The Landry Hat
Fansided

Will Dallas Cowboys make history, deny Giants touchdown?

By Brad Austin

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Sterling Shepard #87 of the New York Giants fumbles the ball against Sean Lee #50 of the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Sterling Shepard #87 of the New York Giants fumbles the ball against Sean Lee #50 of the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 29: Defensive end Tyrone Crawford #98 of the Dallas Cowboys, Demarcus Lawrence #90, and David Irving #95 celebrate after defeating the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on October 29, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 29: Defensive end Tyrone Crawford #98 of the Dallas Cowboys, Demarcus Lawrence #90, and David Irving #95 celebrate after defeating the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on October 29, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

DEFENSIVE FIREPOWER REUNITED

The Dallas defense is more complete (on all three levels) than the last meeting.

SECONDARY MAKING STRIDES

The Cowboys lose starting corner Orlando Scandrick for this game. Yet rookies Jourdan Lewis, Chidobe Awuzie, and Xavier Woods have all shown up since.

Which nickel coverage combination sounds more competent to Cowboys fans?

Anyone choosing the Game 1 option might want to recall Brown was benched last week for poor outside play and Carroll was cut in October.

DEFENSIVE LINE ADDS POP

In Week One, the Cowboys front line started Benson Mayowa at end and Stephen Paea at tackle. Neither player has a sack all year and Paea has since retired.

In the rematch Tyrone Crawford now starts at end and David Irving has returned from suspension. Their added 11 combined sacks is a monumental upgrade.

Not only will pass rush greatly increase, but the linebackers return to full strength.

BEST LINEBACKERS BACK TOGETHER

Back in September Jaylon Smith was making his first ever NFL start. It was his first real game action since decimating his knee in a college bowl game.

Sean Lee is set to return on Sunday after missing multiple games. This time veteran starter Anthony Hitchens will join the Pro Bowler for the rematch.

Hitchens has elevated his play to a high level this season. The two best Cowboys linebackers have only been in the lineup together four times this season.

Three of those ended in double digit wins against San Francisco, Washington, and Kansas City. All three opposing offenses failed to score 20 points.

The one loss against Atlanta has no relevance since Lee left in the first quarter.

Dallas now has a revamped secondary, two new starters (11 more sacks) on the defensive line, and their best linebacker combination back together.

This unit is much better than the one that only allowed a field goal in the opener.

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