Cowboys vs Titans Week 17: history, key players, projection

Cowboys vs Titans: “Under the Radar” Players

Dallas Cowboys: Demarcus Lawrence, DE

The Titans want to run the ball. And they will want to run it a lot. Truthfully, they may simply have to run the ball as they start a rookie QB. With Malik Willis in there is a tradeoff. His passing attack has not yet fully matured into an NFL-caliber player yet, but his ability to break loose and hurt teams with his legs is extremely present. Last week has ran for 43 yards and a touchdown.

The emotional leader of the Cowboys’ defense is Demarcus Lawrence. They are a group that has shown some major cracks in the armor as of lately and they have to fix things in a hurry before the playoffs. His run-stopping ability will be a massive factor in this game.

Any fan who says Demarcus Lawrence doesn’t produce is a stat-sheet watcher and doesn’t watch all the little things he does. His overall defensive line play is truly elite. Six sacks and nine tackles for loss speaks for itself. His Pro Bowl selection is evidence of it as well.

With Derrick Henry and Willis on the ground on a short week, the Cowboys’ main focus has to be slowing down the ground game and forcing Willis to air it out against a defense seeking out turnovers. Demarcus Lawrence struggled against Justin Fields, another mobile quarterback, and would be wise to learn from that lesson.

Tennessee Titans: Robert Woods, WR

Everyone and their mother knows the Titans are going to run the ball with Derrick Henry. They will do it until the ‘Boys can stop it. That is their key to success and something they won’t stray away from.

Should the Cowboys slow down the run game, the Titans will be forced to sling it against Dallas. Their main threat is Robert Woods. His stats this year aren’t overly gaudy this year with just 44 catches for 448 yards. That is more so due to the fact that Tennessee doesn’t throw the ball much more than a detriment to Woods.

Woods also caught six receptions for 105 yards in 2020, his last meeting against the Cowboys. He is a savvy veteran that can find holes in zones and convert first downs. Don’t expect him to put up CeeDee Lamb numbers, but if he can convert first downs, it could be huge in extending drives.