What a Difference a Kicker Can Make for Dallas Cowboys
So Adam Vinatieri at 46 is still kicking in the NFL. He has the NFL record for most points scored, most postseason points scored, most Super Bowl wins by a kicker, 4 Super Bowl victories, scored 1,000 points for 2 different NFL teams, etc. It's called football and a good or great foot makes a huge difference, mentally and physically for any NFL team. So when the Dallas Cowboys new kicker Kai Forbath makes all 3 field goals and 5 PATs (points after touchdowns) which is as many points as the Los Angeles Rams had until late in the fourth quarter, take note! And it changes the entire way a football team acts...book it.
Reliability is what the Cowboys need in all phases of football given there is enough talent for all three units. The offense has an Aikman, Irvin, Smith kind of outing. Dak Prescott passing for 15-23, for 212 yards, 2 touchdowns and zero interceptions. However, the running game was strong as both Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard both rushing for 100 yards and touchdowns! There were 2 drives of 90 or more yards which resulted in touchdowns not field goals and were assisted by effective tight end play! Kudos to Blake Jarwin who is a X-factor who kept the 97-yard drive going with a 20 yard reception and the hall of famer-to-be Jason Witten with a highlight one-handed grab and spin for a touchdown! Best to have and bring a balanced attack to a football game cause that will definitely travel.
The Dallas defense less defensive lineman Michael Bennett's overenthusiastic offsides penalties was seriously on point!! Dallas created all kinds of problems for the Rams, first bottling up running back Todd Gurley keeping him to 20 yards rushing for the game. Jared Goff who beat the Seahawks last week could hardly move his team for any points until the end of the game practically was intercepted by linebacker Sean Lee who then weaved his way into the red zone where the Cowboys promptly turned the INT into points.
Let's revisit the kicking game which had been a huge sore spot for the Cowboys until this game. Newly acquired Kai Forbath made field goals of 50 and 2 more from 42 yards and all 5 extra points. That totals 14 points. The Rams didn't have 14 points until mid-way into the 4th quarter! Kicking the ball out of bounds must be cleaned up, however, the points must be accounted for when this high-powered offense provides opportunities for the kicking game to produce.
It's one game that helps the Dallas Cowboys realize one of its goals which it to get into the NFL playoffs. Then, the next is to continue to play as they are able and get wins, yes wins in the second season. The second season is the one that really and truly matters, just ask Adam Vinatieri.