Dallas Cowboys vs Buffalo Bills: Key matchups and X-factors in battle of the QBs
Cowboys offensive and defensive X-factors vs Bills
Offensive X-factor: Jake Ferguson
Jake Ferguson is a player who has the potential to be a Bills' killer in this game as the Bills' defense is giving up 4.5 receptions per game to tight ends, an average of 44 yards a game at 9.68 yards per reception. The Prescott and Ferguson connection has only grown stronger over the last few weeks and against a weak Bills secondary mainly at safety this makes Ferguson the obvious x-factor player heading into this game for Dallas. Look for them to target him early and a lot in the red zone this weekend.
#Cowboys Jake Ferguson is playing like a top five tight end over the past two weeks:
— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) December 12, 2023
• 68 routes run (5th)
• 21 targets (1st)
• 11 receptions (2nd)
• 149 yards (4th)
• 109 yards after catch (1st)
• 4 forced missed tackles (T-1st)
• 8 first downs (3rd)#DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/Oth4fn9uyE
Defensive X-factor: Carl Davis
Now that we know Johnathan Hankins is a long shot to play in this game the Cowboys are going to rely on rookie Mazi Smith and their under-the-radar practice squad signing Carl Davis who was brought in a few weeks ago. Davis has been a productive player in the NFL spending time with the Patriots most recently. He has the strength to take on double teams and clog up running lanes in this game, something the Cowboys are going to need against the duo of James Cook and Latavius Murray. If he can give the Cowboys the same or close to the same production that Hankins has been then it's a huge win for Dallas.
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