The Dallas Cowboys opened up their playoff run in type on Monday night time.
After taking an early 6-0 lead within the first quarter, the Cowboys by no means appeared again.
They had been up as a lot as 25 factors within the recreation and had been nice on each side.
However, together with the star gamers on the Cowboys, they acquired loads of excellent video games from some lesser-known gamers.
Listed here are the 2 unsung heroes of Dallas’ Wild Card victory.
1. Tyler Smith, Left Guard/Left Deal with
One participant who has been glorious for the Cowboys this season is rookie first-round choose Tyler Smith.
Smith began the 12 months because the staff’s left sort out, the place he performed a lot of the snaps throughout his first 12 months.
However, come playoff time, he was their beginning left guard.
Smith has the flexibility to play each sort out and guard at a excessive stage.
So as soon as Jason Peters left the sport with an harm, Smith has to maneuver from guard to sort out mid-game.
Cowboys rookie Tyler Smith appears to dump a defender like this each recreation. This time, Bucs LB Devin White on fallacious finish. Versatility to play each LG and LT should not be taken without any consideration. Youngest participant in constructing seamlessly kicked exterior in playoff win after Jason Peters’ exit. pic.twitter.com/DTmCmWfXe6
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) January 17, 2023
That was no concern for him although because the 21-year-old didn’t enable a strain within the recreation.
He’ll as soon as once more be counted on towards a stout 49ers go rush within the Divisional Spherical.
2. Israel Mukuamu, Cornerback
The Cowboys got here into Wild Card weekend with an issue at cornerback.
After weeks of making an attempt to determine who will play CB3, the Cowboys have seemingly discovered their man.
Israel Mukuamu was superior for Dallas on Monday night time.
Israel Mukuamu performed 24 snaps in protection from the slot towards TB, and he allowed simply 2 receptions from 5 targets for 16 yards and a 48.8 passer ranking.
Appears just like the #Cowboys have discovered CB3.
— John Proudly owning (@JohnOwning) January 17, 2023
He set a season-high for snaps performed with 37 in whole and had two passes defended in that point.
As an entire, the Cowboys protection was nice on this recreation.
However, Mukuamu and firm may have their arms full towards Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle this weekend.