The Dallas Cowboys proved in the season opener against the Cleveland Browns that the often forgotten third phase of the game, special teams, can have a significant impact on the game each and every week.
“Special teams matter too!”
You’ve heard it said before, but finally witnessed it in the Week 1 matchup with the Browns. The Cowboys looked fantastic in all three phases the game, but surprisingly it was special teams that helped seal the victory and put the first “W” in the win column this year.
While it was definitely a team effort, it was both Brandon Aubrey and KaVontae Turpin who made the game-changing plays for the Cowboys in the season opener on special teams. These two already look like they are the best of the best at their given roles this year and could give Dallas a slight advantage over their opponents. Add Coach John Fassel to that list.
Aubrey proved once again against the Browns he can be called upon as a consistent weapon from just about any distance when the need arises. He was a perfect 4/4 on his field goal attempts with a long of 57 yards and made all of his extra point kicks as well. He was even going to attempt a 66-yarder, then 71-yarder before the half. To our dismay it unfortunately didn’t happen.
Being able to trot Brandon Aubrey out onto the field from the 50-yard line or beyond and pretty much being guaranteed he will put three points on the board is a weapon any team around the league would envy. The confidence level Mike McCarthy and his staff have in their kicker could allow them to take more chances offensively they otherwise wouldn’t.
If Brandon Aubrey is Dallas’ long range weapon, then KaVontate Turpin is their field-flipping one. Any time he touches the ball he is a danger to take it to the house and he proved just that in the season opener. As a kick returner he had one return for 34 yards, but did most of his damage as a punt returner with five returns for a total of 96 yards and one touchdown.
If they didn’t know before, the rest of the league knows now just how much of a game-changing weapon Turpin can be in the return game. He can flip the field position in an instant, and it could alter the way some teams choose to approach him as both a punt and kick returner. Who knows how that could alter the game?
In Brandon Aubrey and KaVontae Turpin, the Dallas Cowboys have arguably the best kicker and return specialist in the entire league. Even though they are no longer secrets as to what they can do when the opportunity presents itself, they are the types of game-changing weapons who could prove to be the advantage Dallas needs over their opponents this season.
