DALLAS — We interrupt our Texas Rangers World Series coverage to jump back into the Cowboys season.
The Cowboys are coming off a much-needed 20-17 Monday night win over the Chargers. Meanwhile, it's another homecoming for former Highland Park star Matt Stafford, visiting his hometown team for the first time since joining the LA Rams.
“My family still lives in the area, so they’ll be at the game, which will be fun," said Stafford. "It’s always fun going back there, but once the ball’s snapped and we’re playing ball, it’s go out there and try to beat the Cowboys.”
The Cowboys are looking to make a push after getting their season back on track against the other team from LA. Quarterback Dak Prescott rebounded after an embarrassing loss against the 49ers in their previous game. Prescott ran for a touchdown and threw for another to receiver Brandin Cooks in the win over the Chargers. Prescott threw for 272 yards and finished with a quarterback rating of 109.3. In an up-and-down season so far, it's the third time Prescott has followed up a sub-80 quarterback rating with one in the triple digits, which is considered excellent.
There's been plenty of talk about how Prescott is criticized with "all-everything" Cowboys defender Micah Parsons sticking up for his team's quarterback. Parsons has criticized national talk show hosts for what he calls unfair treatment.
Prescott takes it all in stride saying, "I've been in this organization eight years. Whether you b---- about it or not, it's not going to stop. That's just how it goes. To me, it's fun. Because when things go our way and we win this thing, it's going to make it all that much sweeter."
The so-called Texas Coast offense has been off to an uneven start, so the bye week came at a great time. I expect a fast start in this game with the coaching staff going over the first six games and having a good handle on what should work against the Rams.
Although he had a touchdown last game, my biggest disappointment so far has been the lack of long ball production from Cooks. The Cowboys have to find opportunities to take shots. This offense struggles when secondaries continue to creep up after bottling up the run and then take away the middle of the field from Prescott in the passing game. Having Cooks stretch the field is the answer, and hopefully the Cowboys used their off time to create a plan to pull that off.
A Quick Look at the Weekend Ahead
- Who: Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Rams
- When: 12 p.m. on Sunday, October 29, 2023
- Where: AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
- Weather: Rain. Highs in the low 60s, and lows in the high 30s.
- Watch: FOX (Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olsen, Erin Andrews, and Tom Rinaldi)
- Listen: KRLD-FM 105.3 The Fan (Brad Sham, Babe Laufenberg, Kristi Scales)
- Last Meeting: Dallas 22 - Los Angeles 10 (October 9, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif.)
- Series Record: Dallas leads 19-18-0
X’s and Joe’s
Game-wrecker alert - It needs to be sounded every time you play Rams all-world defensive lineman Aaron Donald. He doesn't have as many stars around him as he did when the Rams won Super Bowl 56. The Cowboys have to slow him down first and foremost, and in doing so, try to jumpstart their anemic rushing attack.
When Cowboys starting running back Tony Pollard was Ezekiel Elliott's backup, he thrived against the Rams, averaging more than 10 yards per carry in three meetings. But Pollard has struggled this season while taking over as the Cowboys' lead back. Pollard hasn't generated as many explosive plays, and he's averaging 3.9 yards per carry, a substantial drop from the 5.1 per carry the three previous seasons.
It's not all Pollard's fault though.
The Cowboys offensive line is still trying to find its way - the holes haven't been there much of the time. If the Cowboys' preferred five lineman can start Sunday, it will be just the third time over the last two seasons. Running backs coach and run game coordinator Jeff Blasko returns this week after a six-week absence due to health issues, so there is more reason for promise there.
The Rams have parted ways with plenty top-line talent but can be dangerous. Stafford has cultivated a strong quarterback-receiver relationship with rookie Puka Nacua. And All-Pro receiver Cooper Kupp is back in the lineup after missing the first month of the season. Nacua leads the NFL with 58 receptions, and his 752 yards receiving are third in the league. Nacua needs one reception and/or 51 yards receiving against Dallas to set two more NFL records for the most in each category in a player’s first eight games.
The Rams offensive line can be vulnerable though, and Stafford, who is 35 now, doesn’t move around like he used to. That's music to the ears of Parsons and fellow Cowboys rushers. They will have opportunities to wreak havoc and force turnovers. It's the kind of game we've seen defensive coordinator Dan Quinn's crew dominate.
Cowboys defenders know where to find Stafford, and I expect Quinn to draw up schemes to make the Rams quarterback uncomfortable and get him off his spot. This could and should be a get-right game for Parsons in terms of his sack count. He has created plenty of pressure situations for opposing quarterbacks lately, but only has one sack in his last three games combined. If the over/under for sacks this game is one - take the over!
Coach's kid
NFL coaches don't get much sleep as it is. But Rams head coach Sean McVay figures to be running on minimal sleep on Sunday. This will be his first game as a father.
His wife, Veronika, gave birth Tuesday to Jordan John McVay, the middle name chosen to honor McVay’s grandfather, the former Giants coach and 49ers executive. The new dad was back to work on Wednesday.
Random Stat of the Week
The Cowboys have won 10 straight games at AT&T Stadium. That's the longest active home winning streak in the entire NFL, and the longest since the Cowboys moved to AT&T Stadium in 2009.
For years, the Cowboys struggled to have a bonified home field advantage. They've turned that around and have a chance to capitalize on it with five of their next seven games at home.
Cowboys Fan Bandwagon Meter
Prediction time: Joestradamus speaks!
The last time the Cowboys won 11 straight home games was more than 30 years ago – so it's no easy feat. But, Dallas is a touchdown favorite (-6.5).
Not only do they win, but they cover, as well. Cowboys beat the Rams 27-20.
More Dallas Cowboys coverage: