The Dallas Cowboys are coming off another big victory on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. Although America’s Team struggled in the first half, it was all Cowboys in the second half. Dallas outscored the Panthers 20-0 in the third quarter, putting them ahead by 19 points at the start of the fourth quarter.
In this matchup, The Cowboys’ offense was too powerful as Carolina allowed 245 yards on the ground, a season-high for that unit. Coming into this game, the Panthers were considered the number one defense in the league allowing just 45 yards on the ground through the first three weeks of the season. However, with a dominant combination of Dallas’ elite offensive line and the duo of running backs Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard, this appeared to be too much for that defense.
Not only did the offense step up, but so did this improved defense under defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. Allowing zero points in the third quarter was how the Cowboys managed to jump out to that double-digit lead in the third quarter.
Dallas has been one of the best teams in takeaways this season so far. They rank second behind the Buffalo Bills with 10 total takeaways and lead the league with eight interceptions. Standout cornerback Trevon Diggs has five of those interceptions to start the season.
Turnovers played another big role in this matchup as America’s Team forced not one but two interceptions in the third quarter, both by Diggs. The Cowboys also got to quarterback Sam Darnold in this matchup, sacking the former USC star four times.
Although Dallas gave up 28 points, the game wasn’t as close as the score says. However, now the Cowboys draw a game at home against their division rivals, the New York Giants. Here’s how they continue their win streak.
Dallas Cowboys: 3. Run, run, run
The Cowboys have found the most success in games when they run the football. Over the past three games, the Cowboys have been focusing on the run more than fans probably expected. In those games, the team is averaging 201 rush yards per game and has five total rush touchdowns during that span.
The success on the ground has not only helped alleviate the pressure off of quarterback Dak Prescott but also allows the Cowboys to control the game. This season, they rank 11th in time of possession (31:13).
Once again, in this game, the Cowboys should probably use the run as they have been. This season, both Elliott and Pollard average over 5.0 yards per carry. Pollard ranks first in yards per carry (6.8) amongst all running backs this season with at least 25 carries. Elliott ranks sixth with 5.3 yards per carry.
The Cowboys have been getting it done on the ground which has contributed to their early success. They also face a Giants defense that hasn’t been solid against the run this season. They are ranked 20th in the league giving up 122.8 rush yards per game and 24th in opponent’s yards per carry (4.5). Dallas has to run early and often in this game. With Giants’ linebacker Blake Martinez out for the season, running the football is likely going to be the biggest advantage in this game.
Dallas Cowboys: 2. Contain Daniel Jones
Although this may come as a shock, the Cowboys have to do their best in containing quarterback Daniel Jones. Jones is arguably coming off the best game of his career throwing for over 400 yards and two passing touchdowns against the New Orleans Saints. However, it’s his legs that Dallas has to be most worried about.
This season, the former Duke star has been a threat on the ground. Through four games, he has rushed 27 times for 188 yards and two touchdowns. The Giants have been using the 6-foot-5 quarterback more as a rusher than ever before. As a result, this is likely something that the Cowboys need to stop.
Last week, Dallas didn’t do the best job in containing quarterback Sam Darnold, who isn’t known for using his legs. Darnold had six carries for 35 yards and two touchdowns against the Cowboys.
With Jones running the football often, the Cowboys have to do their best to contain the former first-round pick. Nonetheless, America’s Team did do a solid job last season containing him even with that bad defense. In two games, the 24-year-old quarterback combined for just 11 carries for 10 yards. Hopefully, the Cowboys can do the same thing this time around as well.
Dallas Cowboys: 1. Force More Turnovers
The Cowboys have been a force to be reckoned with on defense this season in large part due to their takeaways. This team ranks second in total takeaways (10) and first in interceptions (8).
Nevertheless, the Cowboys have to keep this going. The more turnovers they create every game, the better chance the team has of winning. In 2019, teams that won the turnover battle won almost 77 percent of the time.
This season, Dallas has won the turnover battle in every game including week one against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Quite frankly, turnovers were likely a large part of why the Cowboys were in that game towards the end, speaking to the fact just how important creating turnovers is.
Now, they come into this matchup against Daniel Jones, who has had the most turnovers in the league since 2019. Jones has 41 turnovers (18 fumbles & 23 interceptions) in just 31 games played in his career.
The Cowboys have been forcing turnovers like crazy this season, so this is a juicy matchup for that defense. Even though Jones only has two turnovers this season (one fumble & one interception), Dallas has played him enough to know how to create pressure against the third-year starter. Creating turnovers in this game is only going to help America’s Team come out on top.