DaRon Bland, the cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys, made NFL history with his fifth pick-six of the 2023 season. This record-setting interception occurred in the fourth quarter of Thursday's game, solidifying the Cowboys' commanding 45-10 victory over the Washington Commanders.
Bland's exceptional play was part of an outstanding performance from both the offensive and defensive units. The Dallas defense showcased its prowess with four sacks, numerous fourth-down stops, and Bland's record-breaking interception. On the offensive front, Dak Prescott displayed precision, going 22-of-32 for 331 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions, complemented by Tony Pollard's 79 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Despite the star power of players like Prescott, Pollard, and CeeDee Lamb on the offensive side, Bland's emergence became crucial, especially in the absence of Trevon Diggs, who is sidelined for the season with an ACL injury. Bland, drafted in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL draft by Dallas, quickly made a name for himself as a rookie with 54 tackles, five interceptions, and seven passes defended.
Entering the Thursday game with impressive stats—38 tackles, six interceptions, 12 passes defended, and four touchdown returns on interceptions—Bland now leads the league with seven interceptions, making him a strong candidate for his first Pro Bowl selection.
If Bland maintains his high-level performance, coupled with the potent offensive output seen on Thursday, he may transition from being a record-holder to a Super Bowl champion as the season unfolds.
