Limited, Tennessee lets go of the playoffs. Dallas can continue to dream of first place in the NFC.
Tennessee Titans (7-9) – Dallas Cowboys (12-4): 13-27
Two teams with diametrically opposed dynamics. The Titans remain on 5 defeats in a row while the Cowboys come out of a prestigious victory against their rivals the Eagles.
The objective of these 2 teams was therefore different. One should revive the dynamic to give himself a chance against the Jaguars next week to qualify for the playoffs while the other should put pressure on the Eagles to hope to win the NFC conference.
Reduced, the Titans showed a beautiful face, symbolized by the good match of Joshua Dobbs (20/39, 232 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT), holder in place of Malik Willis. But they were too soft (10 penalties) unlike the Cowboys who were opportunistic in the key moments of the game.
For the latter, it will be necessary to remember only the victory. If Dalton Schultz (7 REC, 56 YDS, 2 TDs) was brilliant and the decisive player of the match, Dak Prescott (29/41, 282 YDS, 2 TDs, 2 INT) worried about certain sequences which could be expensive in the playoffs .
Lost balls and missed opportunities
After a 1st Quarter overall dominated by Dallas with a well-established ground game, and rewarded with a touchdown from Ezekiel Eliott (19 carries, 37 YDS, 1 TD), the second quarter will give rise to a lost balloon festival. The record: 1 for the Titans, 3 for the Cowboys.
If the Titans had started the festival with a fumble of Dobbs, covered by Micah Parsons, the Cowboys will then chain them with the main character, Dak Prescott. Indeed, the Cowboys quarterback commits a lost fumble on a snap, then 2 interceptions, all intercepted by the same defender, safety Kevin Byard.
Unfortunately, Tennessee did not take advantage of this and remained behind the Cowboys on the scoreboard in a first defensive period. (10-6)
Ruthless Dallas
While Tennessee thought to make a good start to the 2nd period with several good defensive plays, the local team is caught up in their mistakes. Dallas wasted no time in penalizing them with 2 touchdowns, the 2 scored by tight-end Dalton Schultz.
Meanwhile, Dobbs completed his first career NFL touchdown pass for Robert Woods. Trying to rush things to get his team back in the game, he too will make another mistake by throwing an interception on Nashon Wright. What will seal the fate of an unbalanced match on paper, and also on the ground.
The Titans will therefore have to seek their qualification in the playoffs in Florida with the Jaguars, which will not be easy. Also, if the Jaguars win this weekend, a simple victory may not be enough.
Dak and Schultz connect in the end zone again! #DALvsTEN on Prime Video
Also available on NFL+ https://t.co/745fAOdlLT pic.twitter.com/jjG036EfOQ— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2022
