Dallas Cowboys: 3 key things they must do to win Week One

Key #3 – Sticking With The Run

The Panthers strength as a team is their front seven, and the team is routinely one of the best at stopping the run.

With the Cowboys interior line shuffling, the team may struggle to run the ball out of the gate. The coaching staff has a difficult time adjusting when things do not go according to plan. If they decide to abandon the run, the team could be in danger.

While the team very well may have the advantage in the passing game, trying to get into a 40 pass attempt shoot-out is not what the team should be turning to.

The passing game thrives on play action, and even though the team seems to be putting more four-receiver sets into the offense; it’s going to take a few weeks for that to be clicking on all cylinders.

Staying true to the run at least keeps the defense honest, even if they are playing it well.

Finally, Elliott does a lot of his damage in the second half. Regardless how good a defense is at stopping the run, fatigue in the run game always favors the offense.

As the first game of the season, the Cowboys should test that endurance and feature Elliott heavily in the second half.

Ezekiel Elliott has the ability to break any defense and can grind it out for much needed time of possession in the second half.

This where Zeke can break one or suck the defense in and allow for a big play in the passing game. If the Dallas Cowboys can do these three things, I am very confident in their chances of being 1-0 come Monday.