Dallas Cowboys: 4 key matchups vs. the Giants defense

Time to move on from last weeks Dallas Cowboys game. Let’s take a look at a few key matchups this week against the Giants defense.

Last week the Dallas Cowboys were unable to make plays against a tough Panthers defense. This week the Cowboys face a tough divisional rival in the Giants.

The Giants are also looking to bounce back from a bad loss to the Jaguars. Here are a few key matchups to look at during this game.

Joe Looney vs. Damon Harrison

Center Joe Looney did a great job last week against the Panthers. In 64 offensive snaps, Looney didn’t allow any pressure on the quarterback. This week Looney will face off against one of the best run-stuffers in the game in defensive tackle Damon Harrison. Harrison has caused problems for the Cowboys in the past and he will be a major test for Looney.

If Looney can win this battle up front against Harrison then the Cowboys running game will have a strong showing. If Harrison gets the best of Looney then he will live up to his nickname of “Snacks” and give running back Ezekiel Elliott problems all day.

Cowboys Receivers vs. Giants Secondary

The Dallas Cowboy receivers are going to need to step their game up against this Giants secondary. Last week the Giants were able to hold quarterback Blake Bortles to 176 passing yards, one touchdown and cornerback Janoris Jenkins came up with one interception. If quarterback Dak Prescott is going to have any success this Sunday night his receivers will need to get open.

They will also need to get better at finding a way to get open when the quarterback is scrambling around and outside of the pocket. Last week they didn’t do a great job helping Prescott.

Dak Prescott vs. Landon Collins

While Prescott is the quarterback of this Dallas Cowboys offense, you can call safety Landon Collins the quarterback of the Giants defense. Collins, in my opinion, is the biggest problem the Cowboys will have in this game. His ability to take over a game in coverage and playing the run is well documented so Prescott will need to try to fool him and make the right audible calls at the line of scrimmage.

Offensive Coordinator Scott Linehan will also need to better scheme to keep Collins guessing and help Prescott. If they can keep him in check the Cowboys will have a great chance to win this game.

Dak Prescott vs. Dak Prescott

The last matchup that the Cowboys will need to overcome is Prescott himself. Last week Prescott just didn’t seem like his normal self. He was throwing balls at receivers feet and over their heads. The biggest thing Prescott needs to do is trust his reads and if he doesn’t see anything develop use his legs to start making plays. If he can do that the rest of the offense will open up.

Hopefully, the trash talk between Prescott and Landon Collins will also light a fire in Prescott to prove his doubters and critics wrong.

What key matchups do you see against the Giants Sunday Night? Tell us in the comment section below. As always you can follow me on Twitter at Watson703 by clicking the link here or on the link at the top of the page.