Scully's NFL Notebook: What a Rush!

Despite playing without Dak Prescott, the Dallas Cowboys stretched their win streak to six with a comeback victory over Minnesota in Week 8.

The Cowboys have become a major Super Bowl contender, and are among this week’s topics in the NFL Notebook.

Rush delivers in clutch

Cooper Rush started slowly, throwing an early interception as Dallas scored only three first-half points, but the backup quarterback finished Sunday night’s game with a flourish. Rush capped an eight-play, 75-yard drive with a touchdown pass to Amari Cooper in the final minute, allowing Dallas to prevail by a 20-16 margin at Minnesota.

The fifth-year journeyman finished 325 passing yards and a pair of second-half touchdowns in his first career start.

Dallas has cranked up their defensive intensity in recent weeks, limiting Minnesota to 278 total yards. Linebacker Micah Parsons, the overwhelming favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year, terrorized the Vikings, recording 11 tackles, including four for a loss.

New Orleans' defense steps up

Injuries continue to pile up in New Orleans, and the Saints lost quarterback Jameis Winston to a season-ending knee injury early in the second quarter of their Week 8 matchup against Tampa Bay.

Defense was the difference in their 36-27 victory. New Orleans forced three turnovers from Tom Brady, converting a pair of interceptions and a fumble into 16 points, and they made the three-time MVP uncomfortable in the pocket with a ferocious pass rush.

Brady brings out the best in the Saints' highly-ranked defense. Since joining Tampa, TB12 has had only three regular season games with five combined interceptions and sacks, and all three have come against New Orleans.

White leads Jets comeback

The New York Jets don’t have a quarterback controversy – rookie Zach Wilson is slated to retake the job when he returns from injury – but Mike White could make things interesting during the interim.

In his first start, White overcame two first-half interceptions, and a brief stint on the sidelines after knocked out of the game in the second half, to lead the Jets back from a 11-point deficit against Cincinnati.

The fourth-year signal caller ran the offense better than Wilson, completing 37-of-45 passes for 405 yards and three touchdowns, and White established a new record for the most completions in a first start.

NFL Game of the Week

Green Bay at Kansas City would have been an easy call for my game of the week selection, but Aaron Rodgers has been ruled out due to COVID-19.

Let’s focus instead upon Cleveland at Cincinnati, which may wind up having significant postseason ramifications.

Baltimore appears on its way to winning the AFC North, and it’s difficult to envision three teams from the division making the playoffs. Sunday’s winner will have the upper hand as the teams enter the second half of the regular season.