Dallas Cowboys vs LA Rams Week 5: history, key players, projection
By Riley Donald
Cowboys vs Rams: Gut projection
Projection: Dallas Cowboys 23, Los Angeles Rams 21
The strength of the Cowboys’ defense is their pass defense allowing just 171 passing yards per game. They have held three of their four opposing quarterbacks under 200 yards and the only one above it was Tom Brady with 212. They are also third in points per game allowed with 15.5.
The Rams’ passing offense is averaging just 225 passing yards per game. To go with that, they only muster up 68.5 rushing yards per game. Simply put, the Rams are shockingly sitting with the 28th-ranked offense in the NFL in yards and the 29th-ranked offense in points with 17.5 per game.
Long story short, the defense has an advantage over the Rams offense as long as they don’t let Cooper Kupp get too much.
Should the Dallas defense stay doing their thing, they may not need a monster outing out of Rush and could once again rely on defense, field position, and taking well-timed chances. The Rams are stout in the run defense but sit in the back half of the league in passing yards allowed.
If Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard can combine for 100-plus yards, it should be enough to loosen up downfield play-action passes.
Micah Parsons hasn’t tallied stats on his own stat sheet the last two weeks, but the Cowboys are leading the NFL in sacks due to the attention Parsons demands. His pass rush requiring double and triple teams is what is opening it up for the other Cowboys defensive linemen. Parsons gets home this week for at least one sack.
This game could feel a lot like the Bengals game. It will likely be close the entire way with the Rams having the veteran experience to keep it close and make a few momentum-changing plays. Ultimately, Stafford, who doesn’t look himself this year, throws an interception that changes this game and the Cowboys sneak to 4-1.
