FRISCO, Texas – The Dallas Cowboys face division rival New York Giants in the last game of the regular season on the road. Dallas has won the division title of the NFC East heading into the playoffs, so Sunday is more of a statement game for America’s Team to showcase their ability, and to iron out the red zone and offensive line injury/penalty issues as they head into the postseason.
The Giants have predominately been a West Coast Offensive approach team in the past, relying on the pass, benefiting Eli Manning’s strengths with routes that benefited Odell Beckam Jr. New York’s No. 2 pick overall in the 2018 NFL Draft-Saquon Barkley, is changing the dynamic of their offense. In 15 games thus far this season, Barkley has amassed 244 carries for 1,198 rushing yards, an average of 4.9 yards on the carry, and 10 touchdowns. He has transitioned well to the league and has quickly earned his Draft selection by helping New York establish their ground attack, earning him a place in his first Pro Bowl.
Saquon has changed the way opposing defenses game plan and who they look for at the line of scrimmage. In the same way, Amari Cooper is opening up the Cowboys’ passing game with his ability to gain separation from corners in coverage. Since his trade in week nine to Dallas, he has racked up 48 receptions for 694 yards, a 14.5-yard average after the catch, and six touchdowns in eight games. Cooper has converted 36 of 48 receptions (75%) into first downs. He has only been with the team for half a season and has already been double teamed by the Buccaneers last week and the Colts used a cover two zone defense in week 15, placing two safeties deep in the backfield to limit Cooper’s ability downfield.
I spoke with Amari on the greatest attributers to his success in Dallas and he stated, “ They have put me in good positions to make plays. They identified things that I was really good at in terms of what routes they thought I was best at. They put me out there and I was able to make plays. “
The running game has been the Cowboys bread and butter for years, and is understandable with arguably the best rusher in the league in Ezekiel Elliott, who just surpassed the 4,000 rushing yard marker in his third year. Cooper has changed the game for Dallas and has helped a struggling pass offense evolve into a powerhouse with a 9-6 record about to enter the postseason with the divisional crown.
The Cowboys have improved in several areas since Cooper came to town:
Record- Before 3-4 After 6-2
Total Offense (NFL Rank)- Before 28 After 17
Passing Offense (NFL Rank)- Before 29 After 15
Third Down Percentage- Before 30 After 5
The running game has been the Cowboys bread and butter for years, and is understandable with arguably the best rusher in the league in Ezekiel Elliott, who just surpassed the 4,000 rushing yard marker in his third year. Cooper has changed the game for Dallas and has helped a struggling pass offense evolve into a powerhouse with a 9-6 record about to enter the postseason with the divisional crown. The Cowboys have improved in several areas since Cooper came to town:
Record- Before 3-4 After 6-2
Total Offense (NFL Rank)- Before 28 After 17
Passing Offense (NFL Rank)- Before 29 After 15
Third Down Percentage- Before 30 After 5
Cooper was not playing in a jersey with a Star the last time the Cowboys faced the Giants, but oh how he has changed the makeup of their offense since week two; As has Saquon Barkley in New York since the start of the 2018 season. Both are difference makers on the field that will no doubt put on a show at MetLife Stadium come Sunday.
