Cooper Rush and the Dallas Cowboys take on the New York Giants tonight in the first divisional game of the season.
The world was caving in on Dallas after its season-opening loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A poor showing offensively that yielded just three points and a hand injury to Dak Prescott had the fan base in meltdown.
Cooper Rush was thrust into the starting role against the Bengals and did a superb job. Many did not give Mike McCarthy's team a chance, but they managed a tough 20-17 win at home.
Up next is the improved New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on Monday Night Football. The Giants have won their games this season against the Titans and Panthers, mainly to Saquon Barkley. The running back has 236 rushing yards, getting just over six yards a carry.
For Dallas, it is the first division match-up of the year, and they will be looking to improve on last week's performance against Cincinnati.
But how do they do it?
1. Stop the Giants' run game
This feels like something that is said every week. In their two games, the Cowboys have allowed rushing totals of 152 (against the Buccaneers) and 89 (against the Bengals). For all the good Micah Parsons and the defense does, stopping the run isn't one of them.
Both teams are not outstanding at running the ball but are decent enough. Saquon Barkley is superb at running the football, and that will have to be the number one thing Dan Quinn and his defense must stop tonight.
Failure to do so will result in Barkley running wild in the Dallas secondary, which rarely ends well.
2. Rush & Co. to stay ahead of the chains
Complementary football sounds easy enough in theory, and against the Bengals, Dallas did a reasonably good job of doing just that. Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard were serviceable on the ground, which was complemented by the receiver's making catches when called upon.
The Giants allowed 146 rush yards last week against the Panthers, so when the run game is established early, they have trouble coming to terms with it. In terms of the passing game, Dallas could have its work cut out as the Giants' defense has not allowed more than 266 in the first two games.
Keeping Rush out of third-and-long situations is critical to Dallas' chances of winning this game, and it is something that Kellen Moore will need to consider tonight.
3. Let Parsons feast
With four sacks in the first two games, Micah Parsons has announced himself to the league as a star pass rusher if he hadn't already. The Giants' offensive line has allowed eight sacks in two games, compared to the Cowboys' makeshift line that has given up just three.
Lining Parsons up outside to allow him to get pressure on Jones is imperative, either that or line him up in different spots consistently to keep the Giants' offensive line guessing. We have seen what kind of a game-wrecker he can be when given a chance to rush the quarterback consistently.
Micah has not been alone, with Osa Odighizuwa, Dorance Armstrong, Leighton Vander Esch, Sam Williams, and Donovan Wilson all making plays. Forcing the ball out of Daniel Jones' hands quickly will undoubtedly lead to turnovers, as we know that he isn't exactly the best thrower of the football.
So, there you have it. Stop the run game, stay ahead of the chains and let Micah do his thing. Sounds simple enough, right?
