DaRon Bland: How Record-Setter Compares to Ed Reed, Polamalu & NFL DPOY DBs

DaRon Bland (2023): 10 games, 7 interceptions, 5 touchdowns scored, 13 passes defended, 48 total tackles, 91.1 PFF defense grade, 29.1 passer rating allowed

Ed Reed (2004): 16 games played, 9 interceptions, 2 touchdowns scored, 17 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles, 78 total tackles

Bob Sanders (2007): 15 games played, 2 interceptions, 0 touchdowns scored, 6 passes defended, 97 total tackles, 90.0 PFF defense grade, 90.2 passer rating allowed

Charles Woodson (2009): 16 games played, 9 interceptions, 3 touchdowns scored, 18 passes defended, 4 forced fumbles, 74 total tackles, 92.1 PFF defense grade, 51.8 passer rating allowed

Troy Polamalu (2010): 14 games played, 7 interceptions, touchdown scored, 11 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, 63 total tackles, 78.0 PFF defense grade, 39.2 passer rating allowed

Stephon Gilmore (2019): 16 games played, 6 interceptions, 2 touchdowns scored, 20 passes defended, 53 total tackles, 82.8 PFF defense grade, 47.8 passer rating allowed

In short? What we're witnessing here is legend-of-the-game-level stuff. ... all unfolding one by one by one ...

“That’s a big moment, let’s be honest," head coach Mike McCarthy said of Bland's pick-6 on Thursday. "The sideline erupted. We’re very happy, very proud of him."

Bland's latest score was only one in a flurry for the Cowboys who took down the Washington Commanders 45-10 on Turkey Day, continuing their recent tear through the NFL and improving to 8-3 on the year.

The biggest thing for McCarthy, however, was not the score itself. Instead, it was the reaction from Bland's teammates. Everyone now seems invested in the young corner's performance, and he is not disappointing thus far.

“Man, what an incredible play, what he’s done in such a short time in his career,” McCarthy said. “And he’s such a humble young man. I think if you could just see, I hope you saw it on the sideline and felt it, the reaction itself is something I’ll never forget. 

"Obviously, it is NFL history, but the reaction when he came into the locker room. I think it speaks volumes about how people feel, how everybody feels, about him as a man. But man, boy, he sees it and gets it. The return was as good as I’ve seen.”

Bland's thoughts during the return? "Just go!" and he certainly did.

Can the Cowboys keep that same mentality? They still have seven days of preparation in front of them as they prepare to host the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football next week.

Kickoff between Dallas and Seattle on Prime Video is set for 7:15 p.m. CT. ... and a lot of eyes will be on the game ... and on DPOY guy Daron Bland.