I must admit that I’m most excited about this Chiefs
game, than any other game the Cowboys have played this season. Beating the
Redskins was bitter sweet; because they weren’t supposed to be good this year.
I thought the Cowboys would roll the Broncos, but they laid an egg. The Packers
have put the Cowboys out the playoffs the last two times and I was excited
about seeing that game. There is something different about this Chiefs game. It
feels a lot like the Steelers game from last season.
Remember when everyone said the Cowboys couldn’t beat the
Steelers at home, they’re too young. The Steeler had the veteran QB, the star
receiver, the star running back, and the home field advantage. The only
difference between the Steelers last season and the Chiefs this season is the
home field advantage. The Chiefs have the veteran QB in Alex Smith, who is an
MVP candidate. Their star receiver comes in a 6’6 250lbs package, Travis Kelce.
Kareem Hunt has been an amazing running back for this Chiefs offensive scheme.
He has cooled off some since that hot start at the beginning of the season, but
he is still dangerous. This Sunday is a huge game for the Dallas Cowboys, and
now that Zeke is playing, it’s completely winnable.
Unleash Dak Prescott!!!
Unlike most fans I’m ok with the Cowboys being a
conservative, run first, offense. The way this team is constructed, they don’t
have many explosive offensive players. Dez Bryant and Zeke are the only players
that the Cowboys can get the ball in their hands and know they will make some
guys miss. The other player that has playmaking ability is QB Dak Prescott.
The Cowboys offense has benefited from Dak’s ability to
extend plays all season. It is time to put that in the offense and not just on
bootleg plays. The sprint outs are a great way to get Dak outside the pocket so
that he can buy time for his receivers. The Chiefs have a terrible defense so
the running game will be effective. I want to see some play action plays
called, and Dak throwing the ball downfield. I know Marcus Peters is good, but
Dez will be a factor in this game.
Get Dez Bryant involved!!!
I hate when Dez does his diva thing, then everyone on the
team says that he wasn’t blowing up about getting the ball. Last week I felt
like Dez had a right to blow up. Josh Norman did not shadow Dez across the
field. Dez was cooking Dunbar on the two routes that they Cowboys actual threw
to him. When Dez did get the screen pass, he took it to the house.
That screen pass should be called at least 3-4 times a
game. No, not the same play, but screens to Dez. Dez has the ability to make
things happen, when he gets the ball in his hands. I watched the Texans move
DeAndre Hopkins all around the field to get him involved. They even give him
some end around hand offs. Utilizing the offensive talent involves putting the
ball into your best players hands. Dez is still one of the Cowboys best
players.
Feed the Beast!!!
LeVeon Bell had a field day against this Chiefs defense.
He did it with his patient running style. Zeke is a different animal, he is much
more explosive than Bell and has the same type of field vision. This is going
to be a game where the Cowboys have to keep that highflying Chiefs offense on
the sideline. Zeke will have to use some patience and focus more on moving the
chains and not so much on hitting the home run. The Cowboys don’t want the
Chiefs to have many shots at this defense. Getting Zeke the ball 25-30 times
will be the only way to limit their possessions.
Focus on Stopping Travis Kelce!!!
The Chiefs run many different formations with a ton of
shifts and motions. They also use a bunch of different personnel groupings as
weel. The one guy on this team that doesn’t need motions, of shifts, or
anything else to impact a game is Travis Kelce. He is a wide receiver in a
tight ends body. He can single handedly beat you! Alex Smith isn’t a great quarterback,
he is solid. When he has Kelce as an option, he plays like a great quarterback.
The Cowboys love to run those soft zone coverage, and
depend on someone coming up and making a tackle. They’re going to have to be a
lot more aggressive in coverage against the Chiefs. Kelce can take a 5 yard
pass to the house, with his speed and ability to make players miss. Bryon Jones
always draws the tight end assignments and he has to play huge this week. There
is no stopping Kelce, you just have to hope to limit his impact on the game.
Keep Alex Smith in the pocket!!!
Smith’s ability to extend plays and buy time for Kelce
and Hill to get open down field is a major part of this offense. It also gives
the screenplays more time to develop. The Cowboys have to keep Smith in the
pocket. Aaron Rodgers killed this defense when he got outside the pocket. Alex
Smith doesn’t want to make mistakes and he will take the check down pass. The
Cowboys pass rush has been excellent this season and the Chiefs don’t have a
good offensive line. David Irving and Maliek Collins have to wreck the middle
of the line to push Smith out the pocket. Crawford and Lawrence have to remain
discipline and get those sacks while Smith is trying to roll out. Containing
Smith is the key to stopping this offense. Andy Reid is a great offensive mind
and he will draw up end around, screens passes, shovel passes, boot legs, RPO
(run pass options), and much more. They don’t work if Smith is under duress!
I expect a great game between these two teams. I almost
feel like they match up well. The Chiefs aren’t at full strength with Berry and
Houston out with injuries. Although I think Houston may play in this game. Even
with those guys, the Chiefs would have had a hard time dealing with the Cowboys
rushing attack. The only defense that shut down the Cowboys this season was the
Broncos. This Chiefs defense isn’t anywhere near that Broncos defense. This should
be a good game for Dez, Butler, and Switzer (if Beasley doesn’t’ go). The Chiefs
will have to commit to stopping the run and that will open up the passing game.
I’m going Cowboys 33-23!
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