
Brian Baldinger spotted a new move that Parsons seems to have added to his passing rushing toolbox. The linebacker used a momentary stutter pitch on several plays in Week 16 that got the Eagles’ Jordan Mailata in real trouble. Baldinger noted that Lions great Bubba Baker used the same technique in the late ’70s and early ’80s to great effect. Parsons responded to the Twitter outage by jokingly chastising Baldinger for revealing his secret.
‘Is this really happening?’ Dak Prescott gets rid of first pick six ghost in Cowboys win :: Cowboys Wire
It was deja vu again as Prescott helplessly chased a defender into the end zone for the second straight week. But proving the coaching staff’s assessment that the man never blinks, Prescott rallied and attacked for a sensational game that saw him reach a season-high in passing yards in road to a key promotional win.
CeeDee Lamb: Most yards in a single season since Dez Bryant :: Inside the Star
Lamb had 1,207 receiving yards Saturday night. It’s good for the 12th best season ever for a Cowboys receiver. This should dispel any concerns about the Oklahoma product’s ability to display true WR1 numbers. With two games still to play, Lamb has a very good chance of ending up as high as No. 1. 3 on the all-time franchise list.
NFL fans crushed the Cowboys and their stadium after the sun seemed to prevent a Dallas TD :: For the Win
Michael Gallup appeared to lose a likely touchdown take in the glare of the sun that shone directly through the famous AT&T Stadium end zone windows. And yes, fans once again talked about how the billion dollar room could use a good set of curtains. But the pictures are pretty.
Cowboys-Eagles coverage, awards :: Cowboys Wire
Cowboys land top wild card, here’s how victory puts pressure on Eagles in playoff :: Cowboys Wire
Dallas can’t be worse than the 5th seed. But there’s still a shot at the NFC East title, and it’s even possible the Cowboys could end up winning the No. 1. 1 seed in the conference. Granted, there’s only a 0.8% chance that the necessary seven planets will line up correctly, but the way this season has gone in the league, crazier things have happened.
Report: Cowboys DC Dan Quinn already in sight in Denver as Broncos fire HC Nathaniel Hackett :: Cowboys Wire
Quinn was a finalist for the Denver job when it opened in January, and his old friend George Paton will remain as the Broncos’ general manager. The property is believed to want a coach who knows quarterback Russell Wilson. Besides knowing him well from their two Super Bowl runs in Seattle, Quinn could also theoretically bring current Cowboys consultant Brian Schottenhemier — the Seahawks OC from 2018 to 2020 — with him to sweeten the deal.
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