Dallas Cowboys: Matchups to watch for Week Two

The Dallas Cowboys are heading into Denver to take on the Broncos. Here are some matchups to look out for during this big Week Two contest.

The Dallas Cowboys will be facing another elite defense this week as they take on the Denver Broncos. The Broncos defense has changed considerably since their Super Bowl runs a few seasons back most notably the retirement of elite pass rusher, Demarcus Ware (who is apparently available if Dallas gives him a call).

Now The Cowboys will have to focus on stopping Von Miller and keeping the ball out of Denver’s hands.

Cowboys offensive line VS Broncos pass rush

There are several matchups in this game that should be focused on however this game has a very similar feeling to Week One against the Giants in that, they are facing an offense that has been known to struggle and a defense that gives quarterbacks (except Dak Prescott) nightmares.

The first of these matchups we should look at is Von Miller and the Broncos defensive line versus the Cowboys elite offensive line. The Broncos defense is not as scary as it used to be well at the very least their pass rush unit has taken a couple of hits.

The most notable player Dallas will have to look out for on the defensive line would be Derek Wolfe. He is disruptive in just about every phase of the game and will look to make an impact early on. The Broncos second strength is their linebacking corps, particularly Von Miller and Brandon Marshall.

Both of these players can contribute to stopping the run and rushing the passer, however, Miller is easily one of the scariest pass rushers in the NFL today. He will likely flash down through the middle of the Cowboys line on blitzes and twist stunts but it is how the Cowboys pick up this second wave of impact that will show who controls this game.

What makes the Broncos pass rush so scary is that their edge rushers and defensive tackles are a handful but then Miller and Marshall are able to find the most effective gaps to rush the quarterback. It is a tough assignment for the Cowboys offensive line but they should be up for the challenge.

Trevor Siemian VS Cowboys secondary

The Cowboys secondary may not be recognized as elite or insanely special like Denver’s, however, they are productive and showed just that against Eli Manning and the New York Giants.

The Broncos sophomore starter has been kind of erratic as it comes to his play over the last season. He had a terrific game against the Los Angeles Chargers last week, easily one of the best games I have seen him play.

That being said he went 17-28 from the field, put up two touchdowns, a rushing touchdown, 94.2 quarterback rating, and an interception. The Cowboys defense is a lot stiffer than the Chargers so stopping any type of fluidity in the Broncos offense is a must.

Sieman was helped by C.J. Anderson, Jamaal Charles, and the Broncos run game as the pair rushed for around 121 yards. I would say the number gets a bit smaller against the Cowboys as defensively the best thing Big D does is take away the run.

The Giants offense had 35 (yes 35) net rushing yards in Week One. The level of talent is clearly better in Denver but holding Anderson and Charles in check may not be that difficult.

The Cowboys defense sacked Manning 3 times throughout the course of that game and pressured him basically on every pass attempt. They will look to do the same against Siemian and force his hand on some ill timed throws.

The Cowboys young secondary comprised of Chidobe Awuzie, Anthony Brown, Jourdan Lewis, Nolan Carroll, and Bene Benwikere will likely be the group on the field as Orlando Scandrick is doubtful to play with a broken bone in his hand.

Scandrick has been the Cowboys best outside corner, however, Awuzie does have some excited. He is a talented playmaker and may have some rookie growing pains he is still a complete player in the secondary.

If Scandrick were to sit the starting lineup would be Awuzie on the outside with Carroll and Brown as the nickel back. If the Cowboys can pressure Siemian, Awuzie should have his first interception of the regular season. But this brings me to my next point…

Cowboys pass rush VS Broncos offensive line

The Broncos offensive line is around the 18th in the NFL in terms of production, that is not a favorable position to be in. Siemian got sacked once during his Week One battle with the Chargers so this line could have some trouble with the revamped Dallas pass rush.

DeMarcus Lawrence will be looking for another two sack performance and could get it as he squares off against Menelik Watson. It is not a question of if the Cowboys pass rush gets home but how many times will they be disruptive. This could easily be another great defensive showing for Dallas.

Dez Bryant/Cowboys wide receivers VS No Fly Zone (Denver Broncos Secondary)

This matchup is not pretty on any level. The Broncos secondary is better than the Giants hands down. They are comparable because they are both talented but the Broncos are clearly better.

Chris Harris and Aqib Talib make for an outside tandem that gives opposing offenses fits. Add hard hitting safety Darian Stewart and you have a recipe for destruction, still though kind of surprised they let the Chargers score 21 points on them (through the air).

Bryant’s place in this offense is really not set, as the Cowboys seemingly have a plan early, then adjust and conform to whatever works the best. Literally, the team seemed comfortable in every position (heavy blitz, max coverage, didn’t matter).

If Bryant is helping the team by keeping the best teams opposing cornerback occupied, why not throw the ball to Jason Witten, Cole Beasley or Terrance Williams a bit more? That seems to be the case, but one cannot ignore Bryant’s talent on the field.

Even though he is not producing like a number one receiver he is doing a lot of things there are no stats for. Ultimately Dez should find the end zone at some point this weekend as the Broncos corners are aggressive and will not just sit still while Cole Beasley picks them apart.

Bryant will get his shot likely on a short pass in the red zone or a medium ball in Bronco territory. The adaptability of the Cowboys offense is what makes them so dangerous and opponents are always fighting the clock against them, thanks in part to Ezekiel Elliott.

Ezekiel Elliott VS Broncos defense

What was it that Giants coach, Ben McAdoo said “All backs run the same when there’s nowhere to run”…..not 21.

Elliott has intangibles no other running back in the NFL has, his big, constantly falls forward, is a dangerous threat in the passing game, and has beast mode levels of power.

Elliott will be the focal point of the Cowboys offense and the Broncos will attempt to stop him, however, the Broncos have not been the best at stopping opponents ground attack. They did last week with Melvin Gordon, but you cannot possibly compare the Chargers offensive line to the Cowboys.

Elliott will have holes to run through and the Cowboys will likely look to get him the ball in space where he is also extremely effective. The Broncos have apparently been game planning for the Cowboys prior to Week One so we will see what schemes they have for Big D, but I cannot see Zeke being held to less than 50 yards. He is going to leave his mark on this game and another 100 total yard performance is a possibility.