Cowboys vs. Titans: 4 bold predictions for Monday night

As the Dallas Cowboys prepare to take on the Tennessee Titans on Monday Night Football, here are four bold predictions for the primetime matchup.

Coming off a devastating loss to the Washington Redskins in Week Seven, and the entire bye week to think about it, the 3-4 Dallas Cowboys return home hungry to face a 3-4 Tennessee Titans team.

But the Cowboys made some exciting changes over their bye, the biggest being the addition of a premier wide receiver in Amari Cooper. With the two-time Pro Bowler making his debut in front of a primetime audience, all eyes will be on Dallas Monday night. And here are four bold predictions I believe have a good chance of coming true in the Week Nine matchup.

Ezekiel Elliott breaks the 100-yard rushing mark

Elliott has only rushed for 100-yards or more in three of his seven games this season. And in his last contest, he was stuffed to the tune of 33 yards on 15 carries against the Washington Redskins. With all the focus on wide receiver Amari Cooper’s debut in Big D, it’s Zeke who will feed against a weak Tennessee rushing defense.

Rico Gathers has a touchdown catch

With starting tight end Geoff Swaim doubtful for this matchup, it’s former basketball star Rico Gathers that figures to benefit most. Dallas has tried to set Gathers up for touchdown plays this season, but have failed. If the massive 6-foot-6, 282-pound red zone target is ever going to get his first NFL touchdown, this seems to be the game he’ll do so.

Dallas’ defense pitches a near shutout

The Cowboys defense has been playing at an elite level, allowing a league-low 17.6 points per game. Against a similarly struggling offense, the Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas held them to just seven points in Week Six. I expect to see a similar near shutout by this defensive unit with the Titans coming into AT&T Stadium averaging just 15.1 points per game offensively, the third worst average in the NFL.

Amari Cooper pulls in seven catches or more

The Cowboys want to get the ball to their newest player early and often. And they will make a concerted effort to do so. But the Titans’ secondary is the best part of their defense according to their own experts. They allow just 226 yards through the air a game, eighth lowest in the league. But Tennessee also has a tendency to allow chunk plays, and that’s where Cooper and rookie wideout Michael Gallup should find their most success.