FRISCO, Texas 鈥 Through two games, the returns on new Cowboys DT Quinnen Williams are about as good as they could possibly be.
In 73 snaps, Williams has 1.5 sacks, 13 pressures including a career-high eight on Sunday against the Eagles and has helped the Cowboys defense allow just 90 total yards rushing the last two weeks. While he's been the big name that's gotten the attention for Dallas' drastic defensive improvement the last two games, he believes the entire defensive unit deserves credit.
"I think everybody's taking accountability and trying to do the things that we can individually do to win football games. You got guys like [DeMarvion] Overshown coming back, he's playing great football. You got Logan Wilson here, and you got guys in the defensive line room who have just been balling and doing the things that they can do to win football games." Williams said.
"I think we're hitting our stride and it's all coming together. Like I always say, one person can't change everything around, I can't go out there and do everything on my own. Nobody can. This is a team sport, and I just think we're all putting our heads together and executing as one."
And execute they did. After allowing three touchdowns on Philadelphia's three opening drives on offense, the Cowboys defense put together eight consecutive stops the rest of the way to allow their offense to score 24 unanswered points in an improbably victory.
"Any win is a big win, especially for this organization," Williams said. "For me personally, no matter what the team is, no matter what situation, being down 21-0 man, to see the accountability that we took in the locker room and the constructive criticism that we owned up to in the locker room, to come out in the second half and be able to execute to the best of our ability was amazing to see and amazing to be a part of."
Was there any point in the game where Williams knew the game had flipped on its head?
"I just put my head down and try to win every single rep, every single rush to be the best person and player I can to help this team win," Williams said. "I really wasn't looking at the moments."
The moment that did end up coming through was Dallas' one and only sack on the night, from Osa Odighizuwa while the Eagles had third and two on their own 37 with the sack moving them back 12 yards and forcing a punt. Williams recalled the defensive line unit being frustrated with how they started the game, and pushing themselves to be better in the second half in order to make plays like that.
"The defensive line kind of just told each other we got to playmakers in our room, and we got to go out here and make plays," Williams said. "In the run game, in the pass game, somebody in the defensive line room has to make a play. And then Osa made one of the game changing plays that he made. A lot of guys in that room made a game changing play. It's super dope to be a part of the amazing group that we have."
Cowboys owner/GM Jerry Jones has been effusive in his praise for Williams since acquiring him at the trade deadline, calling him an "integral" piece for Dallas in the present and the future. The respect was mutual from Williams.
"It's an honor, a guy like him who's been around great football players his whole life and his whole career in this industry," Williams said. "The biggest thing I came here to do is just do the best I can to help this team win football games鈥 He took a chance on me, this organization took a chance on me by trading for me, and the best I can is give my all."
On one of Williams' pass rushes, Eagles RB Saquon Barkley gave Williams a shot to the ribs while he chipped him in pass protection. While he returned to the game and continued to play, Williams acknowledged that it was an injury that'll need to be tended to this week.
"Yea, Saquon did get me," Williams said with a laugh. "They're kind of banged up right now. I'm going to do some treatment and some rehab and things like that to get ready for Thursday."
That said, Williams returning to the game should serve as evidence that he'll likely be able to play against the Chiefs in three days, another massive game for Dallas.
