On Thursday night, what are you going to focus on the most?
The Dallas Cowboys will host a game against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday for the second week in a row. In fact, this is the first time the Cowboys will play back-to-back home games this season. The Cowboys completely dominate their opponents at the welcoming confines of AT&T Stadium, as we have seen. Will they continue in this manner? When the Cowboys play the Seahawks, keep an eye out for these five things.
1. CONTAINO GENO
If there’s a trick to breaking through this Cowboys defense, it usually involves penalizing an overly aggressive pass rush. When quarterbacks choose to break the pocket and run, they have performed admirably against Dallas. Though they don’t face a particularly difficult running backfield, the Cowboys defense is among the bottom 10 in terms of most rushing yards allowed to quarterbacks. Though he’s not as much of a running threat as he once was, Geno Smith can still be slick, which could result in some additional first downs if the Cowboys decide not to stay at home.
2. ANOTHER BLAND PICK ON THE WAY
DaRon Bland is playing well this season and is a true magician when it comes to changing the perception of an open receiver. For the second-year corner, jumping a route and taking it to paydirt has become the norm. Given that Geno Smith has a slow windup and needs more time to get the ball out, the fun could continue. The Seahawks receivers frequently outpace their defenders only to have them close the distance in the end. Bland would be a great fit for this, so don’t be surprised if he makes a selection on Thursday. And bringing it inside the house? Who the hell would have guessed that?
3. TROUBLE FOR JOURDAN?
Bland and Stephon Gilmore are two talented cornerbacks for the Cowboys. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Tyler Lockett, and D.K. Metcalf are the three talented wide receivers for the Seahawks. Further math indicates that the Cowboys have one more talented receiver that they should cover. Because of this, Jourdan Lewis will probably have to cover Smith-Njigba, the slot receiver. The only weak point on the team’s secondary defense is Lewis, who has proven to be fairly beatable this year. The Cowboys defense doesn’t have many weak points, but Lewis is one of them, so expect the Seahawks to give their young rookie receiver plenty of playing time.
4. STEELE THE ONE?
Terence Steele is gradually beginning to look like his former self after a difficult first half of the season. He has recently put together some strong performances. He’ll play against defensive end Boye Mafe, a second-year player, who should be tough. The young edge rusher for the Seahawks is the only member of the team with more than four sacks. Mafe’s exceptional agility should test Steele’s ability to move laterally, which has been a problem for him a lot this season. If Steele has really turned the corner or if there are still obstacles in his path, this could be a useful checkpoint.
5. THAT’S A WRAP
The Cowboys offense has recently depended heavily on short passes to catch and little pitches to support a running game. Similar to this, CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, and KaVontae Turpin can use jet sweeps and bubble screens to gain extra yards by being elusive. This Seahawks defense has gaps, but once they get their hands on you, they usually close them. Their back seven can tackle thanks to physical safeties like Jamaal Adams and Julian Love and a strong linebacking tandem in Bobby Wagner and Jordyn Brooks.