Week 2 Matchup: Cowboys at Dolphins
Cowboys at Dolphins
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (FOX), Dolphins Stadium
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The Edge
Quarterback: Advantage Dallas
Running backs: Advantage Dallas
Receivers: Advantage Dallas
Offensive line: Advantage Dallas
Defensive line: Advantage Miami
Linebackers: Advantage Miami
Secondary: Advantage Dallas
Pass rushers: Advantage Dallas
Special teams: Advantage Dallas
Depth: Advantage Dallas
Coaching: Advantage Dallas
Prediction: Dallas 24 Miami 13
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War Room scouts break down every NFL game. Here is a excerpt of their Cowboys-Dolphins matchup:
Cowboys Keys For Success
1. Run directly at Miami end Jason Taylor. Left tackle Flozell Adams must find a way to neutralize stop Taylor's speed rush. Taylor has the potential to change the game with big sacks and forced fumbles from the quarterback's blind side. Adams is a great run blocker, especially against undersized ends like Taylor. The more running plays directed at Taylor, the more it will hinder his aggressiveness as a pass rusher.
2. Hit tight end Jason Witten on hot reads. The Dolphins will blitz often Sunday. The Dolphins must take away the deep threats of Terrell Owens and Patrick Crayton, so they will force Tony Romo to throw quickly. Witten is fast and shows great hands. Dallas offensive coordinator Jason Garrett should use motion and various alignments to place Witten in areas of heavy blitzes. If Romo can make correct reads, Witten could have over 100 yards receiving Sunday.
3. Limit big plays on defense. The Cowboys must play good solid defense and limit the big plays. Dallas yielded several big plays last week but must make Miami work for every point. The Dallas defensive backs must keep the Miami receivers in front of them. The Dolphins lack the powerful and versatile offense to grind out yardage in the red zone, so if Dallas can limit big plays it likely will limit touchdowns.
Dolphins Keys For Success
1. Establish Ronnie Brown early. Brown is the key to the Miami offense. He was almost non-existent in the opener against Washington. Miami must give him the ball and establish an inside presence against new nose tackle Jay Ratliff. Miami must control the clock Sunday and keep the ball away from Dallas' explosive offense. If Miami can neutralize Ratliff and run inside, it will limit the defense's aggressiveness.
2. Pressure Romo. Romo, in his first full season as the starter, still makes ill-advised throws when under duress. Miami will send a variety of blitz packages because Taylor won't be as effect this week against Adams. Defensive coordinator Dom Capers must utilize the speed of his linebackers to force Romo to rush passes. Dallas' outstanding corps of wide receivers, even without Terry Glenn (knee), could overwhelm Miami's secondary so the Dolphins cannot give Romo time to pick apart the defense.
3. Isolate safety Roy Williams in coverage. Williams is one of the NFL's top strong safeties ... near the line of scrimmage. Williams is a liability in coverage and can be taken advantage of downfield and over the middle. If Miami can force Williams into coverage, it will open up the running game and give Trent Green more options in the middle of the field
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (FOX), Dolphins Stadium
sportingnews.com
The Edge
Quarterback: Advantage Dallas
Running backs: Advantage Dallas
Receivers: Advantage Dallas
Offensive line: Advantage Dallas
Defensive line: Advantage Miami
Linebackers: Advantage Miami
Secondary: Advantage Dallas
Pass rushers: Advantage Dallas
Special teams: Advantage Dallas
Depth: Advantage Dallas
Coaching: Advantage Dallas
Prediction: Dallas 24 Miami 13
Expert Picks
Sign up now to find out who our experts are picking!
War Room scouts break down every NFL game. Here is a excerpt of their Cowboys-Dolphins matchup:
Cowboys Keys For Success
1. Run directly at Miami end Jason Taylor. Left tackle Flozell Adams must find a way to neutralize stop Taylor's speed rush. Taylor has the potential to change the game with big sacks and forced fumbles from the quarterback's blind side. Adams is a great run blocker, especially against undersized ends like Taylor. The more running plays directed at Taylor, the more it will hinder his aggressiveness as a pass rusher.
2. Hit tight end Jason Witten on hot reads. The Dolphins will blitz often Sunday. The Dolphins must take away the deep threats of Terrell Owens and Patrick Crayton, so they will force Tony Romo to throw quickly. Witten is fast and shows great hands. Dallas offensive coordinator Jason Garrett should use motion and various alignments to place Witten in areas of heavy blitzes. If Romo can make correct reads, Witten could have over 100 yards receiving Sunday.
3. Limit big plays on defense. The Cowboys must play good solid defense and limit the big plays. Dallas yielded several big plays last week but must make Miami work for every point. The Dallas defensive backs must keep the Miami receivers in front of them. The Dolphins lack the powerful and versatile offense to grind out yardage in the red zone, so if Dallas can limit big plays it likely will limit touchdowns.
Dolphins Keys For Success
1. Establish Ronnie Brown early. Brown is the key to the Miami offense. He was almost non-existent in the opener against Washington. Miami must give him the ball and establish an inside presence against new nose tackle Jay Ratliff. Miami must control the clock Sunday and keep the ball away from Dallas' explosive offense. If Miami can neutralize Ratliff and run inside, it will limit the defense's aggressiveness.
2. Pressure Romo. Romo, in his first full season as the starter, still makes ill-advised throws when under duress. Miami will send a variety of blitz packages because Taylor won't be as effect this week against Adams. Defensive coordinator Dom Capers must utilize the speed of his linebackers to force Romo to rush passes. Dallas' outstanding corps of wide receivers, even without Terry Glenn (knee), could overwhelm Miami's secondary so the Dolphins cannot give Romo time to pick apart the defense.
3. Isolate safety Roy Williams in coverage. Williams is one of the NFL's top strong safeties ... near the line of scrimmage. Williams is a liability in coverage and can be taken advantage of downfield and over the middle. If Miami can force Williams into coverage, it will open up the running game and give Trent Green more options in the middle of the field
posted by The Gryphon at 7:52 AM
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