Dallas Cowboys: Week Nine matchup preview, Kansas City Chiefs VS Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys will take on the Kansas City Chiefs in what will be one of the best contests of the weekend. Here are some of the best matchups.

The Dallas Cowboys are heading into Week Nine with a much-needed player back on the field as they will have Ezekiel Elliott on the field for this upcoming matchup. The Cowboys desperately needed their star running back for one of the toughest matchups this season as they look to catch up to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East.

This will be the first time the Chiefs have ever played at AT&T stadium so it should be an interesting affair for everyone involved. Here are some of the most important matchups in what should be a very exciting contest.

Kansas City Chiefs run defense VS Ezekiel Elliott: The Chiefs will have their hands full this week as the Dallas Cowboys will head into what is typically a tough matchup with their star running back available. Ezekiel Elliott will be on the field which only spells trouble for Kansas City.

Over the last five weeks, the Chiefs have been especially vulnerable to opposing running backs as teams have repeatedly gashed them on the ground. They have been ranked 31st in run defense and have given up an average for 4.98 yards per carry.

Elliott has had some of his most productive outings of the season over the last three weeks and that should continue as the Chiefs will struggle to handle Elliott’s speed and power. Zeke is treating every game as if it his is last for the regular season, as a six-game suspension has been looming all season.

Expect Elliott to bring his A game for this contest as he looks for his touchdown streak to continue. Over the last two weeks, he has recorded over 140 rushing yards and two scores, that is a streak that is keeping fantasy football owners and Dallas Cowboys fans delighted.

Dak Prescott VS the Chiefs secondary: The Chiefs are not impervious to getting scored on in the air either and Dak Prescott will be looking to make more of an impact than he did in Week Eight.

During his last outing, Prescott only had to hand the ball off to Ezekiel Elliott 30 plus times as conditions were terrible (torrential rain and disruptive wind). This week he will get to return to his comfort zone as he plays in the calm atmosphere of AT&T stadium.

Prescott should find some big plays against a Chiefs secondary that struggles on the side opposite of Pro-Bowl cornerback, Marcus Peters. The Chiefs could get lit up from any angle however the Cowboys could continue their effective use of screen plays to keep the Chiefs defense off balance.

Dak and Dez should revive their connection in this matchup as both players should be able to find the end zone. The Chiefs have actually given up more points to quarterbacks than the Cowboys this season so this game could turn into a shootout.

More from Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys pass rush VS Kansas City pass rush: Both the Dallas Cowboys and the Kansas City Chiefs have players hurting along their defensive lines. Cowboys top pass rusher Demarcus Lawrence has been a bit banged up this week however he was full go at practice on Friday.

The same could not be said for Nebraska alum, Maliek Collins who missed practice on Friday. Stopping both Kareem Hunt and Ezekiel Elliott remains paramount for both defenses on Sunday and that could be a little tougher if Collins remains sidelined.

Let’s not forget, David Irving will also be facing his former team in the Chiefs and he will likely want to make a lasting impression. Irving has been one of the more disruptive pass rushers in the league since his return from suspension and should continue to make an impact on the field in Week Nine.

For the Chiefs, one of their better pass rushers, Dee Ford will likely sit out as he has not practiced all week. Justin Houston has been beaten up since their Week Eight matchup against the Denver Broncos and was limited.

Tamba Hali could also potentially miss this matchup which will leave the Chiefs struggling to put any pressure on the elusive Dak Prescott. Ultimately it will come down to which defense can stop Hunt or Elliott, and the Cowboys may have the edge in that regard.

Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce VS Cowboys secondary: The Dallas Cowboys secondary have been less than stellar this season but that is typically the case with a group of young players who are still learning the game.

This will be a big week for their development as they will face two of the most dangerous receiving weapons in the NFL. Hill is an absolute speed freak, one of the fastest players, if not the fastest in the NFL.

and Kelce is a bully who is agile and quick on his feet. He has been a little hot-headed in the past but should still pose a dangerous threat to the Cowboys throughout the entire contest.

The Chiefs other starting wide receiver, Albert Wilson will likely miss this matchup and that could be pretty helpful for Dallas. Hill is also an impeccable return man so the Cowboys must find a way to keep the ball out of his hands.

Next: Dallas Cowboys: Why Dak Prescott will only get better

Kicker VS Kicker: Mike Nugent versus Harrison Butker is quite possibly one of the best matchups of this contest. Nugent is the Cowboys newest addition on offense and performed fairly well against the Washington Redskins.

Butker has been absolutely on fire and should be the Chiefs starting kicker for the foreseeable future. In what should be a very tightly contested game, three points will matter more than they have all season long.

If both players make all of their attempts then this matchup could be a wash, however, Nugent must deliver whenever he is asked to kick. The Chiefs and Cowboys do not play each other that often and most of their contests are typically decided by one score or less. Hopefully, Dallas can focus on scoring touchdowns instead of special teams.

Home/Dallas Cowboys