VaqueroTD
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The line battles ALWAYS matter. If you can't bully a team, you can't win a Super Bowl. So, I'm going to stay away from the obvious and focus on some other issues for this game. Both these teams have a similar opportunity this year, they have struggled with their new offense. All of you realize how huge a game this is. Determines everything from homefield advantage in the Playoffs to NFC East Champion. If the Cowboys lose this one, they will be mercilessly crucified in the press and they will deserve it. Can't wait to watch it!
- DAK vs JALEN. Hear me out. I know QB battles are always good for the ratings and a thread.
- But the reason why Jalen still has so much disrespect from Cowboys fans is he does have inconsistency, and he really hasn't played us since the Eagles rebirth. Last year, he played Cooper Rush, and then he was out when we beat them. We beat him up when he was a snot-nosed rookie, but we haven't really seen a full-strength roster Dak vs Jalen game until this week.
- You can read the threads here and find them, but the big difference with both these inconsistent QBs? Jalen is clutch, Dak is not. Again... look at the numbers. Dak's stats or wins decline when he plays top dogs, Jalen just gets better. We want to see All-Pro Dak this week. Not another San Fran game. Dak has been on fire lately and if he can do it against the Eagles, the season looks promising! He knows this, he's ready. Let's just hope it happens.
- WR1 vs WR1. New offenses. Both of these #1 WRs were vocal in the public eye about their dissatisfaction after a loss. AJ Brown is still making some great catches when he isn't open, not sure how much of that is scheming like we are doing with CeeDee. Go search on YouTube for highlights this year and you'll see it. Dude is on fire! Saw a good clip on it on Sportscenter last week showing how much he fights DBs for his catches.
- Last week proves CeeDee is your X receiver against Zone! It's tough to find updated scheme numbers without paying for it on the net, but looks like Eagles are heavy zone this year? Continue to give him those opportunities that exploit zone defense. This team feeds off of CeeDee making big plays. Just watch those Sounds From Sidelines clips. We get CeeDee going, the team gets going.
- AJ Brown will be our biggest test without Diggs. Hoping Bland can handle it. Who is going to be covering Brown? CeeDee feeds off of zone coverage. AJ Brown feeds off of man coverage. I hope all our coaches keep this in mind and don't try to force anything.
- EARLY LEAD. Easier said than done. But you've seen it all year. Most of us knew the San Fran game was probably over when they scored early. Problem is I think the players did too.
- Cowboys fatal flaw is they are fast and undersized which is great for pass rushing, but when a team runs and outplays them early, they quickly fall apart. The opposite happens when they get the early lead. Defense starts feeding off the pressure, special teams always joins in with turnovers, and the game is over quickly. We've seen it many times this year! If I'm the opponent, I'm going to ram the ball down their throat early and get them out of the game quickly. Coaches around the league say the way to play the Cowboys is to counter their defense early. Play conservative, no turnovers, get the lead.
- Offense must be perfect on the first drive. None of this slow start nonsense that has led to some disappointing big game losses in the past. We are handicapped in a good way. Let that defense do its thing!
- This is all I have to say about the Defense. You give them an early lead. They will do their thing. They have proven it for 2 years now!
- OFFENSIVE STRUGGLES. The newest and probably biggest problem this year.
- Keep Gallup out of it. He's done. Don't care if Tolbert isn't targeted. Focus on Cooks and Fergy who are more than willing to pick up the slack.
- If you're not going to trade for a physical RB, can you at least try and rotate Leupke and Rico in there more often!? Remember that Rico was doing better against the Niners than Pollard. We NEED last year's Pollard back. He doesn't have it, give him more rest so he can be a playmaker again. Because right now you're just hitting your head against a brick wall over and over. He's not as bad as Zeke carrying the load in his last years, but we miss that playmaker.
- The X-Factor is who plays at LT. Some of this might not matter if we have to play Richards and he gets rookie-romped. My only encouragement to everyone is Asim Richards seems like a good kid who is committed to having success. So, if he has to play and looks rough as a starting rookie against one of the best defenses in the NFL, please give him a chance. He will get better. Nothing we can do about this but hope for the best. Owner/GM decided this in the offseason... a cheaper extension was worth the injury risks, and coaches see a LT who still plays strong when starting. Hopefully it works out.
