Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) reacts during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Cowboys block punt, leads to TD

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Oct 29, 2023 2:20 PM ET

The Dallas Cowboys special teams are turning it up against the Los Angeles Rams.

With 13:39 left in the second quarter, Dallas blocked a punt for a safety. On the next play, wide receiver KaVontae Turpin returned a punt for 63 yards. Afterward, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott capitalized, throwing a 10-yard TD to star wideout CeeDee Lamb, which gave them a 26-3 lead.

All. Three. Phases.

: FOX & NFL+ ➡️ https://t.co/yLMhJNTZjs https://t.co/NZjd7dBhuT pic.twitter.com/9YPAqQueEw
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) October 29, 2023

KaVontae Turpin's turn to make a play for Dallas

: #LARvsDAL on FOX
: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/Quwvdzpx7G pic.twitter.com/W3naWhN0cZ
— NFL (@NFL) October 29, 2023

It's good for the Cowboys that their defense and special teams keep making big plays because the Dallas offense lacks explosiveness and struggles in the red zone. Entering Week 8, the team ranks 16th in the NFL in yards per game (329.8) and 27th in red zone percentage (39.1 percent), per Pro Football Reference.

However, a defense that changes momentum and creates a good field position helps an offense trying to find its groove.

The Cowboys must beat Los Angeles to bolster their strong playoff chances. The New York Times simulator gives Dallas an 87 percent chance to make the postseason, and it will increase to 92 percent if they beat the Rams.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

More must-reads: