The Dallas Cowboys are on the road this week to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Cowboys (10-3) come into this week after narrowly escaping the Texans at home last week. The Jaguars (5-8) have won two out of their last three games, including on the road a week ago when they defeated the Titans 36-22.
The Jags have been competitive at times this season, and when Trevor Lawrence is clicking like the No. 1 overall pick he was, they tend to play well. He threw for 368 yards and three touchdowns last week.
The Cowboys' defense will need to be on their toes and regain the pass rush that was nonexistent last week.
Travis Etienne is a solid back who has only started eight games but has rushed 163 times for 814 yards and four scores. With a struggling rush defense, the Cowboys need to be ready for a heavy dose of him and very underrated pass-catchers on the Jags' offense. Christian Kirk, Jay Jones, Jamal Agnew, Marvin Jones, and Evan Engram.
Engram had his best day as a pro last week, hauling 11 passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns. This team is not one you can take lightly; they have players all over the field that will beat you.
The matchup Sunday will mark the 8th all-time meeting between the two teams. The Cowboys lead the series 4-3, including winning two consecutive against them. The last meeting occurred in 2018, and the Cowboys won 40-7.
Dallas will not win this game convincingly but say all you want; they won't look like they did last week. I fully expect the Cowboys to play much better on offense, and they won't rely on a 98-yard game-winning drive to get the victory. The team signed TY Hilton this week, but I would expect him to make his debut next week against Philly.
BREAKING: the Cowboys have officially signed 4-Time Pro Bowl wide receiver @TYHilton13.
Learn more → https://t.co/IZTClopSbg#DallasCowboys | @blockchain pic.twitter.com/pAp0yp3Spq
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 12, 2022
This game is much more important than the average football thinks, and both teams can steal their respective divisions from the current leader.
With the win over Tennessee last week, the Jags have put themselves within striking distance of stealing the ACF South, they are now only 1.5 games behind the Titans, so this team is not going to lay down. With the last meeting between the two coming in week 18, every win for them is essential.
The Cowboys are in the same boat, and with a win, they can keep the pressure on the Eagles. Those two meet on Christmas Eve, and if Dallas can beat them, one more loss by Philly puts the Cowboys into first place and the one seed in the NFC. (Dallas would have a better division record).
Game Result
This game will be within 10-14 most of the time. The Cowboys' offense will be fine with Tyron Smith playing this week, even with the loss of Terence Steele. Some better pass protection is needed. I expect Dallas to lean on a middle-of-the-pack defense both through the air and on the ground.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on @1053thefan on LT Tyron Smith: “As I see it right now, he'll be playing Sunday.”
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) December 13, 2022
I expect a similar game plan as the Lions had against them two weeks ago. They ran the ball 25 times, and although Jared Goff threw it 41 times, he didn't need to.
The Cowboys will look much better this week and handle business. They win this one 31-24.
