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Dallas Cowboys vs Los Angeles Rams: Know Thy Enemy

By Terence Watson

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams rushes during a 20-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys at SoFi Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams rushes during a 20-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys at SoFi Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 03: Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams runs onto the field before playing against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on October 03, 2022, in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 03: Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams runs onto the field before playing against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on October 03, 2022, in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

What We’ve Seen and Possible Gameplan Against Dallas

We’ve seen the offensive unit struggling this season to return to their Super Bowl-winning form for a few reasons.

For starters, they no longer have Odell Beckham Jr. on the roster. Plus, the offensive line is dealing with injuries at the center position, and losing their left tackle to retirement has really set this team back.

The struggles of the offensive line have had an immediate impact on quarterback Matthew Stafford who’s dealing with the pressure off the edges and up the middle on almost every snap. The running game with Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson has also been affected due to the offensive line struggles.

So, how will this Rams offense decide to attack a Cowboys defense with one of the best pass rushes in the league? Expect to see a lot more screens from the Rams with Cooper Kupp and Tyler Higbee being the main recipients just like they were in the game against that talented San Fransisco 49ers defensive line.

Akers and Henderson will get more delayed handoffs in hopes that the pass rush will over-pursue, giving them lanes to run. The main person the Cowboys will want to focus on stopping right now is Kupp who currently has the most targets and receptions in the league this season.

It’s possible that Trevon Diggs shadows Kupp in this game in order to help slow down Kupp’s production. The Cowboys will need to force the Rams into third and long situations like they have will teams all season in order for that pass rush led by Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence to attack this vulnerable offensive line. If they can do that, then they have a great chance of winning this game.

The Rams are going to do everything they can to protect Stafford so expect quick passes for short gains to try and chip away at this defense. It will be a tough task for Dallas but one that they most certainly can handle.

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