The Dallas Cowboys strengthened their case for being put at the top of NFL power rankings with a solid 27-17 home victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.
The victory marks the first time in franchise history that the Cowboys have won nine straight regular-season games. That was just one of several milestones reached in the impressive win at AT&T Stadium (more on that later).
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Some NFL observers saw this game as a classic letdown spot for Dallas. The Cowboys were coming off a huge road victory in a back-and-forth contest last week at Pittsburgh, and they next face longtime rival Washington off a short week on Thanksgiving Day.
Sunday was also the first time Tony Romo suited up as rookie quarterback Dak Prescott’s backup. Romo’s emotional speech on Tuesday about accepting the role got a lot of attention this week.
The Cowboys were fazed by neither the sandwich spot nor the Prescott/Romo dynamic.
Much was made ahead of Sunday’s game about running back Ezekiel Elliott — the Cowboys' other stud rookie — facing the Ravens’ top-ranked run defense. Elliott tallied a hard-earned 97 yards on 25 carries, but it was Prescott who really shined, finishing 27 for 36 for 301 yards and three touchdowns.
The Cowboys improved to 9-1, but the New York Giants, still two games out of the NFC East lead, kept pace with their win at home over Chicago.
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The Ravens fell to 5-5, and after the Steelers’ win at Cleveland on Sunday, Baltimore and Pittsburgh are now tied for first place in the mediocre AFC North.
Milestones
In addition to the Cowboys' aforementioned record for longest regular-season win streak in franchise history, several other milestones were reached in Dallas on Sunday.
— Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith recorded his 1,000th career catch. Only 13 other players in NFL history have done that.
Steve Smith Sr. just became the 14th player in NFL history to reach 1,000 career receptions pic.twitter.com/y79z0F3SQa
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) November 20, 2016
— This was the fifth straight game Prescott threw multiple touchdown passes, tying him with Dan Marino and Russell Wilson for the longest streak by a rookie since 1970.
Dak Prescott has multiple TD passes in 5 straight games, tied with Dan Marino & Russell Wilson for the longest streak by a rookie since 1970 pic.twitter.com/Dyd90HB6Ak
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) November 20, 2016
— Elliott needed just three yards to break Tony Dorsett’s Cowboys record for most rushing yards by a rookie, set in 1977. He passed Dorsett on his second carry of the game.
Ezekiel Elliott passed Tony Dorsett for the Cowboys rookie rushing record. Elliott entered with 1,005 rush yards. Dorsett had 1,007 in 1977.
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) November 20, 2016