Week 12 Matchup: Jets at Cowboys
Thursday, 4:15 p.m. ET (CBS ), Texas Stadium
The Edge
Quarterback: Advantage Cowboys
Running backs: Advantage Cowboys
Receivers: Advantage Cowboys
Offensive line: Advantage Cowboys
Defensive line: Advantage Cowboys
Linebackers: Advantage Cowboys
Secondary: Advantage Cowboys
Pass rushers: Advantage Cowboys
Special teams: Advantage Jets
Depth: Advantage Cowboys
Coaching: Advantage Cowboys
Prediction Jets 17 at Dallas 31
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War Room scouts break down every NFL game. Here is a excerpt of their Jets-Cowboys matchup:
Jets Keys For Success
1. Run to the open side. Dallas likes to offset its 3-4 defensive front toward the tight end side of the formation, effectively covering all the potential blockers that could limit inside linebacker Bradie James' ability to scrape the line in run support. Expect New York to set the tight end to its left, allowing Thomas Jones to hit the predetermined cutback lane behind right guard Brandon Moore as he locks up inside linebacker Akin Ayodele before he can close.
2. Spread the field. In second-year man Kellen Clemens, the Jets have a strong-armed quarterback who can stretch the field vertically and horizontally. Although not connecting on many chances downfield, New York still will move its receivers outside the numbers and put additional pressure on Dallas safeties Roy Williams and Ken Hamlin to support the deep sideline routes at a cost of exposing the middle of the field. Look for the Jets to copy recent Dallas opponents by putting wide receivers Jerricho Cotchery and Brad Smith (or Laveranues Coles if able to return from an ankle injury) on the same side of the field and split tight end Chris Baker out wide to challenge Williams.
3. Contain Dallas quarterback Tony Romo. Washington forced Romo out of the pocket last week but still was burned -- all four touchdown passes completed to Terrell Owens where on-the-run throws. Look for the Jets to blitz strong safety Kerry Rhodes and inside linebacker David Harris from the dime package and outside linebacker Eric Barton from the nickel package. Linebacker/end then would drop and spy on Romo, to prevent him from running.
Cowboys Keys For Success
1. Use zone blocks on inside runs. Dallas has the size to overpower any defensive front, but New York shows the ability to stiffen against straight-ahead runs. The Jets' front seven struggles to shed blocks as they move laterally. Expect Dallas running backs Marion Barber III and Julius Jones to find seams once offensive linemen lock up with defenders.
2. Throw more to tight end Jason Witten over the middle. Harris does an admirable job against the run but play-action passes will entice him to cheat up as Witten gets behind him over the middle. The Jets could bracket Witten with outside linebacker Bryan Thomas, but that would leave Barber open on swing routes if Thomas cannot adjust. Dropping Rhodes into the box to neutralize Witten would leave rookie cornerback Darrelle Revis man-to-man against Owen.
3. Use overloaded blitzes. Washington had success Nov. 4 against the Jets, by overloading either side of the formation and bringing four pass rushers against two or three blockers. Dallas could copy this game plan with outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware and inside linebacker Bradie James blitzing to force Clemens -- with this being just his fourth career start -- to focus on protection adjustments instead of locating receivers. Expect the pressure to come over New York's left side, where left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and left guard Adrien Clarke have had problems passing off defenders in pass protection.
The Edge
Quarterback: Advantage Cowboys
Running backs: Advantage Cowboys
Receivers: Advantage Cowboys
Offensive line: Advantage Cowboys
Defensive line: Advantage Cowboys
Linebackers: Advantage Cowboys
Secondary: Advantage Cowboys
Pass rushers: Advantage Cowboys
Special teams: Advantage Jets
Depth: Advantage Cowboys
Coaching: Advantage Cowboys
Prediction Jets 17 at Dallas 31
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 Jets-Cowboys matchup:
Jets Keys For Success
1. Run to the open side. Dallas likes to offset its 3-4 defensive front toward the tight end side of the formation, effectively covering all the potential blockers that could limit inside linebacker Bradie James' ability to scrape the line in run support. Expect New York to set the tight end to its left, allowing Thomas Jones to hit the predetermined cutback lane behind right guard Brandon Moore as he locks up inside linebacker Akin Ayodele before he can close.
2. Spread the field. In second-year man Kellen Clemens, the Jets have a strong-armed quarterback who can stretch the field vertically and horizontally. Although not connecting on many chances downfield, New York still will move its receivers outside the numbers and put additional pressure on Dallas safeties Roy Williams and Ken Hamlin to support the deep sideline routes at a cost of exposing the middle of the field. Look for the Jets to copy recent Dallas opponents by putting wide receivers Jerricho Cotchery and Brad Smith (or Laveranues Coles if able to return from an ankle injury) on the same side of the field and split tight end Chris Baker out wide to challenge Williams.
3. Contain Dallas quarterback Tony Romo. Washington forced Romo out of the pocket last week but still was burned -- all four touchdown passes completed to Terrell Owens where on-the-run throws. Look for the Jets to blitz strong safety Kerry Rhodes and inside linebacker David Harris from the dime package and outside linebacker Eric Barton from the nickel package. Linebacker/end then would drop and spy on Romo, to prevent him from running.
Cowboys Keys For Success
1. Use zone blocks on inside runs. Dallas has the size to overpower any defensive front, but New York shows the ability to stiffen against straight-ahead runs. The Jets' front seven struggles to shed blocks as they move laterally. Expect Dallas running backs Marion Barber III and Julius Jones to find seams once offensive linemen lock up with defenders.
2. Throw more to tight end Jason Witten over the middle. Harris does an admirable job against the run but play-action passes will entice him to cheat up as Witten gets behind him over the middle. The Jets could bracket Witten with outside linebacker Bryan Thomas, but that would leave Barber open on swing routes if Thomas cannot adjust. Dropping Rhodes into the box to neutralize Witten would leave rookie cornerback Darrelle Revis man-to-man against Owen.
3. Use overloaded blitzes. Washington had success Nov. 4 against the Jets, by overloading either side of the formation and bringing four pass rushers against two or three blockers. Dallas could copy this game plan with outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware and inside linebacker Bradie James blitzing to force Clemens -- with this being just his fourth career start -- to focus on protection adjustments instead of locating receivers. Expect the pressure to come over New York's left side, where left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and left guard Adrien Clarke have had problems passing off defenders in pass protection.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:34 PM
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