This Thursday night, the Cowboys reached their goal in Tennessee with a 27-13 victory. And although the final score reflects some difference, the truth is that Dallas suffered more than expected against some combative Titans who rested several starters. While not dazzling, the cowboy team got the result it needed to keep its NFC East divisional title chance alive.
In this matchup, it’s worth mentioning, quarterback Joshua Dobbs’ surprising start for the Titans was given in place of rookie Malik Willis. This was Dobbs’ first game as a starter in a six-year NFL career, this one on a team he joined last week. In theory, the plan was to save Willis for the game against Jacksonville. However, against Dallas, Dobbs got the credit to start that matchup.
Next, let’s look at what happened between the Titans and the Cowboys at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
First quarter
The first half began with the Cowboys on offense. Despite making some gains through CeeDee Lamb and Ezekiel Elliott, the Cowboys finished their first drive by punters. However, the Titans would also punt after missing their first opportunity to attack. This, it must be said, was due to a penalty that nullified a first down run by Joshua Dobbs.
In their second offensive series, Dallas would open the scoring. The Cowboys advanced mostly on the ground thanks to Ezekiel Elliott and Malik Davis, who filled in for the injured Tony Pollard. Also, two penalties from the Titans defense helped a lot in this series. Finally, the Cowboys scored on Elliott’s one-yard run. After Brett Maher’s extra point conversion, Dallas led 7–0.
Ezekiel Elliott rushed TD in ninth straight game.
Cowboys 7, Titans 0 pic.twitter.com/Wdt0GlnbO5
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) December 30, 2022
After a quick three-and-out by the Titans, the Cowboys would be back on the offensive. Combining short passes by Dak Prescott with runs by Elliott and Davis, the Cowboys were finally stopped on 3rd and one at the Tennessee 15-yard line. With that, the first quarter would come to an end.
Second bedroom
This quarter began with Brett Maher hitting a 36-yard field goal, putting Dallas up 10-0. With Tennessee back on the offense, Dobbs began racking up points heading into Week 18. The quarterback connected with Racey McMath for a deep 39-yard pass that would have put the locals in Dallas territory.
However, the offensive series would not be successful. Three shows later, Donovan Wilson would fire Dobbs for his fifth sack of the year. Then Dante Fowler would also sack Dobbs, depriving him of the ball on the spot. The fumble was immediately recovered by Micah Parsons, ending the Titans’ best offensive roster up to that point in the game.
Cowboys DE Dante Fowler strips Titans QB Josh Dobbs. Cowboys LB Micah Parsons recovers.pic.twitter.com/lyG1qQ4hRo
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) December 30, 2022
However, Dallas missed that opportunity. After advancing to the Tennessee 46-yard line, a poor snap by center Tyler Biadasz homed Dak Prescott. This was recovered by the Titans, who returned to the attack. However, the Locals had another quick three and out, and this streak ended in a punt.
The Cowboys struggled with instant trades last season. Much cleaner this year. But this doesn’t make it.pic.twitter.com/xdBQJjPd2I
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) December 30, 2022
With 6:36 left in the quarter, the Cowboys attacked again from their own 8-yard line, starting with a 15-yard reception by CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys continued to drive to the home 48-yard line. However, a pass from Prescott that rookie Peyton Hendershot couldn’t control ended up being intercepted by safety Kevin Byard. With this, Dak already chains six consecutive games with pass interceptions.
A Dak Prescott “interception” that bounced out of the hands of Cowboys TE and into the catch of Titans CB Kevin Byard. pic.twitter.com/lqNNynEbVw
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) December 30, 2022
This time, the Titans would take advantage of Dallas’ loss of possession. Starting with a 36-yard gain by Julius Chestnut on a pass from Dobbs, the hosts continued to drive until they were finally stopped at the Dallas 19-yard line. Randy Bullock converted 37-yard field goal for Tennessee’s first points of the game.
With 1:04 to play, Dallas relied on his passing game, his timeouts and a new Tennessee penalty to advance to the opposing field. However, Dak Prescott was intercepted for the second time in the game by Kevin Byard, this after a pass to Dalton Schultz.
Half of the turnover loaded Cowboys sends us to halftime with Cowboys at 10, Titans at 6.pic.twitter.com/FcVG35Il4v
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) December 30, 2022
Following the interception, Byard had a 28-yard return that left the Titans in opposing territory. Soon after, Joshua Dobbs connected with rookie Treylon Burks, who after avoiding a sideline tackle was able to advance to the Dallas 11-yard line. The locals would burn time out to send the unit to field objectives. Randy Bullock would be right again and the game would go to halftime 10-6 in favor of Dallas.
Third quarter
The second half opens with Tennessee on the attack, in a drive that ends in three and out. Subsequently, the Cowboys would have success in their new line of offense, this was thanks to defensive fouls committed by the home defense.
Fueled primarily by Elliott and Davis, the Cowboys made it to their own 31-yard line. There, with 2nd and 9 left, pass interference by cornerback Roger McCreary covering Cowboy receiver Noah Brown gave in Dallas on first down. However, one of the key plays of the match would come shortly after.
On 3rd-and-19 to pass from the Dallas 43-yard line, Prescott attempted a deep pass to receiver Michael Gallup which missed. However, defensive pass interference by cornerback Tre Avery led to a 51-yard penalty, leaving the Cowboys on 1st-and-goal. The Cowboys team didn’t waste Avery’s gift, managing to score after Prescott’s pass to Dalton Schultz. Dallas was thus 17-6.
This Cowboys touchdown is sponsored by a 51-yard pass interference penalty.
Cowboys up 17-6 after Dak to Dalton Schultz Td.pic.twitter.com/qCtQiDlBEp
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) December 30, 2022
Tennessee’s response was immediate. With 8:43 to play, the hosts returned to the attack in an offensive series that lasted six minutes. This, it is worth mentioning, fueled mainly by his running game and some timely passing by Joshua Dobbs. Finally, the Titans scored after a 7-yard pass from Dobbs to Robert Woods. After converting the extra point, those led by Mike Vrabel made the game 17-13.
Titans fighting hard tonight. QB Josh Dobbs finds Robert Woods for a fairly open TD from 9 yards. Impressive carriage by Dobbs.
Cowboys 17, Titans 13 with 2:04 to play in Q3.pic.twitter.com/jBGuoB4VgB
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) December 30, 2022
With 2:04 to play, Dallas would go on the attack again. After two scoreless downs, catcher TY Hilton had another big play on 3rd down. After a short pass from Prescott, the former Colts player gained 28 yards to drop the Cowboys at the Titans 47-yard line.
After this, the third quarter would end with a carry to center by Malik Davis for no gain. However, the Cowboys would lose center Tyler Biadasz on this play, who suffered an ankle injury and would not return to the game. Biadasz’s departure brought changes to the Dallas offensive line: Connor McGovern would move to center, with Tyler Smith at left guard and Jason Peters coming in to tackle that side.
Cowboys C Tyler Biadasz set off down the tunnel for further evaluation. pic.twitter.com/29tKEfs2PV
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) December 30, 2022
Last room
Starting from the last quarter, a new local penalty would favor Dallas. Following an unnecessary foul on Dak Prescott by linebacker Monty Rice, the Titans received a 15-yard penalty. Finally, the Cowboys would score after a 10-yard pass from Prescott to Dalton Schultz. Maher scored the extra point and the lead grew to 24-13.
Cowboys TE Dalton Schultz now with seven catches, 56 yards, 2 touchdowns
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) December 30, 2022
While the Titans remained combative, they couldn’t do much in their next round of attack. After several tackles by cornerback Nahshon Wright, the locals would eventually clear the ball. Then, Dallas would attack again in a series where Prescott passes to CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup stood out. After being stopped at the home 27-yard line, Brett Maher would score a field goal to make the game 27–13.
With 6:24 to play, Tennessee returned to the offense looking for a reaction to try and get close to the board. However, on the second play of the drive, Joshua Dobbs threw a pass that would be intercepted by Nahshon Wright. In fact, this is Wright’s first interception since his arrival in the NFL in 2021.
Nahshon Wright climbs the LADDER for INT 🆙pic.twitter.com/gnBsO8qyjE
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) December 30, 2022
After this, each team had two offensive series that there’s not much to say about. Dallas would end up betting both, blowing Wright’s interception and the Titans’ fourth failed conversion with 3:44 to play. The last offensive series of the match was in the hands of the locals, and with it the game clock expired, thus sealing the final victory of the Cowboys.
Due to the Titans’ decision to rest their starters for Week 18, many expected a comfortable victory for the Cowboys. However, the Tennessee team was much more combative. Even Joshua Dobbs’ performance in his first start was more convincing than rookie Malik Willis after Ryan Tannehill was knocked out.
Either way, the Cowboys achieved their goal: a win that would keep them in contention for the NFC East division title and the first conference berth for the playoffs. Now all that remains is to wait for the results of Sunday’s day. It will be up to them whether Dallas dates its starters against the Commanders in Week 18, or if they give them rest thinking about their first postseason game.