Todd Archer, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Cowboys' role players play a big part

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- When the Dallas Cowboys met the New York Giants on Oct. 19 at AT&T Stadium, Cole Beasley did not have a catch. Neither did Lance Dunbar and James Hanna.

That 31-21 Cowboys win was something of a coming-out party for second-year tight end Gavin Escobar, who caught three passes for 65 yards and scored two touchdowns.

Since that game Escobar has just one catch.

On Sunday, Beasley caught two passes for 66 yards, including a career-long 45-yard touchdown grab in the third quarter and a 21-yarder on the Cowboys’ game-winning drive. Dunbar had a 26-yard gain on a screen before Jason Witten’s touchdown. Hanna had a 27-yard catch on third-and-1 that led to Dan Bailey’s field goal on the Cowboys’ second drive.

“Obviously we are going to try to get the ball to DeMarco Murray, we are going to try to get the ball to Dez Bryant, we are going to try to get the ball to Jason Witten,” coach Jason Garrett said. “When guys like Terrance Williams step up and Cole Beasley and Gavin Escobar and Lance Dunbar, those complementary players, they can really challenge a defense.”

Beasley’s 45-yard touchdown gave the Cowboys a jolt in the third quarter and was followed by a crucial interception by Barry Church on the Giants’ ensuing drive, which the Cowboys turned into the first of two Bryant touchdowns.

On third-and-5, Beasley ran a simple underneath route in what the Cowboys hoped would lead to a first down. Beasley shook free from one defender and received a great block from Williams to race to the end zone.

On the game-winning drive, the Cowboys ran the same play, except the Giants were in zone coverage. Beasley was able to find a soft spot and pick up 21 yards.

“We’ve got guys with tons of talent,” said Beasley, who had more than one catch in a game just three times before Sunday. “When they get their opportunity, they’re going to take advantage of it. And everybody is really hungry for the ball. That’s also a good thing. That may cause some problems sometimes, but it’s a good problem to have for a team. Every time we get our number called, we’ve got to take full advantage because you never know when you’ll get it again. That’s what happens when you have so many playmakers on the team.”

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