Week 5 Preview: Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Rams

The Cowboys head back on the road this weekend to take on the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams are coming off a Monday night defeat at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers, a game in which they failed to score a touchdown, losing 24-9.

The Cowboys are one of two teams, including the Niners, that has yet to give up 20 points in a game this season. Many thought that would end in back-to-back weeks for both teams, but outside of Cooper Kupp, the Rams’ offense was limited. Matthew Stafford threw the ball 48 times for 254 yards and one interception.

The Cowboys need to clamp down on the run in this game and force them to pass the football. What is the Cowboys’ biggest weakness on defense, stopping the run?

Although the defense has been dominant, no doubt about it, they have to get better at stopping the run. The Cowboys are allowing five yards per carry and have given up 20 runs of 10 yards or more in four games, including two of at least 30 yards in the past two games. I am sure we all remember what Cam Akers did to them in the playoffs a few years ago; let’s try to avoid that from happening again.

As of right now, the #Cowboys defense has allowed the most explosive running plays (10+ yards) and the highest explosive run % this season.
— John Owning (@JohnOwning) October 3, 2022

Don’t expect the Rams not to find the end zone again this week; Dallas will have to score some points early and try to stay ahead and force the Rams out of the run, much like the 49ers did. The Rams could only muster 57 yards on the ground on less than 20 carries.

I will go out on a limb and say Aaron Donald will probably cause some problems. I would love to see Kellen Moore’s game plan similar to last week. The run game was not great by any means, but he stuck with it to make the reads easier for Cooper Rush.

With Jalen Ramsey all over the field, having Michael Gallup back is a massive bonus for Rush and the offense. Dak Prescott cannot grip the football well enough yet to suit up, so his return might have to wait until the following week at Philly.

The plus for the Cowboys is their defensive front and ability to rush the passer. The Rams’ offensive line is a liability, and they have given up the second most sacks this season with 16, only one off the top mark. The Cowboys’ defense is currently second in sacks as a team through four weeks.

Micah Parsons has looked a little off the last few weeks but still makes an impact up front.

Cowboys DC Dan Quinn gave his unit the home work assignment of watching the Rams on Monday night football. Suffice it to say, they like what they are seeing with all these 49ers sacks on Matt Stafford.
Fresh meat with Rams OL on short week.
The Cowboys have the best rush in NFL
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) October 4, 2022

Every win in this league is a good one, regardless of who you play, but the Cowboys have owned divisional games for years. Rush has done an exceptional job of doing what he needed to, stepping in and producing enough to win three games. If the Cowboys fall behind a couple of scores this Sunday, we might be able to see if Rush can find a way to win when it all rests on his shoulders.

The defense should do ENOUGH to keep them within a couple of scores; it will be up to the offense if they have to get away from the run and win this game behind Rush’s arm.

I want the Cowboys to win every game, obviously, and they put themselves in a great spot as the more demanding part of their schedule is now staring them in the face. If they happen to drop a few games, they will find themselves still in the thick of things in the very odd NFC.