FRISCO, Texas- The 6-5 Dallas Cowboys host the 8-3 Buffalo Bills on Thanksgiving. This game marks the first time the two teams have faced each other on Turkey Day in the 52 years that Dallas has played on the holiday. The Cowboys will face former slot receiver Cole Beasley from the opposing sideline.
Beasley wore a Star for seven seasons and totaled 319 receptions for 3,271 yards and 23 touchdowns with Dallas. Following the 2018 season, Beasley came out and expressed his frustration in wanting a larger offensive role with more opportunities to make an impact. He became an unrestricted free agent in 2019 and it was only a matter of time from that point before the two sides parted ways. He then signed a four-year contract with the Bills.
I spoke with Jeff Heath on Beasley and he told me, “ He was a great player for us and did a lot of good stuff. Seems like he’s having a great time in Buffalo. He’s a big weapon for them and we know what he brings. It will be fun to play against him.”
In the spirit of gratitude, Randall Cobb’s acquisition in in free agency paid off. He replaced Beasley in the slot and currently leads all Dallas’ offensive players with 12 third down conversions in 2019. He has great short-area speed and the ability to press the line and get to the perimeter. He is a valuable asset to the Cowboys’ receiving core.
In Thursday’s matchup, the Bills’ defense is currently ranked third in the league in preventing pass yards with penetration coming from all angles in their 4-3. The Cowboys’ offensive line has to win the battle up front to open up passing lanes, and give Dak Prescott enough time to go through progressions.
Against the Patriots on Sunday, Stephon Gilmore did a tremendous job shutting down Amari Cooper in press coverage. He held Dallas’ No.1 receiver to 0 receptions for 0 yards in the ballgame. This week, the offensive unit faces another lockdown corner in Tre’Davious White. White plays sideways and plays tight on receivers then turns and bails out. He can line up outside as well as in the slot with blitzes from the box on occasion.
“ Another high draft pick [White],” Jason Garrett remarked to me. “ Has all the physical traits that you want in a corner- he’s strong, he’s quick, and he’s fast; He’s got great change of direction, can be physical, good tackler, good ball guy; Sticky in coverage. He’s got awareness and he’s got instincts.”
One of the biggest factors moving forward for the Boys is fixing the Special Team’s issues. Well issue is almost too small a word to adequately describe the disastrous effort by the unit against New England. There were multiple muffed kicks, a blocked punt, and lost field position with poor placement of the returner. Special Team’s put the Cowboys in unfavorable positions and has to shape up prior to facing the Bills.
