NFL Dallas Cowboys

5 Takeaways From Dallas Cowboys’ Week 16 Win

5 Takeaways From Dallas Cowboys' Week 16 Win

jason garrett
Getty Images

The Dallas Cowboys have solidified themselves into the 2014-15 NFL Playoffs. With their blowout win against the Indianapolis Colts, the Cowboys have clinched the NFC East. Although the Cowboys are happy to win the division, these team has bigger aspirations. Despite that, the Cowboys have to be happy about their Week 16 performance against the Colts. Here are five takeaways from Week 16.

5. Tony Romo Playing His Best Football

tony romo
Elsa/Getty Images

5. Tony Romo Playing His Best Football

tony romo
Elsa/Getty Images

DeMarco Murray was injured heading into this game. Because of that, the Cowboys needed a big performance from Tony Romo and he did just that. Romo completed 18 passes of 20 attempts for 218 yards and four touchdowns. With the playoffs coming up, he is playing some of the best football in his entire career.

4. Defense Emerges At the Best Time

anthony hitchens
Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

4. Defense Emerges At the Best Time

anthony hitchens
Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

With Andrew Luck coming to town, the Cowboys needed to get pressure on the quarterback. Dallas hit Luck early and often, and because of that, Luck never got into rhythm and he threw two interceptions. One player who played terrific today was rookie Anthony Hitchens -- the fourth-round pick out of Iowa had eight tackles and two pass deflections.

3. Jason Witten Continuing His Good Play

jason witten
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

3. Jason Witten Continuing His Good Play

jason witten
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Over the past two games, Jason Witten has become more involved in the passing attack. Last week against the Philadelphia Eagles and this week against the Colts, Witten was been targeted 16 times. He has caught 14 out of the 16 passes for 159 yards and a touchdown. With Witten getting more attention in the middle of the field, players like Dez Bryant and Cole Beasley have benefited tremendously.

2. Cowboys Are Playoff-Bound For First Time Since 2009

jerry jones
Bill Strelcher-USA TODAY Sports

2. Cowboys Are Playoff-Bound For First Time Since 2009

jerry jones
Bill Strelcher-USA TODAY Sports

With the win against the Colts, the Cowboys will be headed to the playoffs for the first time 2009. In the last five years, the Cowboys have had the chance to make it to the playoffs on three occasions -- in 2011, 2012 and 2013, they lost to the New York Giants, the Washington Redskins and the Philadelphia Eagles, respectively. It's safe to say the Cowboys are happy to be in the postseason.

1. Cowboys Can Do Something That Hasn't Been Done Since 1996

dez bryant
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

1. Cowboys Can Do Something That Hasn't Been Done Since 1996

dez bryant
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Throughout the 2014 season, the Cowboys have beaten the Seattle Seahawks, the Eagles and the Colts. Although they lost to the Arizona Cardinals, the Cowboys were without Tony Romo in that game. Dallas has shown this season that they can beat elite teams. Given their rushing attack and their offense playing at an extremely high level, the Cowboys, as crazy as it sounds, have the ability to make a run to the Super Bowl.

Follow me on Twitter @RyanRattyNFL

Share Tweet