The Dallas Cowboys will hit the road to open up the 2020 season against the Los Angeles Rams. Every time these two teams squared off against one another here recently it's been a slugfest and I expect nothing less this Sunday night. The team left standing in the end though will likely be the one who best exploits different matchups.
With that in mind, I thought I would share with you three key matchups I believe are worth watching in this Week 1 contest. I truly believe any one of these could help determine the outcome of this game. For the Dallas Cowboys, winning these matchup is the best way to secure a victory in my opinion.
Without further ado, let's get started…
DT Aaron Donald vs Cowboys Interior OL
The defensive line is the base on which the Los Angeles Rams entire defense is built upon, but it's Aaron Donald who no doubt highlights the group. He alone has the ability to be a thorn in the Dallas Cowboys side Sunday night, and as such, needs to be neutralized. That of course is easier said than done.
More than likely both Joe Looney and Connor Williams will be tasked with the job of neutralizing Aaron Donald to the best of their ability. I don't imagine him going head-to-head with Zack Martin very often, which leaves Looney and Williams. However this matchup turns out could go a long ways in determining the outcome of this game.
WR Amari Cooper vs CB Jalen Ramsey
Jalen Ramsey just recently became the highest-paid non-QB player in the NFL, and as such, will be asked to shut down his opponents best wide receiver each and every week. This week that player is none other than Amari Cooper, who also received a pretty big bump in pay this offseason. The battle between the two is definitely one worth watching.
With these two likely locking horns throughout the game though it should open things up for Michael Gallup, CeeDee Lamb, and the rest the Cowboys offensive weapons. Make no mistake though, Ramsey has the ability to change the course of the game on any given play. The Cowboys would be wise to avoid throwing his way as much as possible.
Rams LBs vs Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard
I could be completely wrong, but I believe the weak link of the Los Angeles Rams defense is there linebacker core. The Dallas Cowboys best chance of winning probably lies in their ability to exploit them on any given play. The best chance of doing that is more than likely using both Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard in the passing game.
The Cowboys are expected to use their RBs more in the passing game this season and this Week 1 matchup provides a perfect opportunity to do just that. Both Elliott and Pollard are excellent receivers and I don't think the Rams have a LB capable of containing them. I also wouldn't be surprised if Blake Jarwin is used to exploit this group as well.
