NFL
By: Greg Rector
Dallas Cowboys (7-2) vs Kansas City Chiefs (6-4) 4:25 PM Sunday, Nov 21st
As embarrassing as the Broncos game was the total opposite was true of the Cowboys’ domination of the Atlanta Falcons. Every aspect of the game was dominated by Dallas. Special teams had a touchdown, the defense had three more interceptions and the offense was dominant especially in the red zone. That’s the type of game that sent a clear message not just to the Falcons but to everyone else. The Cowboys were angry after the terrible Denver loss. I’ve talked about how this group is different from the past few years and the mentality displayed during the Falcons game and afterward shows it. Micah Parsons after the game said, “I don’t think any 1 game will define us, so the fact that the way we were able to bounce back and be dominant, that should put everyone on notice. I don’t want to use my bad language out here, but we don’t want to be F’ed with right now, you feel me?”
That's our QB!!!!#ATLvsDAL | @dak pic.twitter.com/fvMkZFdrhw
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) November 14, 2021
This group is simply the strongest mentally I have seen in Dallas in a long time. That will need to be the case as they travel to Kansas City to face a Chiefs team that’s somewhat back to themselves after thrashing the Las Vegas Raiders 41 to 14 Sunday night. The Cowboys took out all their frustrations of laying an egg out on the Falcons, but after getting humbled, this bunch fully realizes that loss was on them and simply don’t want that repeated. Let’s look at this matchup.
Kansas City Offense vs Dallas Cowboys Defense
What has the Chiefs offense struggled with during most games? Teams using a two-high safety set against them, which has kept Tyreek Hill in check and frustrated Patrick Mahomes, causing him to make an awful lot of mistakes. What has the Cowboys defense feasted upon? Getting interceptions. The Cowboys have utilized a lot of defensive snaps featuring three safeties and have been for the most effective when using the safeties. Can the Cowboys’ secondary do the same, r will the Chiefs remain as they did against the Raiders at least, patient. That will be the chess match to be looking for Sunday afternoon. If the Cowboys can contain the threat of Hill, their next mission is to stop Travis Kelce. If the Falcons game showed anything it was the quick adjustments to keep the nest Kelce in one Kyle Pitts contained after he had started the game quite well. Kelce is the veteran version of course, so it will be a tough task for Jourdan Lewis and the company. Coverage and containment will be necessary. Cover the receiving threats and contain Mahomes from buying time or using his legs to keep drives alive. Teams have rarely blitzed Mahomes (A league-low 13% blitz rate against) Even if Clyde Edwards-Helaire returns for the Chiefs, I don’t see the ground game as being a huge threat to the Cowboys. Demarcus Lawrence tweeted out today one word, SOON. If he returns against the Chiefs that will make stopping the run a whole lot better off. There aren’t many better at setting the edge and it would also mean Micah Parsons could focus on being a linebacker on more snaps. This game will be decided however by the passing game. Mahomes can make this a difficult afternoon for the Cowboys, just as this defense can frustrate him as other teams have shown. If they cause turnovers that would be a huge factor. You know the talking head brigade of experts will be predicting Kansas City is back, and they will be unstoppable. Really? Yes, they beat up on the Raiders, but that defense doesn’t scare anyone. Remember a much better Packers defense held Mahomes to just 166 yards passing two weeks ago. This group of “Dawgs,” has responded to their critics on the field with their play. This is where the game will be won or lost for me, winning the turnover battle.
Cowboys Need to get Back to Winning the Turnover Battle https://t.co/pUznQ3btXy
— Dallas Cowboys Nation (@DCInterclub) November 14, 2021
Dallas Cowboys Offense vs Kansas City Defense
Excited by the Chiefs’ defense the last couple of weeks? Let’s not forget they played the Packers minus one Aaron Rodgers. They also just played a Raiders offense that last their deep threat (I won’t use his name given the circumstances) and had Desean Jackson in town for a few days only as a replacement. The Raiders ground attack has been pretty awful as well. Getting Marvin Ingraham at the trade deadline does help as Chris Jones can now play inside more. Here’s the quandary for the Chiefs on Sunday though, The Cowboys’ offense is fully loaded with the return of Michael Gallup to the fold. The biggest gap remains the status of Tyron Smith (Bone spurs) which according to doctors is going to be a pain management issue. My guess is they held him out against the Falcons simply for more rest and rehab and he will at least start the game against the Chiefs. If Smith can play that means Elliott and the tight ends won’t need to stay in to help Terence Steele with blocking at left tackle. Elliott had two spectacular blocks early on against the Falcons, so before folks get all bent that he only had 41 yards on the ground (2 red zone TD’s as well) just remember it was necessary to block more so Dak Prescott could have the time he needed to deliver daggers downfield. The Chiefs won’t face a depleted offense on Sunday. Chiefs sit around 20th overall defensively and will now have to deal with the full complement of threats the Cowboys pose on offense. If Prescott has time to throw I believe it will be a long afternoon for Kansas City. There is nothing this team wants more right now than to send out another statement, this isn’t a Cowboys team that you’re used to seeing. If you thought the defense played with a point to prove, double that for this offense. They were mad at themselves and played with a determination rarely seen in Dallas in many years. That’s the biggest difference and the most dangerous factor for opposing defenses. No one is complacent, no one is satisfied. That’s something I have screamed about for too many years as a fan of the Cowboys.
Intangibles and Prediction
The possible return of Lawrence and Smith could be huge for both lines as I mentioned above. Smith’s return would open up so many more options for the Cowboys’ offense. For the Chiefs, they will need to prove that they’ve learned their lessons from the previous losses. They will want to show that they have bounced back and are going to go on a run to get themselves into a more solid playoff spot. To me this game sees both teams wanting to prove something. The Cowboys have been the far more consistent team and I believe they will come out on top on Sunday. This will be a higher-scoring game as I do think the Kansas offense has found a bit of a groove. I have the Cowboys winning 37 to 27.
As always you can find me on Twitter @GregCowboys
