In one of the best games of the Week 5 NFL slate, the Dallas Cowboys will travel to the Los Angeles Rams.
Both of these teams are playoffs teams from last year, but both look a lot different in 2022.
Dallas is missing their quarterback, Dak Prescott who is still recovering from thumb surgery.
While the defending champion Rams seem to be playing some of their worst football since Matt Stafford got before last season.
The Cowboys are 3-1, while the Rams are 2-2.
But, Dallas has plans of going into LA and stealing this one from the champs.
The Cowboys have been playing great with Cooper Rush under center, and they will need another strong game from him.
It will be a tough task for Dallas to win this game, but they are up for the challenge.
Here are the two things they must do to defeat the Rams on Sunday.
Pressure Matt Stafford
The pass-rushers on the Cowboys are easily one of the best units in all of football.
They rank second in the NFL in sacks through four weeks with 15.
Getting after the quarterback is something they have done very well.
Top-5 teams in ESPN's pass-rush win rate:
1. Cowboys, 56%
2. Dolphins, 53%
3. Cardinals, 52%
4. Jaguars, 51%
5. Bills, 50%— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) October 5, 2022
Facing Stafford and the Rams, the defense should dial up the pressure.
Not only is Stafford not mobile but he is also turnover prone.
In four games, Stafford has turned the ball over seven times.
With six of them being interceptions.
The Rams will try and counter the Dallas pass rush by running the ball.
Run defense has been a problem for the Cowboys and that is where the Rams could have success.
But, if Dallas can slow down the run and force the Rams into obvious passing situations, look out.
Micah Parsons and company will have no problem pinning their ears back and getting after the 34-year-old QB.
Plus, the Rams have a terrible offensive line.
It has been plagued with injuries this season and they are working trying out a patchwork unit the past few weeks.
This will be a big game for Cowboys defensive coordinator, Dan Quinn, to throw different looks at Stafford.
If the ‘Boys can confuse the veteran and make him make mistakes, Dallas will be in great shape to pull off an upset.
Run The Ball Effectively
With Rush still under center, the Cowboys have done a good job of protecting him from throwing the ball 40-50 times in a game.
Rush has averaged just over 29 pass attempts per game in the three weeks he has started.
It is hard to be effective as a QB when the defense does not respect your run game.
That is why the Cowboys need to come out and run the ball effectively all game.
No, that does not mean slamming the ball into Aaron Donald and the rest of the Rams’ interior defenders.
They must be creative with how they use their run plays.
This could be a big game for Tony Pollard who is faster and more explosive than Ezekiel Elliott.
Tony Pollard SCOOTIN 🛴
📺: #DALvsNYG on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/D62zaILv7u pic.twitter.com/uJQMipXyzf— NFL (@NFL) September 27, 2022
Using Pollard to run to the outside could do wonders for the Cowboys as they look to use play-action passes later in the game.
Elliott will remain valuable in short yardage and around the goal line because of his power.
In games Rush has started the Cowboys are averaging 4.0 yards per rush.
If they can get that to 4.5 or 5.0 for this game against LA they should be in great shape.
What they can not afford to do is have negative plays in the run game.
They must be falling forward after every run and staying in front of the chains.
If they can do that, then Rush should be able to handle the rest through the air and lead the Cowboys to a victory.
NEXT: Cooper Rush Seeks To Continue His Record Start