Todd ArcherESPN Staff Writer Oct 29, 2023, 1:48pm ET2 minute read
ARLINGTON, Texas – Just 16 minutes and 21 seconds into Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams, the Dallas Cowboys had points from their offense, defense and special teams.
One was expected: tight end Jake Ferguson. There’s one person to be reckoned with: cornerback DaRon Bland. The third was a bit of a surprise: a blocked punt by defensive end Sam Williams that went through the end zone.
And to think, the Cowboys’ start was almost disastrous, with two sacks by Prescott on the first drive only saved due to a Rams penalty. It ended with Prescott’s perfectly thrown pass to Ferguson.
The Cowboys wasted no time in the red zone, which was an uncomfortable place for them (nine touchdowns in 23 drives), with Ferguson gaining the advantage over linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi and Prescott passing the ball just past defensive back Jordan Fuller, giving Ferguson the chance to jump attack.
In a way, it seemed like a throw that Prescott had made several times against Ferguson’s predecessor, Dalton Schultz. The touchdown was just the second on the Cowboys’ opening drive this season. The previous one was their Week 2 win over the New York Jets.
Bland extended the Cowboys’ lead to 17-3 with a 30-yard pick-six from Matthew Stafford after a throw to receiver Cooper Kupp. Bland became the first Cowboy in team history to have three interception returns for a touchdown in a single season, doing so in the season opener against the New York Giants and in Week 4 against the New England Patriots.
His last two appearances came as a replacement for injured Pro Bowler Trevon Diggs, who suffered a knee injury in practice before his third game. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Bland is tied for most single-season pick-sixes by Eric Allen (1993), Jim Kearney (1972) and Ken Houston (1971).
Stafford is tied with Dan Marino for the second-most pick-sixes in NFL history, trailing only Brett Favre (30).
Three plays later, Williams punched past Michael Hoecht and blocked Ethan Evans’ punt through the end zone for a 19-3 lead.
On the ensuing punt, KaVontae Turpin had a 63-yard punt return that set up a touchdown pass from Dak Prescott to CeeDee Lamb.