The Dallas Cowboys are back in town as they take on the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium in Week 8. Let’s take a closer inside look at today’s matchup.
A Healthy Dallas Cowboys Team?
The Cowboys are coming off their bye week, which came at the perfect time.
The team was dealing with the injury bug ahead of Week 6 and needed the bye week to recover and recharge.
The week started on Wednesday, with Juanyeh Thomas being the only player on the practice report with a hamstring injury but was listed as a full participant.
MORE: Dallas Cowboys Depth Chart
Yet on Thursday, veteran tackle Tyron Smith was added to the report with a neck injury and was limited during practice.
Head coach Mike McCarthy said Smith aggravated an old injury during a conference call on Friday.
The last time Smith dealt with a neck injury was in the 2018 and 2020 seasons.
Will the Cowboys’ Offense Find Its Stride?
This is a concern for the offensive line for various reasons. If the neck injury starts impacting Smith’s availability, it will be challenging to build the continuity that has been lacking within it.
The O-line not having this continuity because of multiple injuries during the season at different positions has created a ripple effect for the offense as a whole.
The Cowboys currently rank 17th in rushing and 25th in passing in the NFL.
With the team being healthy and adjustments made during the bye week, this unit should pick up where it left off in Week 6 against the Chargers.
Factors to keep a close eye on will be:
- If Dak Prescott continues to use his mobility.
- If there will be more ball distribution among Tony Pollard and Rico Dowdle.
- How much utilization will Brandin Cooks get?
- Is the red zone still an area of concern for the Cowboys, who are currently ranked 27th in the NFL with a 39.13% red-zone scoring percentage.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Los Angeles Rams Game Preview
The Cowboys lead the all-time series against the Rams at 15-13.
The Cowboys still have much to figure out on the offensive side of the ball, which the Rams can expose if they shut down the run and not allow the Cowboys to convert on third down.
MORE: Week 8 NFL Power Rankings
The Cowboys have a 47.67% third-down conversation percentage, which is fourth in the NFL. But if the Rams can keep the team behind the sticks and not allow them to get downfield, there could be a chance for them to take the lead.
The Rams offense has allowed 18 sacks this season, and the Cowboys defense will be all gas and no breaks with the edge rush.
Stafford will need to release the ball quickly to avoid getting hit. He also has six interceptions this season, but the Cowboys defensive backs will have a busy day trying to cover Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.
Cowboys-Rams Stats From Inside Edge
Here are some of the biggest stats to watch on Sunday, courtesy of Inside Edge.
- Jake Ferguson (DAL) has averaged 5.2 yards after the catch this season — tied for ninth-best of qualified tight ends.
- The Rams have allowed 5.8 yards after catch per reception to TEs this season — fifth-worst in the NFL.
Analysis: With the lack of the Cowboys tight ends’ involvement so far this season, this would be the ideal time to get them all more involved in the game plan.
Ferguson cannot only create chuck plays, but he has the skill set to create yards after catch. If Prescott can utilize Ferguson to get downfield, it can benefit the entire unit.
- Dak Prescott (DAL) has just an 86.7 passer rating in the red zone this season — eighth-worst of qualified QBs.
- The Rams have allowed a passer rating of just 78.0 when defending in the red zone this season — fifth-best in the NFL.
Analysis: Speaking of how tight ends can be utilized more, the red zone could be the perfect place to put the young unit to use better. The Cowboys have struggled in the red zone all season, and there are multiple ways they can contribute to finding a solution.
- Establishing the run game and not shying away from it early in the game.
- Get Tony Pollard going and give Rico Dowdle more reps than he has been getting, especially in the red zone.
If there is an opportunity for Prescott to be more mobile, he should use his legs. However, this shouldn’t be the norm, as it’s a risk the Cowboys don’t need to take.
- When Matthew Stafford (LA) is below his average completion percentage (59.1%), his team is 0-3 this season — tied for worst of qualified QBs.
- The Cowboys have allowed a completion rate of just 59.8% this season — fifth-best in the NFL.
Analysis: This will be a measuring stick game for the Cowboys defensive backs and their ability to eliminate big plays from Kupp and Nacua.
A significant part of the game plan for the Cowboys needs to be to shut both of these receivers down and not allow them to get hot during the game.
- The Rams are 3-11 (.214) when throwing at least one interception since the 2022 season — sixth-worst in NFL.
- The Cowboys have intercepted 24 passes since the 2022 season — fourth-most in the NFL.
Analysis: The Cowboys have eight interceptions so far this season, tying them for the third-most in the NFL. It is also worth noting that two of those interceptions have been pick-sixes.
If the Cowboys’ defense can improve in any area post-bye week, it would be to make the big plays happen when the opportunity arrives. For example, making an interception and not just a pass breakup.
- The Cowboys have thrown the ball 10 yards or less on 73.8% of pass attempts this season — fourth-highest in the NFL.
- The Rams have allowed just 5.5 yards per dropback on pass attempts between 1-10 yards this season — tied for fourth-best in the NFL.
Analysis: The Cowboys offense can get down the field, but scoring is the issue. Although the bigger and more explosive plays have not been as present for the unit, their kryptonite has been capitalizing in the end zone.
All eyes will be on this aspect of the game to take pressure off of the defense and not solely rely on Brandon Aubrey to get points on the board with field goal attempts.
From the current NFL standings to team depth charts to coverage of every game in the 18-week NFL schedule, we have all the news from around the league to keep you up to speed!
