Coming off of the biggest shutout win in recent memory, the Dallas Cowboys now focus their sights on the New York Jets.
Dallas will return to AT&T Stadium for the first time this season, but the matchup is not as juicy as it appeared all offseason.
We Cowboys fans have been robbed.
In the Wildcard round last season, Dallas exorcised some very old demons by finally beating Tom Brady for their only win against him in his storied 23 year career.
The Cowboys and their fans viewed that victory as a stepping stone for greatness to come.
Finally, Tom Terrific was neutralized, and to many it signaled a true changing of the guard.
That’s the same kind of feeling we have all been looking forward to since the NFL schedule was released just a few months ago.
The home opener was circled on many calendars, as it signaled the return of Aaron Rodgers to AT&T Stadium.
Dallas has defeated Rodgers three times in his career, but he has won more often than not, and most importantly has two heartbreaking playoff wins versus the Cowboys.
Unfortunately, Rodgers ruptured his Achilles tendon just four plays into his Jets tenure, and the opportunity to bury him under the AT&T Stadium turf blew away in the MetLife Stadium breeze.
The Jets do have a formidable defense that will make an interesting matchup, but you didn’t click on this article for normal analysis.
You saw the word “bold” in the headline, and you want to see what kind of possible, yet slightly far fetched performances we can expect from the Cowboys and Jets this weekend.
Let’s get to it.
The Tight End Group Will Combine For Over 100 Yards
This might not seem like a bold prediction, but after the way the tight end group failed to contribute to the passing game last Sunday night, it would be a huge improvement.
The trio of Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker, and Peyton Hendershot combined for two receptions for 11 yards.
Combined is also a strong word. Ferguson was solely responsible for the putrid production.
It’s not like the opportunity wasn’t there. Ferguson received seven targets, but also had two drops.
Hendershot received one target that if he had managed to make the catch, would have been a touchdown.
It was a blatant drop on an absolute dime throw by Dak Prescott.
The Buffalo Bills, who are notorious for poor tight end utilization in their offense, completed seven passes on eight targets to their tight ends versus the Jets on Monday Night Football.
Dallas isn’t going to just drop back and fire away at a defense that intercepted Bills’ QB Josh Allen three times.
The Cowboys will want to establish the run, and utilize play action pass off of that.
If you saw the connection between Prescott and Dalton Schultz last year on play action, you can see how Ferguson can have a big game.
Hendershot and Schoonmaker will chip in as well, and the group will finish over the century mark in receiving yards.
Dallas Will Score Two Touchdowns On Sauce Gardner
The Jets top cornerback is Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner.
As a rookie last season, Sauce was selected 1st team All-Pro and Defensive Rookie of the Year.
He famously only allowed one receiving touchdown on the season, and it came all the way in Week 2, just the second game of his career.
The Jets pulled off the victory versus the Bills on Monday, but Sauce had arguably the least dominant game of his short time in the NFL.
He was targeted four times, and all four passes were completed for 59 yards.
It might not seem like much, but there were only three games in 2022 where he allowed more than four catches.
As good as he is, Sauce will have to deal with CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, and Michael Gallup.
I’m going bold, and saying Gardner gives up not only one, but two touchdowns to double the amount he has allowed in 18 career games played.
The Defense Will Surpass Seven Sacks
After a 40-0 shellacking of the Giants, it’s difficult to believe the Cowboys defense can play any better.
The Giants offensive line was Swiss cheese, and gave up a whopping 33 QB pressures and seven sacks on 35 drop backs.
Enter the Jets offensive line, who are responsible for Rodgers lasting only four plays as a member of the team before leaving with injury.
The Bills defensive line, which isn’t nearly as dominant or talented as Dallas, registered three sacks and eight quarterback hits.
Micah Parsons and the rest of the defensive line have to be salivating at the chance to rush Zach Wilson.
The Cowboys will not only match their sack total from Week 1, but they will exceed it by registering 10 sacks on Sunday afternoon.