For Dallas Cowboys, Everything Starts with Run Defense vs. Rams

Who’s scared of Goff?

Assuming the Dallas Cowboys can accomplish these feats (once again, this seems like a big “if”), the Rams’ playoff dreams would rest solely in Jared Goff’s hands. Sporting an 84.4 passer rating and a 15:14 TD/INT ratio thus far through 2019, it’s clear Goff isn’t the same player he was the last two seasons.

If Kris Richard can force Goff to constantly beat his defense, the Rams could be in some serious trouble. 2019 has been the year of eye-popping themes for the once highly-touted QB : Poor decision making, sporadic inaccuracy, and overall inconsistency have all crept into his game.

The latest examples:

If these Dallas Cowboys have any hope of crawling back to .500 in time for their all-important NFCE showdown against Philadelphia, forcing the game into Jared Goff’s hands seem their surest bet.

Dallas has performed (and coached) far too incompetently for an electric Dak Prescott-led offense to keep clawing the franchise back into unwinnable games. Although that offense faces a tough Rams defense this week, the offensive talent is all but sure to net enough points. Here lies yet another reason to emphasize the run D, as Sean McVay will doubly look to use his ground game to keep Prescott on the sidelines.

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While it’s true both sides (and yes, I’m looking at the ST unit and Kai Forbath, too) need to play this game with astounding emphasis, it’s Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliot, Amari Cooper, and Michael Gallup who should be afforded the rock at every chance. Furthermore (but most frustrating), not playing with mediocracy at every turn likely limits the potential for game-altering (hindering) coaching decisions made famous by Jason Garrett.

I very much enjoy my sleep and healthy blood pressure – I’d rather bottle up my sadness for the playoffs. (Don’t worry, Cowboys Nation – I’m joking about that last part…sorta.)

Similar to any other week, the initial Rams game-plan seems all but set. With not much longer until Kickoff, everything now lies on the players to ultimately decide their fate.

And for the Dallas Cowboys, that fate begins with run defense.