Dallas Cowboys Week 1: Five Things

Aug 28, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Philip Tanner (28) runs with the ball in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Here it is, week 1 of the NFL regular season and the Dallas Cowboys are set to take on the San Fransisco 49ers. While many are thinking this game will be all 49ers, I am thinking there are a few things that are on the Cowboys side. First, there are several 49ers who are out due to suspension and injury. In a week 1 matchup this will help more the Cowboys more than in later weeks. I am not saying this game will be a walk in the park, but they can take advantage of a few things if they are going to win and start the season off right. Here are the five things the Dallas Cowboys must do in order to win the game.

1. Run the ball! – Clock management will be vital in this game as the defense appears to be the weakness of the Dallas Cowboys. With the 49ers missing with NaVorro Bowman, Glenn Dorsey, and Aldon Smith out, and a revamped secondary with a rookie starter the Cowboys offense should be able to move the ball. If they can chew up the clock and make the 49ers have to watch for the run, it could expose a weakness over the top with an inexperienced secondary. But it all starts with the run.

2. Contain Collin Kaepernick – Easier said then done, I know. But if the Cowboys have a week they can do this, this would be the week. It looks like Anthony Davis and Marcus Martin are out on the offensive line for the 49ers and Michael Crabtree might be out with a calf injury. This would be the week to pin the ears back and make Kaepernick feel uncomfortable. It will take the linebackers in on this to contain him from running. If they can get a pass rush on the edges and the linebackers can fill gaps, then they have a chance to stop the 49ers.

3. Stop the run – All preseason the Dallas defense looked like a sieve. We all know the problems they had last year, but they have some hope this game with the injuries. If they can turn the 49ers into a one dimensional football team, then they can almost stack the box and provide the extra help on the run they need. Stopping the run will be key to a Cowboys victory.

4. Get physical – Again, I am focusing on the defense here. The secondary needs to hit receivers on the line to allow an extra second for the line to get a pass rush. Laying a hit or two as receivers catch the ball will help with making the receivers get uncomfortable, but the most important thing is to tackle and not miss tackls. We all saw how the Seahawks did with their physicality and they manhandled the Packers. If the Cowboys can find some fire and push some people around, they have a great chance to getting a decent defensive showing.

5. Score often – Easier said then done, I know. But I am not just talking about field goals. They need to put the pedal to the floor and not let up until the final whistle. Forcing the 49ers to have to score will allow for more mistakes. The offense has the potential to be one of the best in the league, but they have to score touchdowns. Getting a field goal over and over will not win games. Sometimes the nest defense is a great offense and by all accounts this defense will need all the help it can get from the offense.

Song of the week:

Since it is the first week of the season it is time to get hyped up. If the Cowboys can get a win it will help the view of this team quickly and build the confidence they need. So the song of the week is: Nathaniel Dawkins – Bring It On (Side note here Nathaniel Dawkins is actually Aloe Blacc….weird right?)