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Cowboys vs Chiefs: Week 9 Preview and Predictions

By Reid Hanson

AUSTIN, TX - OCTOBER 23: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders before the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on October 23, 2016 in Austin, United States. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - OCTOBER 23: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders before the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on October 23, 2016 in Austin, United States. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) /
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The 4-3 Dallas Cowboys host the 6-2 Kansas City Chiefs today at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Here’s what the Sport DFW staff is predicting…

This afternoon’s game pits two of the best offenses against each other in what promises to be a midseason shootout, sure to entertain. Kansas City, led by Alex Smith, Kareem Hunt, and Travis Kelce will be the Cowboys’ biggest test. The Cowboys will get pressure on Smith, but Hunt, Kelsey and Tyreek Hill will all have big days nonetheless.

On the flipside, the Cowboys offense is an unstoppable force itself. I expect a big day from Dez, Dak, Zeke, and even predict something significant from a role player like Noah Brown. 3rd downs will likely determine the winner in this game so the pressure is on Dak to convert. If Anthony Hitchens and Byron Jones can’t limit Kelce’s damage on 3rd downs, Dallas may be in for a long afternoon.

Top KC cornerback, Marcus Peters, presents problems for Dez Bryant. He’s big, physical, and confident. Look for the Cowboys to treat him much like they did Josh Norman a week before — by avoiding him.

The return of Ezekiel Elliott invigorates the entire Cowboys team that was bracing for the worst only days ago. The Chiefs appear to be the best team in the NFL but the Cowboys are going to play possessed today, winning the shootout and adding another notch to the win column.

Cowboys 35 Chiefs 31

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Dink Kearey Prediction

The Dallas Cowboys face the Kansas City Chiefs in another must win game if it wants to stay close to the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Chiefs will cause problems for the Cowboys secondary with their three explosive players: Travis Kelce, Kareem Hunt and, Tyreek Hill. But the Cowboys have Ezekiel Elliott for at least one more game and quite frankly, Zeke is going to be the difference in this game.

Expect Zeke to get over 30 carries because the Chiefs are allowing 5.0 yards for opposing running backs. And Zeke is going to have a field day as he runs for over the 150 yards and scores at least two touchdowns.

Dak Prescott will use his legs to help the Cowboys running game with the read option. There is no way the Cowboys don’t exploit the Chiefs weak run defense. With the Cowboys having the best running back in the game, coupled with the best offensive line, they have to take advantage of the Chiefs weaknesses.

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The Cowboys must exploit the Chiefs secondary because they’re very opportunistic jumping routes. Therefore, Dak must use pump fakes to help the Cowboys receivers make big plays. Dez Bryant, Cole Beasley and Brice Butler should have big games because the Chiefs corners love to take chances.

I expect the Dallas defense to harass Chiefs quarterback all afternoon, and with two teams very similar on offense, I expect the Cowboys to win a shootout, with Zeke having a big day.

 Cowboys 38 Chiefs 31  

Dan Ruppert Prediction

I had to wait to come up with prediction since the Hail Mary from Ezekiel Elliott was looming out there. If Zeke didn’t play I thought the Chiefs would win this game as I wasn’t quite sold the Cowboys could control the clock like they have been. Alfred Morris, Darren McFadden, and Keith Smith aren’t bad, they just haven’t played all that much and the Chiefs would be a tall order to start with.

Now that Elliott is playing I think the Cowboys can control the clock better and keep a Chiefs offense off the field. What I think will happen is this will still be a little bit of a high scoring affair, but Zeke will now carry on the way he has been. He will rack up about 150 yards on his way to another huge game.

Next: Next Three Games for Cowboys Will Determine Everything

I do think the Chiefs pose a threat if the Cowboys can’t control the clock, but with a suspension looming and the defense getting some confidence over the last two games this will be a Cowboys win, albeit a slim one. The final score won’t look as close as the game will be as the Cowboys win by 10.

Dallas Cowboys 33 – Kansas City Chiefs 23 

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