FRISCO, Texas – The Cowboys will strive to get their offense on track this Sunday at the Meadowlands and reclaim their identity heading into the final month of the regular season. Dallas (9-4) remains atop the hierarchy in the NFC East as they face the New York Giants (4-9). After last season’s defensive disaster, few people entering the 2021 season could have predicted the turnaround in Dallas under Dan Quinn. Week 15’s contest against the Giants could be the remedy to kickstart the offense. Here are several storylines leading into Sunday’s matchup at MetLife Stadium.
Offense
Many have been weighing in on the Cowboys’ offensive struggles. Through the first six games of the season, franchise quarterback Dak Prescott was a candidate for MVP, completing 73 percent of his passes and averaging 302 passing yards per game (115.0 passer rating). In the six starts since returning from his calf injury, Prescott has completed 63 percent of his passes, averaging 261 passing yards per game (82.8 passer rating). The man under center did say he has made poor decisions and is emphasizing his reps during the week to correct issues. Prescott and the receiving corps have been putting in additional work after practices this week. He silenced the rumors on past ankle/calf injuries relating to performance, citing “I’m fully healthy. Hundred percent healthy.” However, the answer to the offensive woes is not so simple.
Several factors contribute: miscommunication between Prescott and the receivers, dropped passes, conservative play-calling and an inability to establish the run game/control the line of scrimmage. One difference is glaring – the run game. The Cowboys had one of the league’s top rushing attacks through the first six games to being outside of the top 20 over the previous six. Due to an abysmal ground game, the way defenses are playing the Cowboys has shifted. Opponents are not allocating resources to the run game; they are rushing four and bringing more players on the back end in soft zones to limit big plays. Now, Prescott is having to be more patient, dropping back to read the whole defense. CeeDee Lamb testified that defenses are not blitzing as much as they were earlier in the season, and it has been a challenge for the group to stay patient on routes as the opposition continues to keep everything underneath. Getting the run game back will open up play-action – where Dak Prescott thrives. This week could rectify the struggles. New York sits at 4-9, having lost three of their last four.
Injuries
Against the Giants, the lineup changes will continue on the offensive line. Left tackle Tyron Smith has been ruled out of the ballgame after reaggravating an ankle injury against Washington. The fact that head coach Mike McCarthy made the announcement on Monday signifies that Smith could be out longer than a one-game absence. Terence Steele will be his replacement at left tackle. Steele, the team’s swing tackle, has filled in for Smith previously at left tackle and for La’el Collins at right tackle. After Collins ejection vs. Washington for his scuffle on the sideline, Dallas initially feared that Collins could be suspended. However, Collins and Steele will start at tackle against division rival, Giants.
Left guard is also subject to change. The Cowboys have started Connor McGovern the last four games after Connor Williams racked up an ungodly number of holding penalties. During the span, the offensive production has dipped, specifically in the run game. Williams provides more athleticism up front for pulls to get rushers out in space along the perimeter. With Williams in the lineup, the Cowboys were 9-2 and over the four games with McGovern at left guard, the Cowboys are just 2-2. McCarthy and EVP Stephen Jones declined to answer who will start at left guard, but Williams has taken first team reps at left guard throughout the week, signaling the switch.
Running back Tony Pollard took a step forward on Thursday, practicing on a limited basis. Pollard did not suit up against Washington in Week 14 due to a partially torn plantar fascia in his foot. Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence appeared on the injury list with a foot injury and was a limited participant on Thursday. The staff scaled back his workload as a precaution. He has been productive in the trenches over the previous two games after a 10-game absence with a foot injury. Both are expected to play on Sunday.
Defense
The defense has dominated the previous two games. In the win over Washington, Dan Quinn’s menacing crew notched four takeaways and scored another defensive touchdown. With the addition of Randy Gregory and Neville Gallimore, Quinn often put five defensive linemen at the line of scrimmage, creating favorable one-on-one pass rush situations and matchups on running backs. What became the team’s liability in 2020, has become the team’s strength this season in Quinn’s 4-3 base hybrid sub-package system.
His defense boasts rookie phenom and DPOY candidate Micah Parsons and NFL interception leader Trevon Diggs. Dallas has wreaked havoc on offensive game plans and the Giants will likely try and mitigate the Cowboys’ pass rush with a short passing attack and screen game. New York has one of the worst passer ratings against the blitz (30th) and Quinn will have pass rush stunts up his sleeve to utilize the weapons in his arsenal.
