The RotoWire Blog has been retired.

These archives exist as a way for people to continue to view the content that had been posted on the blog over the years.

Articles will no longer be posted here, but you can view new fantasy articles from our writers on the main site.

Thursday Night Observations

I had Washington at pick 'em in this game, and for the first three quarters I really thought they'd come back and win. But the Cowboys offensive line took over the game, mowing down Redskin tacklers and showing it didn't matter much whether it was Alfred Morris or Zeke Elliott. The Cowboys defensive line also dominated, putting Kirk Cousins under constant pressure.

• Morris had 27 carries for 127 yards and a score, and he could have had a second one late, but the team used Rod Smith, who was less effective, instead. Morris is the clear starter, and in game flows where the Cowboys are ahead and don't need pass catching, he'll get the lion's share of the work. (Next two weeks are against the Giants and Raiders, and by Week 16 in Seattle, Elliott will be back.)

• Dak Prescott had two TD passes, but only 102 passing yards, 4.6 YPA and 28 rushing yards. He made a nice throw to Dez Bryant on the TD, but still looked shaky.

• Bryant had 7-5-61-1 line and looked good doing it. He outleapt Bashaud Breeland on the TD and drew a PI at the one-yard line that doesn't show up in the stats. It would be nice to see Dez catch a pass running away from the quarterback instead of facing him, but the Cowboys just don't seem to call for those routes from any of their receivers.

• Jason Witten caught a TD but it was his only catch, for eight yards.

• Kirk Cousins looked great to me. Like Philip Rivers, able to work with whatever skill players are still standing, but surprisingly mobile and able to make throws from awkward angles. Unfortunately, Cousins isn't Russell Wilson, so he gets caught more often when the pressure gets there. Cousins threw two picks (one threw Jamison Crowder's hands, one in late-game desperation) and lost a fumble, but two TDs and 6.8 YPA against a fierce pass rush was solid

• Josh Doctson had a drop but also caught a TD and did little else. The story of his season. Ryan Grant led the team with nine targets, five catches and 76 yards, while Crowder went 7-5-67, including the aforementioned drop. He also fumbled.

• Samaje Perine was effective for a minute early, but the holes closed up, and the game flow turned against him. His three catches for 31 yards were helpful though. Byron Marshall caught five of six passes for 24 yards, but showed awfully little wiggle for their supposed change-of-pace/third-down guy.

• Vernon Davis (2-2-15) was invisible for the second straight week. I have no idea why the team suddenly stopped looking his way.

• Dan Bailey, most accurate kicker in NFL history, looked healthy. He's worth a pickup for the playoffs during the Cowboys soft matchups the next two weeks.