NFL
By: Greg Rector
Dallas Cowboys (10-3) at Jacksonville Jaguars 1 PM EST FOX
Dallas Cowboys fans did not enjoy a nailbiter 27-23 victory over the lowly Houston Texans on Sunday while the Jaguars’ offense was very good against the Tennessee Titans in the first half and their defense shut down Derrick Henry in a 36-22 victory. The Jaguars are 3-2 in their last five games. There are positive signs at long last in Jacksonville. The Cowboys expected rout never came close to materializing. Take the W and move on. As soon as the Turpin muffed punt happened, the Cowboys were in trouble.
Dallas Offense vs Jaguars Defense
I said all during the draft process in 2022 that I feel bad for Travon Walker, being the first overall pick he has not as I said would happen been anywhere near the numbers expected for a number one draft pick. Not his fault at all. That said the Jaguars’ defense is still not all that impressive statistically. The Cowboys’ offense had another week where they threw the ball far too much. Of course, Dak Prescott continued his second-quarter struggles as well against the Texans. Of his now 9 interceptions 8 of them have happened in the 2nd quarter. 39 pass attempts? Again Kellen Moore what the heck was that gameplan? Of the two picks on Sunday, once again one was a bad route by a receiver that Dak will get blamed for by most. That’s happened far too often and at this point of the season is inexcusable to see. The biggest concern is RT Terence Steele who suffered a knee injury against the Texans. As I write this it was reported the worst fears are coming true, Steele has torn his ACL and that will end his season Josh Ball was simply brutal as his replacement and the Cowboys were saved by Jason Peters moving over to play RT. Many are hoping that Tyron Smith returns this week and he likely will. I can’t believe he can play a full game at LT and now the RT spot has a huge question mark. This of course will impact the ground game. It’s December and realistically is there anyone who could step in and make a difference? LT Tyron Smith, LG Tyler Smith, C Tyler Biadasz, RG Zack Martin, RT Jason Peters. That’s asking a whole lot from 40-year-old Peters to play on his much weaker side and expect Tyron to play a lot. Definitely, Conor McGovern would also play LG and Tyler Smith would need to play at LT as well on snaps as well. Once again the Cowboys and Cowboys Nation have entered a “Welcome to my Nightmare,” (not the Alice Cooper song), the reality of the NFL thanks to an injury. Jake Ferguson (Head/neck), was also unable to finish this game. I absolutely did not like the 4th and goal attempt either. It was so easy to see the Texans were loaded up for that stop.
Jaguars Offense vs Cowboys Defense
Once again Cowboys fans can thank the defense for another win. I always say I care about the end results far more than individual contributions. The Cowboys’ defense had timely turnovers and that led to the win over the Texans. Also once Dameon Pierce was out of the game due to an injury the Texans’ ground game was not as effective as they were earlier in the game. Somehow the number two defense for sacks in the league didn’t have any against Mills and Driskell. With Trevor Lawrence either being quite good or quite bad depending on the week the Cowboys’ best hope this week is one where he looks to have regressed rather than being the “franchise savior,” he’s been looked at as a former first overall draft pick. The focus for Dallas has to be getting back to terrorizing a quarterback, especially one who has looked awful at times under pressure. The anger the Cowboys played with after the Packers’ loss wasn’t apparent against Houston at all. That may have been the worst part of the game on Sunday for me. The Texans’ offensive line outside of Tunsil isn’t good at all and you get no sacks in a game you should have been padding the statistics. Give the Texans credit for preventing any sacks at all. Houston took advantage of the short fields thanks to the turnovers and that happens to even the best NFL defenses. They did just enough but the Jaguars are a better offense and if the Cowboys’ defense allows them to play their game it will be an ugly afternoon in Florida.
Prediction
It’s a back-to-basics approach needed this week for the Dallas Cowboys. A slow start, turning the ball over, and not running the football down an opponent’s throat simply can’t happen this week. We know the reasons the Cowboys win games. It’s not with 39 passes. The first drive versus Houston was Cowboys’ football. Pollard and Elliott had 55 yards on that drive and that must be the approach for this week. With the possibility quite high the offensive line will be a weaker unit it’s much easier to get a ground game going than relying on Prescott and the receivers. Where was Ceedee Lamb in the game plan? The AFC South has proven to be much harder for the Cowboys than most would have thought. Yet again every well-known criticism of the Cowboys is out there deservedly so. They should continue the winning streak despite all the issues. The one thing I really respect is the resiliency the Cowboys have shown this season. That said I believe they will get their 11th win of the season and defeat the Jaguars 24-20. They can clinch a playoff spot with a win against the Jaguars. Maybe that will be just enough motivation?
Defensive Player Of The Year
Sorry Cowboys fans as long as Nick Bosa can stay on the field he is this year’s DPOY. Again as an individual thing, I am not a big fan of debating these awards. Micah is a fantastic player and he will likely be in these conversations for many years. Objectively Bosa is the better DPOY candidate right now. That could change if Parsons goes crazy this last month, but the primary focus needs to be on the team’s winning and losing games.
As always you can find me on Twitter @GregCowboys
