FRISCO, TEXAS — The 1-1 Dallas Cowboys hit the road to take on the 2-0 Seattle Seahawks in week three.
The Cowboys have lost the time of possession battle in each of their first two games but controlling the clock will be critical on Sunday to keep the ball away from dual-threat quarterback, Russell Wilson. Wilson is off to a historic start in 2020 throwing nearly as many touchdown passes (nine, league-high) as he has incompletions (11). His completion rate of 82% on a minimum of 50 attempts is the highest in NFL history after two games, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
His deep ball accuracy has been off the charts and it is no secret that Wilson is elusive when he breaks the pocket. For the Dallas’ defense it is no longer just about containing him inside the pocket, but also the perimeter. He takes off when he senses pressure and guys will have to win their gaps and be cognizant of rush lanes so Wilson does not have a hole to run through.
Defensive coordinator Mike Nolan told media, “ You certainly don’t want to play this game with a disregard to any degree of the quarterback because, look, an extended play is entirely different from an orchestrated play that’s been drawn up on paper. They’re 180 degrees different, and when a quarterback gets out of the pocket and extends a play, a lot of the math that we talk about and 11-on-11 and how it is is just thrown out the window. At that point, it’s all just man-for-man and that’s why you see so many explosive plays…”
Offensively, Dallas has to keep an eye on Jamal Adams. The Seahawks acquired the All-Pro safety in a blockbuster trade with the Jets in July and since then he has revamped their defense with his versatile playmaking ability. In recent years, Pete Carroll has not been one to blitz safeties but that has not been the case with Adams. Through two weeks, Adams has been the team’s best pass rusher disrupting opposing quarterbacks in the pocket and the greatest defender in pass coverage. He makes plays from sideline to sideline and with Dallas’ banged up offensive line, Seattle will likely use him to generate pressure and try to collapse the pocket around Dak Prescott. Adams leads the Seahawks in sacks (2), quarterback hits (4), and tackles (22).
Zack Martin told D210Sports, “ He’s [Adams] super active. When you watch him on tape, he’s going 100 miles an hour at all times. He’s definitely a guy that you’ve got to find on every snap to see where he’s at and then be ready when the ball is snapped. He’s kind of all over the place, and he makes big plays. “
A win on the road for the Cowboys in the NFC matchup would make a big statement in the league and build off the momentum from last week’s comeback victory over the Falcons.
