While the contest between the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams may have felt lacking in star-power as Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott and Jaylon Smith did not play, Cowboys rookie edge defender Taco Chartlon, veteran RB Darren McFadden and emerging TE Rico Gathers did their best to excite Dallas fans.
However, Rams QB Jared Goff led an early touchdown drive, and ultimately, a late field goal would be the difference in a 13-10 Rams victory. With that, we refocus and give you our PFF exclusive takeaways from the contest for each team.
Top 5 Grades
CB Michael Jordan, 91.2 overall grade
DI Tanzel Smart, 87.5 overall grade
C Austin Blythe, 82.7 overall grade
QB Sean Mannion, 81.4 overall grade
LB Kevin Davis, 80.1 overall grade
Performances of note:
QB Sean Mannion, 81.4 overall grade
With QB Jared Goff playing only two series, Mannion took advantage of a showcase opportunity going 18-of-25, including three dropped passes. It was mostly short stuff for Mannion, but his one pass over 10 yards was a post route that was right on target until Xavier Woods knocked it out. Mannion also handled pressure well, completing 4-of-5 passes with his only incompletion the aforementioned post route.
C Austin Blythe, 82.7 overall grade
Blythe made an impact in the run game where he executed a variety of blocks at a high level. He made linebackers pay at the second level and he made multiple reach blocks to stonewall opposing nose tackles. He fielded the game's second-highest run block grade of 83.0. It wasn't all great as he airmailed a snap over QB Sean Mannion’s head and he surrendered a QB hit, but Blythe’s work as a run-blocker won’t go unnoticed in his battle to join the offensive line rotation this season.
CB Michael Jordan, 91.2 overall grade
Jordan played up to his lofty name making numerous plays in the passing game all night. On his five coverage targets, he surrendered just one catch for 11 yards with two passes defenced. Quarterbacks targeting Jordan posted just a 39.6 passer rating.
DI Tanzel Smart, 87.5 overall grade
The rookie sixth-round draft pick out of Tulane filled up the stat sheet and was disruptive all night against the run and affecting the passer. Smart recorded one hit, three hurries, one batted pass at the line of scrimmage and two tackles on his 37 snaps. He finished with a very respectable 11.1 pass-rush productivity mark.
Top 5 Grades
S Xavier Woods, 89.9 overall grade
Edge Lenny Jones, 83.7 overall grade
CB Duke Thomas, 80.8 overall grade
Edge Taco Charlton, 80.0 overall grade
S Robert Blanton, 79.1 overall grade
Performances of note:
QB Cooper Rush, 74.2 overall grade
The undrafted rookie from Central Michigan was one of the lone bright spots for the Cowboys offense on a sluggish night. If not for two drops, Rush would have finished a perfect 11-of-11. With those drops, he saw an adjusted completion percentage of 100.0, displaying a good understanding of the offense. The Cowboys only touchdown came on a nice seam throw from Rush to TE Rico Gathers.
G Zack Martin, 77.1 overall grade
The always-steady Martin posted the highest offensive grade for the Cowboys during his 19 snaps. Martin didn't allow any pressures in the passing game, and was solid in the run game with a 76.9 run blocking grade.
S Xavier Woods, 89.9 overall grade
Woods made plays all over the field, getting in on eight tackles, including a game-high six stops. Whether in the open field, against the run, or in coverage, Woods flew to the football and finished plays when he got there. The sixth-round pick is looking for a role in the Dallas secondary and he stated a strong case tonight as he played 31 snaps at free safety, 14 in the box, and nine over the slot.
Edge Taco Charlton, 80.0 overall grade
After playing 16 snaps in the Hall of Fame game, Charlton picked up his first career pressures as he got in on a sack and a hurry while playing 25 total snaps. While his sack came against backup offensive tackle Pace Murphy, it was important for him to get on the stat sheet as continued improvement will be crucial in his rookie season. He also got in on a run stop after beating TE Tyler Higbee.
PFF Game Ball: Xavier Woods, S
*Grades are subject to change
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