Cowboys Rout Rams

Dak Prescott didn’t lean on his defense quite so much this time.

Still, it was quite the assist — again — from cornerback DaRon Bland.

Prescott threw two of his four touchdown passes to CeeDee Lamb, Bland recorded his NFL-leading third interception return for a score and the Dallas Cowboys beat the Los Angeles Rams 43-20 on Sunday.

Sam Williams blocked a punt for a safety before KaVontae Turpin returned the ensuing punt 63 yards to set up Lamb’s first TD grab, helping the Cowboys (5-2) to a 33-3 lead late in the first half in their 11th consecutive home victory.

The streak matches the club’s longest since an 11-game run at Texas Stadium in 1991-92, almost two decades before AT&T Stadium opened.

It was a rough-and-tumble homecoming for Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who was replaced by Brett Rypien late in the third quarter after injuring a thumb on a failed 2-point conversion pass and aggravating the injury after catching another.

Coach Sean McVay said he didn’t know the extent of Stafford’s injury. The quarterback didn’t speak to reporters after the game.

Stafford led scoring drives on either side of halftime to help the Rams (3-5) trim a 30-point deficit to 16. But the former Dallas high school standout, visiting his hometown team for the first time as a Super Bowl champion, sent the Cowboys on their way with an early mistake.

With the Cowboys sending six pass rushers at him, Stafford threw behind Cooper Kupp to a waiting Bland for an easy 30-yard return and a 17-3 Dallas lead in the first quarter.

Three of Dallas’ victories — all by margins of at least 20 points — have come with ho-hum performances from the offense and huge plays on defense and special teams.

This time, Prescott became the leader of a storied franchise with his seventh game of at least 300 yards and four touchdowns passing.

Lamb had career highs with 12 catches for 158 yards, including another personal best with 122 yards before the break.

“You can clearly see the connection,” Dallas coach Mike McCarthy said. “These guys have spent a tremendous amount of time together.”