This unique defender-vs-skill-player battle among 3 key matchups in Cowboys, Ravens tilt
Things have been a mess in Dallas since last week. The Saints rushing attack completely exposed the Cowboys run defense. The Dallas interior was outperformed physically and mentally leaving many to believe the Cowboys have the worst defensive interiors in the NFL.
The two Dallas 1-tech defensive tackles, Linval Joseph and Mazi Smith, have graded out as the worst and third-worst in the NFL this season (109th and 111th, respectively) and no one seems to be arguing it.
The Ravens interior line is also under scrutiny this season. Guards Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele grade in the bottom rung of positional ratings and have struggled to open holes and handle blitz packages through two games.
It's likely both units look at each other as "just what the doctor ordered" given their recent struggles. The team that can be the least terrible in the interior has a great chance of winning on Sunday and instilling a little hope for their team going forward.
There's no question the Cowboys can generate pressure on the interior, but can they hold up against the run?
Cornerback vs running back is not a typical matchup to key on in game previews such as this but given Henry's success on the edge this season, coupled with Dallas' run stopping difficulties on stretch plays, Diggs is going to be in more than a few ugly tackling situations on Sunday.
Diggs, the Cowboys ballhawk extraordinaire, could be called upon to do some heavy lifting on Sunday. Diggs was frequently asked to step up and stop the run against New Orleans and he's likely to be used the same against Henry and the Ravens.
Henry has over 50 pounds on Dallas' two corners so stopping the Baltimore RB will be no small task, but it will be a necessary one.
The Cowboys experimented with their spy situation in Week 1 against the Browns with great success. DeMarvion Overshown exploded off the screen and appeared to be Dallas' secret weapon against a rushing quarterback.
Lamar Jackson, arguably the best rushing QB since Michael Vick, will be a test like no other. Since Cover 1 defense gives Dallas an extra run stopper in the box, Dallas will likely lean on it early and often. Unfortunately, it also means outside CBs will be in man coverage, playing with their backs to Jackson and daring him to make big gains. It will largely fall on the spy to stop these gains.
Whether the spy is Overshown or Marist Liufau will come down to which personnel package is on the field. 50 percent of Baltimore's offensive packages have been 12 personnel. The extra tight end typically demands base defense which means Liufau, not Overshown, is on the field.
Regardless of who is in the role, it's essential they minimize the damage brought on by Jackson's rushing ability.
For the Cowboys to have any shot, Dak Prescott and the Cowboys passing attack have to get back on track. Prescott hasn't been his usual self, dating back to last postseason. CeeDee Lamb has been underutilized and pass protection has been suspect, to say the least.
Dallas can win all of the three keys listed above but if Prescott can't get back on track none of it will matter. The Cowboys are built to play with a lead, so this offense has to get off to a fast start.
