Keys to the Rams matchup?

[Blitzen]

Cowboys don't get to play these guys much, so the defense could struggle for awhile. I know the matchup seems to be more favorable because of NO success inside their dome (especially during playoffs). Goff is no slouch and can drop dimes all over the field (I've seen several plays this season where the throw was basically un-guardable). He does not have the mobility of Wilson, but I still think the Cowboys are going to need to get home frequently and early with the pass rush to disrupt that offense.

Obvious keys: do not turn the ball over (take it away from them), no stupid unforced penalties, score TD's on bulk of offensive possessions

Defensive Keys:

1. Stop Gurley-duh
2. Watch out for play-action passing and underneath routes used as semi-running plays (linebackers will have a lot to do with this win or loss because of how LA runs their offense). Lots of pre-snap mental clarity with lining up and finding the key reads needed.
3. Do not let Goff escape the rush and keep the play alive (when they get home get him to the ground as often as you can). Swarm the pocket.

Offensive Keys:

1. Get the run established early (Rams will be focused on stopping Elliott and putting the ball in Dak's hands to move the ball). Must come out super strong and let them know it will be a long day and tough to fill the gaps.
2. Dak must use the whole field and multiple receivers. Try to hit some seam routes if they try to cover the tight end with their linebacker. Get EE involved heavily in the pass game-I actually think the Rams are vulnerable in that facet with Zeke taking small swing passes and getting isolated on their linebackers and secondary. Dak must get rid of it on the back of his drop or Donald will tear his limbs off.
3. Hit the open wide receivers on the big play opportunities; 20+ yards (there will be a number of these available with the Rams keying so much on Zeke).

Overall-the Cowboys will likely need to score more points than they usually do. The defense will need to play super energetic, sound, and tackle really well for this not to get out of hand early. The Rams will score more readily than the Seahawks though-they didn't get to this point by luck. Stick with the formula, but the offense needs to understand that taking 8 minutes of clock without coming away with a TD will likely get them beat this weekend. Gotta score probably over 24 points to win.

 

[glimmerman]

Play great Defense. Run the ball and play action off that. Take some shots deep.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

You may wanna give Donald a little attention ........

 

[RxMan]

Score first and win the turnover battle.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

Cowboys don't get to play these guys much, so the defense could struggle for awhile. I know the matchup seems to be more favorable because of NO success inside their dome (especially during playoffs). Goff is no slouch and can drop dimes all over the field (I've seen several plays this season where the throw was basically un-guardable). He does not have the mobility of Wilson, but I still think the Cowboys are going to need to get home frequently and early with the pass rush to disrupt that offense.

Obvious keys: do not turn the ball over (take it away from them), no stupid unforced penalties, score TD's on bulk of offensive possessions

Defensive Keys:

1. Stop Gurley-duh
2. Watch out for play-action passing and underneath routes used as semi-running plays (linebackers will have a lot to do with this win or loss because of how LA runs their offense). Lots of pre-snap mental clarity with lining up and finding the key reads needed.
3. Do not let Goff escape the rush and keep the play alive (when they get home get him to the ground as often as you can). Swarm the pocket.

Offensive Keys:

1. Get the run established early (Rams will be focused on stopping Elliott and putting the ball in Dak's hands to move the ball). Must come out super strong and let them know it will be a long day and tough to fill the gaps.
2. Dak must use the whole field and multiple receivers. Try to hit some seam routes if they try to cover the tight end with their linebacker. Get EE involved heavily in the pass game-I actually think the Rams are vulnerable in that facet with Zeke taking small swing passes and getting isolated on their linebackers and secondary. Dak must get rid of it on the back of his drop or Donald will tear his limbs off.
3. Hit the open wide receivers on the big play opportunities; 20+ yards (there will be a number of these available with the Rams keying so much on Zeke).

Overall-the Cowboys will likely need to score more points than they usually do. The defense will need to play super energetic, sound, and tackle really well for this not to get out of hand early. The Rams will score more readily than the Seahawks though-they didn't get to this point by luck. Stick with the formula, but the offense needs to understand that taking 8 minutes of clock without coming away with a TD will likely get them beat this weekend. Gotta score probably over 24 points to win.

While Dallas doesn't play them much, Kris Richards is very familiar with the Rams and Garrett is familiar with Wade Phillips.

 

[jwooten15]

Key is for us to set the tone early.

If we go up 7-10 points early on, we will hold on for the victory.

We go down early, I'm gonna be scared.

 

[EGTuna]

Last year when they played, Dallas had a 17-6 lead when Switzer fumbled a punt and the Rams capitalized to make it 17-13 and that kept them in the game. The Rams then took control in the 3rd quarter.

The big difference in that game was Dallas had two turnovers (the aforementioned fumbled punt, and a Dak pick), and the Rams had 0. Dallas outgained the Rams in total yards (Dallas had more yards passing and running by a slim margin) and 1 fewer first down. Basically it was an even game that was decided by the Rams converting 2 turnovers into 10 points.

Obviously both teams are different than week4 last year, but the story remains the same. Take care of the ball, win on 3rd down, and stop the run to make the opposing offense one-dimensional.

 

[CF74]

Contain Gurley and their speedy WR (Forget his name.) Those guys have burned us in the past...

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Last year when they played, Dallas had a 17-6 lead when Switzer fumbled a punt and the Rams capitalized to make it 17-13 and that kept them in the game. The Rams then took control in the 3rd quarter.

The big difference in that game was Dallas had two turnovers (the aforementioned fumbled punt, and a Dak pick), and the Rams had 0. Dallas outgained the Rams in total yards (Dallas had more yards passing and running by a slim margin) and 1 fewer first down. Basically it was an even game that was decided by the Rams converting 2 turnovers into 10 points.

Obviously both teams are different than week4 last year, but the story remains the same. Take care of the ball, win on 3rd down, and stop the run to make the opposing offense one-dimensional.

Think the biggest difference now is they have pretty much the same D that we scored at will. On the other hand, LVE and Jaylon make our D a different monster than what they saw 2017.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

Key is for us to set the tone early.

If we go up 7-10 points early on, we will hold on for the victory.

We go down early, I'm gonna be scared.

Depends how much we are down in the 4th quarter. I have all the faith that Dak would lead the game winning drive if it's within a score late in game.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

Think the biggest difference now is they have pretty much the same D that we scored at will. On the other hand, LVE and Jaylon make our D a different monster than what they saw 2017.

Well the secondary with Peters and Talib is different, plus they added Suh but traded away Ogletree

 

[Zordon]

Score first and win the turnover battle.

This. A quick start is going to be very important this game. Put the pressure on Goff to perform.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

I said it last week, I’ll say it again. The Cowboys need to start faster on offense in playoff games under Garrett. In their four such games, in the first quarter, they’ve scored 0, 7, 3, and 3 points. That needs to improve.

 

[Whyjerry]

To me there is only one thing they must do extra special to win...must put Goff on his back, early and often.

 

[jsb357]

Dallas don't let one Ram go off and beat you

Donald / Gurley / Cooks / all have that ability.

and if a Dallas player starts getting beaten scheme in some help until beating stops.

Dallas has the team to control the narrative of the game but will they show up or not?

Dallas special teams players have been making poor decisions all year and my fear is that
it boils down to a bone head play on special teams.

 

[EGTuna]

Think the biggest difference now is they have pretty much the same D that we scored at will. On the other hand, LVE and Jaylon make our D a different monster than what they saw 2017.

Yeah, they added Suh (who's up and down, but was certainly up in in the 2014 WC game), Talib and Peters, but those moves don't seem to have made a huge difference against good offenses. They also have Cooks instead of Watkins, but will be missing Kupp who's an absolute stud as a receiver and a blocker. Missing Frederick hurts Dallas too, since he's so good at playing interior studs like Donald and Suh.

The Rams thrive on getting up early and stepping on throats. If Dallas can keep it close (or heaven forbid, get a decent early lead like last year), then they can force the Rams to play a style they're typically not suited for.

 

[Hook'em#11]

Score more points than the Rams.

 

[Yobwocs]

Force Donald to play Elliott, not Prescott. He alone can't stop Elliott, but he alone can definitely stop Prescott. Obviously depends on our line, no idea if Su'a-Filo can take him. Williams might just get motored by him.