'TNF' takeaways: Cowboys escape with shootout win over Seahawks

In a game devoid of defense, the Dallas Cowboys escaped with a 41-35 victory over the Seattle Seahawks (6-6), improving to 9-3. Here are three takeaways from the Cowboys victory.

Cowboys defense is a cause for concern: The Cowboys defense made plays when it mattered, recording an interception while forcing three turnovers on downs late to help Dallas take and preserve a lead late. However, it had trouble slowing down a Seahawks offense that came into the night struggling. 

Before Thursday night, the Seahawks had averaged 17 points and 316 yards of offense since their bye in Week 5 (seven games). QB Geno Smith had arguably his best game of the 2023 campaign against the Cowboys, throwing for 334 yards (8.1 YPC) with three touchdowns and an interception. Seattle's offense gained 406 yards, their third-highest output of the season, after posting 489 yards on the Washington Commanders (Week 10) and 425 yards on the Carolina Panthers (Week 3). Meanwhile, the Seahawks, ranked 30th in third down conversions, were 9-of-14 against the Cowboys. 

Dallas's unit tightened as the game went on, but a more talented team will make it pay. 

Cowboys offense keeps rolling: QB Dak Prescott and company continued to victimize poor defenses, posting 41 points on the Seahawks' 22nd-ranked unit. Dallas's offense was nearly unstoppable, scoring on nine of 11 drives against the Seahawks, with the final drive resulting in several kneel-downs. 

Prescott was highly efficient, finishing 29-of-41 for 299 yards (7.3 YPC) with three touchdowns and zero interceptions. He connected with eight different receivers on Thursday night, but star WR CeeDee Lamb was his favorite target. Lamb finished with 17 targets, catching 12 for 116 yards and a touchdown. He increased his touchdown streak to a career-high four games, tied with Houston Texans WR Tank Dell for the longest active streak in the NFL. Lamb is only three away from tying former WR Dez Bryant (seven) for the Cowboys record, per Stathead. 

Punters took the night off: In a game featuring a combined 76 points and 817 yards of offense, it should be no surprise that neither team punted the football on Thursday night. When fourth down did come, both teams went for it, with the Seahawks going 0-for-3 and the Cowboys finishing 1-for-2. 

The Cowboys/Seahawks game was the first in NFL history to have 75 or more combined points scored with zero punts. 

It's the sixth game in NFL history (including playoffs) to feature zero punts from either side. This is the fifth regular season game to finish with no punts and the first since a Week 4 contest in 2021 between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. The Los Angeles Rams were the last team to finish a game without punting after toppling the Denver Broncos, 51-14, in Week 16 of the 2022 season.