The Dallas Cowboys are coming off of a tough loss to Tampa Bay in Week 1 after a really gutsy performance. From Dak Prescott showing he is back and on a mission, to the defense, albeit not great overall, making timely plays, the team showed something. That only goes so far though, and the Cowboys need to bounce back this week against the Los Angeles Chargers.
There are some matchups on both sides of the ball that are going to be interesting and keys to this game. The Cowboys should be prepared for these matchups and figure out how to exploit any advantages they have or at least manage any disadvantages to limit catastrophe. Let’s take a look at a few intriguing matchups that stand out to me.
Dallas Cowboys DBs vs. Keenan Allen and Justin Herbert
Keenan Allen, wide receiver, showed up big time last week. The prolific route runner went for 100 yards and appears to be the favorite target of quarterback, Justin Herbert. Against a Washington Football Team defense, that many think is elite, Herbert completed nearly two-thirds of his passes for well over 300 yards.
This tandem is lethal if they can get it going. Allen is going to be a mismatch for most of the Cowboys’ secondary if he spends the afternoon running in green grass. Cowboys cornerback, Trevon Diggs, is coming off of a stellar performance holding Tampa Bay wide receiver, Mike Evans, to a measly one reception for ten yards. Diggs guarded Evans on 83% of the snaps.
Expect to see the same tendency as the Cowboys look to slow down Keenan Allen. While Diggs primarily played press against Evans due to him being more of a big-body possession receiver, playing an off-man technique may suit him better this week.
Allen is one of, if not the best receiver in the league at clearing space with his release and usage in motion. Running with Allen in man and using his speed could be how Diggs provides the Cowboys another stellar performance.
Diggs likely will, and should, be following Allen wherever he lines up on Sunday. The Chargers will likely try to move Allen via motion or lining him up in the slot to create a mismatch on other Cowboys defensive backs who were, at best, suspect against Tampa.
This is an area the Cowboys need to give help over the top or they could be in for a long day. The Cowboys’ defensive performance this week very likely rides on just how successfully they slow down Herbert and Allen.
Dallas Cowboys Offensive Line vs. Joey Bosa
The Cowboys’ offensive line faces yet another question mark as tackle, La’el Collins, received a five-game suspension for violating the NFL’s drug-testing policy. This is a huge blow to a group already being patchworked together more than anyone would like. That said, not all is a loss.
Connor McGovern stepped in for Zack Martin last week being out due to a positive COVID-19 test. The Penn State product filled in nicely. You didn’t hear much of his name during the broadcast and that might be the best-case scenario for a lineman stepping on for a perennial Pro Bowl talent on short notice. Facing Vita Vea and Ndamukong Suh was birth by fire and McGovern showed he can hang in there.
Martin should be returning for the Week 2 matchup against the Chargers. The plan, per general manager Jerry Jones, is to start Terence Steele at right tackle and slot Martin back into his normal guard position.
The Chargers will have defensive end Joey Bosa ready to continue his destructive path in the NFL. Bosa, who signed a 5-year, $135 million contract extension with the Chargers last year, started his 2021 campaign off by recording a sack in Week 1.
Steele stepping in outside creates the matchup of him and Bosa going at it. With Steele taking on a top-level pass rusher, the Cowboys must account for Bosa with a tight end and running back help to slow him down. This is a heavyweight battle in the trenches and one that may not be an advantage for either side, but at the worst, if the Cowboys can neutralize Bosa, it may be just as useful.
Dallas Cowboys Wide Receivers vs. Chargers Slot Defenders
The Dallas Cowboys received the unfortunate news that wide receiver, Michael Gallup, will be placed on the injured reserve and unavailable until Week 5 due to a calf strain suffered in Week 1. This is a loss to a stellar group of receivers that makes things a little interesting in the game plan this week.
Cowboys fans saw quarterback, Dak Prescott, drop back and sling it all around the field against the Bucs. His arsenal of weapons gave him favorable matchups he was able to exploit most of the evening. Losing Gallup makes things a little tougher on this group as he was a proven starter in the league and his loss shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Luckily, the Cowboys employ Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb, two receivers very much capable of playing outside or in the slot. Cooper put up an outstanding Week 1 game and while Lamb did have some issues with drops last week, those are not an area of concern for me just yet.
Each of them still surpassed 100 yards receiving and found the end zone. Moving these two around, like the Chargers will do with Keenan Allen via motion and formations, will be key to getting them favorable matchups.
The Chargers will put Chris Harris Jr. as their slot corner with Michael Davis and Asante Samuel Jr. as the outside cornerbacks. Harris is a proven asset in the league with 149 games, four Pro Bowl selections, and one First-Team All-Pro selection. Michael Davis has appeared in 60 games while rookie Asante Samuel Jr. has one game under his belt. The Cowboys attacking these two is where I believe they have an advantage.
Cooper and Lamb can each play inside and outside without much issue. Look for these two to move all-around to get themselves matched up with anyone aside from Chris Harris Jr. and find a pre-snap mismatch. Cowboys wide receiver, Cedrick Wilson, also is capable of stepping up as a reliable third option as he still chipped in three catches during the season opener.
The Dallas Cowboys have the firepower on offense to hang with the Chargers, but it would be game-changing if Trevon Diggs and the secondary can slow down Keenan Allen. The Chargers have defensive talent in Joey Bosa and Chris Harris Jr. that will make the Cowboys earn their yards and points on Sunday. These three matchups and how they appear in the box score should likely be quite telling in regards to the final result.