The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for yet another road matchup versus an AFC East opponent.
Dallas has emerged victorious this season versus the baby brothers of the AFC East with early home victories over the New York Jets and New England Patriots.
They met their match last week when bumping facemasks with bigger brother Buffalo last week, falling in deflating fashion by the score of 31-10.
The biggest brother is on deck this Sunday as Dallas will spend Christmas Eve in Miami taking on the Dolphins.
Miami, led by young and creative HC Mike McDaniel, have risen to a contender in the AFC, holding the top seed in the conference just two weeks ago.
Baltimore has since overtaken that spot, but Miami is right in the mix featuring an explosive offense known for its creative scheme and the most deadly trait an offense can have: speed.
Speed, speed, and more speed is what the Cowboys’ defense is going up against, and it will take some bold play to overcome the loss in Buffalo and get back into the winning column.
Today, let’s discuss my bold predictions for the Cowboys in their Week 16 matchup at the Miami Dolphins.
Remember, my bold predictions are meant to appear far-fetched, but still in the realm of possibility.
The 2 Teams Will Smash the Over
For two offenses near the top of the league in virtually every category, Vegas setting the line at O/U 49.5 seems criminally low.
The offenses rank first and second in scoring.
Miami comes in top of the league with 31.5 points per game while Dallas is right on their heels at 30.8 points per game.
Dolphins’ QB Tua Tagovailoa leads the NFL with 3,921 passing yards, and his total offense ranks first with 414 yards per game.
The weapons at Tua’s disposal are like a video game.
WR Tyreek Hill is the most explosive weapon in the world, and he is very near his preseason goal of being the first wide receiver to hit the 2,000-yard receiving mark.
Opposite him is Jaylen Waddle, another speed demon who also has the short-area quickness to get himself open and then wiggle away from defenders for bigger gains.
In the backfield is the dynamic duo of Raheem Mostert and Devon Achane, who have combined for 1,579 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns.
The Cowboys’ offense is no slouch either and combined will smash the over on the betting line to the tune of nearly 80 total points.
Micah Parsons Will Record 3 Sacks
This prediction is bold because Tua Tagovailoa has one of the quickest releases in the NFL at 2.3 seconds from snap to throw.
The Dolphins’ offense is a mash of crossing routes and screen concepts that lull the defense to sleep before hitting a big play over the top.
According to Cowboys CB Stephon Gilmore, the key to slowing the Dolphins’ passing attack is to play close to the line of scrimmage and disrupt the routes.
Hill and Waddle won’t be given those easy quick screens and Tua will be forced to hold the ball longer than he is accustomed to.
The defensive backs slowing routes on the outside will allow Dallas’ defensive freak Micah Parsons to record his first three-sack game of his career.
Those three sacks will also push him over the 15.0 sack threshold for the first time in his career, and insert him back near the top of the NFL Defensive Player of the Year discussion.
Dak Prescott Will Throw 4 Touchdowns
This isn’t too bold for the fact that Dak Prescott has thrown for four touchdowns in a game three other times this season.
It’s bold because he will accomplish that feat on the road for the first time this season.
Prescott’s three games with four touchdown passes all came at AT&T Stadium over the Commanders, Giants, and Rams.
Dak’s numbers show a large discrepancy between home and away this season, and the Cowboys’ 3-4 road record is a direct result of that.
In those home wins, Dallas has scored 45, 49, and 43 points.
The amount of points needed to hang with the Dolphins offense in Hard Rock Stadium will likely need to be above 40 points.
Dak Prescott will light up the Dolphins’ defense for over 300 yards passing and four touchdowns to lead the Cowboys to victory.