After the injury of Dak Prescott, the Dallas Cowboys resorted to a formula that has worked since ancient times in the NFL: run the ball and play defense. Today the team Jerry Jones he has what it takes to play complementary football and the result has been two wins that many predicted would be losses, once morest the Bengals and Giants.
Behind the wheel is a defense that has held opponents to 19 points or fewer, the first time Dallas has held opponents under 20 points in the first three games of a season since 1974.
The Cowboys’ front-7 has been a nightmare for quarterbacks, with an NFL-leading 13 sacks and 25 hits, including four sacks and 9 QB hits. Micah Parsonsthe hitherto unstoppable rusher who was named Defensive Rookie of the Year last season.
With the duo that make up Ezekiel Elliott y Tony PollardDallas ranks eleventh in the league with an average of 118 rushing yards per game.
Good job by an offensive line that, by the way, has also protected very well Cooper Rush: Prescott’s backup has posted – according to Pro Football Focus – an average time to get rid of the ball of 2.36 seconds, second among quarterbacks, behind only Tom Brady.
Dak hinted that he might return this Sunday once morest Washington, but that is a game that the defense can win alone (Carson Wentz was sacked nine times in the loss at Philadelphia), so there’s no need to rush Prescott back.
The Cowboys, with or without their starting quarterback, will be able to compete with the best, as long as they stick to the game plan: defense and running game.
Somewhere in Olympus, the coach Tom Landry must be smiling.
GAME OF THE WEEK
Miami at Cincinnati (-4)
Impossible not to think regarding the epic game between Alabama and LSU in November 2019, when Joe Burrow he passed for 393 yards and three touchdowns, and his Tigers beat the Crimson Tide 46-41 Tua Tagovailoa.
Alabama trailed 33-13 at halftime, but led by Tua (418 yards, 4 touchdowns, 1 interception) came within three touchdowns in the fourth quarter. LSU always responded to the attacks of the Crimson Tide.
Burrow and Tagovailoa meet once more this Thursday, now as Cincinnati and Miami quarterbacks, respectively.
In just his second year in the NFL, Burrow led the Bengals to the Super Bowl and came very close to giving the franchise its first Super Bowl title, while Tua is 9-1 in the most recent 10 and has the Dolphins dreaming big following Sunday’s victory over the Buffalo Bills, considered by many to be the best team in the league.
Burrow proved last week that, given time, he can be that special quarterback who won a college title at LSU. After being sacked 13 times in the first two games of the season, the Bengals’ revamped offensive line allowed just a couple of sacks in the win over the Jets; Burrow was 23 of 36 for 275 yards, with touchdown passes to Samaje Perineum, Tyler Boyd y Ja’Marr Chase.
The Dolphins’ frontcourt will be a bigger challenge for Cincinnati. In the win over the Bills, Miami’s defense stopped Josh Allen and his powerful offense over five plays inside the 6-yard line, including four snaps from the 2-yard line.
Tagovailoa has a spectacular corps of wide receivers in Miami, including his former teammate in Alabama, Jaylen Waddlewho had 102 yards once morest Buffalo, a week following posting 171 once morest Baltimore.
And of course there is Tyreek Hillwho had seven receptions, 78 yards and a touchdown as the Kansas City Chiefs lost last season’s AFC Championship to the Bengals.
Hill is among the best receivers in the league in receptions (21), yards (317) and receptions of 20 or more yards (6).
At the end of the game once morest the Bills, Hill said he is looking forward to the game once morest That is, Applethe Cincinnati cornerback who “dried him dry” in that game for the ticket to the Super Bowl.
El pick: Unlike that game between Bama and LSU, Tua has more and a better arsenal than Burrow, whose offensive line must show he can be consistent in protecting his young quarterback. Miami has won nine of 14 games in Cincinnati and is one of the most complete teams in the AFC. Dolphins 31-21 Bengals
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SURE PICK
Washington and Dallas (-3)
Score a minimum of 10 sacks off the Dallas defense. On Sunday there is Carson Wentz for everyone. Cowboys 24-14 Commanders
UPSET
Denver at Las Vegas (-2.5)
The AFC West was supposed to be one of the best divisions in the NFL. I’m still waiting. Broncos 20-17 Raiders
TWO MINUTE DRIVE
Minnesota (-3) vs. New Orleans (in London)
The Saints are a disgrace. Yes, in London too. This is, by the way, the 100th NFL game outside the United States. Minnesota 27-20 New Orleans
Cleveland (-1.5) a Atlanta
Atlanta’s defense is decent once morest the run. That is not enough. Browns 27-19 Falcons
Buffalo (-3.5) not Baltimore
Last week, injuries, heat and humidity melted the Bills in Miami. This week it will be Lamar Jackson. Baltimore 28-24 Buffalo
Seattle vs Detroit (-4.5)
The Lions are much better than their record indicates. The Seahawks don’t. Detroit 28-20 Seattle
Los Angeles Chargers (-5) en Houston
Without Justin Herbert 100% I can’t trust the Chargers. Houston 24-21 LAC
Tennessee at Indianapolis (-3.5)
Have the Colts learned to beat their nemesis? Has to be seen to be believed. Tennessee 28-27 Indianapolis
Chicago at New York Giants (-3)
Chicago’s passing “attack” produces 78.3 yards per game. Giants 17-10 Bears
Jacksonville en Philadelphia (-6.5)
This game will make it clear to us who the Jaguars are. Because we already have an idea of who the Eagles are. Philadelphia 31-27 Jacksonville
New York Jets at Pittsburgh (-3.5)
As Zach Wilson makes his Jets debut in 2022, this may be the last chance for Mitchell Trubisky. Steelers 20-17 Jets
Arizona at Carolina (-2)
Perhaps it is still too early to say that Baker Mayfield is a “bust.” Panthers 28-24 Cardinals
New England en Green Bay (-10.5)
If Mac Jones can’t play, Brian Hoyer will be New England’s starter. I think we don’t need more information. Packers 27-13 Patriots
Kansas City (-2.5) and Tampa Bay
Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady didn’t have a good time last week, but at least Brady has a good defense to back him up. Bucs 20-18 Chiefs
Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco (-2.5)
Sean McVay is 4-7 once morest the 49ers and San Francisco has won the last six in this rivalry. Niners 23-20 Rams
In the past week: 6-10
Total in the season: 22-25-1
PLAY BETWEEN THE LINES
| week 4 | better posture |
|---|---|
| Miami in Cincinnati | Dolphins +4 |
| Minnesotavs. New Orleans (in London) | Vikings -3 |
| Cleveland and Atlanta | Browns -1.5 |
| Buffalo not Baltimore | Under 51 |
| Washington not Dallas | Under 42 |
| Seattle not Detroit | Lions -4.5 |
| Los Angeles Chargers en Houston | Texans +5 |
| Tennessee in Indianapolis | Titans +3.5 |
| Chicago at New York Giants | Under 38.5 |
| Jacksonville en Philadelphia | Under 48 |
| New York Jets vs. Pittsburgh | Under 40 |
| Arizona in Carolina | Over 42.5 |
| New England en Green Bay | Packers -10.5 |
| Denver in Las Vegas | Under 45.5 |
| Kansas City and Tampa Bay | Under 45.5 |
| Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco | Over 42 |
