Previously we broke down the offense for this week’s upcoming recreation for the Dallas Cowboys. Now we dive again into the place battleground, this time taking a look at how the defensive positions and particular groups stack up towards one another.
DEFENSIVE LINE
The Cowboys discover themselves grappling with a essential vulnerability —the defensive position. Initially considered a possible hassle spot in preseason, it has since morphed right into a evident legal responsibility, significantly with latest accidents testing the roster’s depth. Maybe essentially the most regarding absence is that of Micah Parsons, the dynamic game-changer whose explosive presence has been sorely missed. With Parsons sidelined, the defensive position now faces an uphill battle towards one of many NFL’s premier offensive strains.
Recognized for his or her formidable run-blocking capabilities, the San Francisco 49ers boast a unit that excels at creating lanes and mauling opposing entrance sevens. The looming matchup solely provides to the considerations in regards to the basis of the Cowboys’ protection, which may discover itself overwhelmed within the trenches.
The Dallas defensive position is struggling beneath the burden of staggering statistics, permitting an alarming sixth-most speeding yards per recreation. Paired with the nightmarish determine of a 47% first-down share allowed on the bottom, one can virtually hear the gulp of tension echoing all through Cowboys Nation. Jerry Jones revealed to reporters Parsons’ standing is shrouded in uncertainty, with whispers of “day-to-day” being talked about, so control his follow standing this week.
Of all of the place teams on each offense and protection this one is the furthest aside when it comes to high quality between these two groups. On the forefront of this dialogue stands Nick Bosa. His imposing presence on the sector cranks up the depth for an already formidable 49ers protection, which prides itself on suffocating offenses and snuffing out their momentum. Statistically, the 49ers are making their mark by permitting the tenth-fewest first downs per recreation—a powerful feat that underscores their containment talents. Equally, they’re displaying outstanding prowess towards the run, allowing the ninth-lowest speeding yards per try.
So how does Nick Bosa match into all this? Aside from possessing a chilling skill to repeatedly disrupt performs earlier than they even develop, he has tallied six tackles for loss this season, rating him sixth amongst all defensive gamers. Furthermore, his 25 whole tackles place him sixth amongst all defensive ends, an achievement reflective of his relentless pursuit of the ball.
Leonard Floyd ranks second on the group with three sacks. His relentless pursuit and tenacity have made him an important asset on the sector. However the story doesn’t finish with Floyd. In a accident, he shares the highlight with an previous good friend, Maliek Collins, who additionally boasts three sacks this season.
Win: 49ers
LINEBACKER
Eric Kendricks may very well be again this week. There will probably be some unhealthy blood between Kendricks and the 49ers after he agreed phrases within the offseason solely to heel flip on the final second and be part of Dallas. Regulate his follow designation by the week. Damone Clark had one in every of his higher outings towards the Lions and hopefully we get to see extra his manufacturing this week. Marist Liufau continues to point out he’s a stable protection linebacker, however his lack of expertise exhibits towards the run. DeMarvion Overshown is now second on the group in tackles with 41.
Fred Warner is displaying no indicators of slowing down and is without doubt one of the greatest linebackers within the league. His 58 whole tackles is ninth-most within the league and he’s even registered a sack this 12 months. He’s a bodily presence within the field and his instincts for the place are each subsequent stage. De’Vondre Campbell has the second-most tackles among the many linebackers. The veteran linebacker got here from Inexperienced Bay final 12 months to assist help Warner and to this point he’s carried out an excellent job.
Conclusion:
Kendricks is absolutely essential to have again this week to assist direct the protection to cease the run. He’s important for what the Cowboys might want to do to cease this operating assault from the 49ers. The problem for this linebacker unit is the shortage of assist it will get from the defensive position, one thing the 49ers counterparts can say they do have.
Win: 49ers
DEFENSIVE BACKS
There’s an opportunity Parsons comes again this week, an opportunity Kendricks comes again, but in addition Cowboys followers may very well be in luck and see DaRon Bland again and eventually get to see this secondary with each Trevon Diggs and Bland taking part in collectively. The 49ers vast receiver corps is totally decimated at this level and so they may very well be taking a look at a rookie vast receiver, who was a sufferer of a taking pictures incident within the offseason, to play as a beginning vast receiver. Hold an in depth watch on not simply the 49ers vast receivers follow designations this week, but in addition George Kittle as he offers with a foot harm that might depart him sidelined.
The 49ers are permitting 205 passing yards per recreation, which is ten yards lower than Dallas, and has allowed one much less passing landing. The place this secondary is profitable although is with interceptions the place they rank fourth with a complete of eight interceptions. Charvarius Ward is the group’s major cornerback and he missed time in Week 6. He’s allowed a 53% completion fee and a passer score of 90.2 to this point this season. Isaac Yiadom was on the other facet however just lately the group have been placing rookie Renardo Inexperienced in over Yiadom and towards the Chiefs the snap distinction between the 2 was huge, with Inexperienced taking part in over 40 snaps and Yiadom solely 5. When CeeDee Lamb will get to the slot he’ll face Deommodore Lenoir who allowed a passer score of simply 47.9 towards him final 12 months.
Conclusion:
You need to take not simply the standard of backs each groups have, but in addition the competitors each side face. Dallas’ secondary has a method simpler group of move catchers to defend than San Francisco, and that goes alongside method right here.
Win: Cowboys
SPECIAL TEAMS
Brandon Aubrey, yep he’s the person alright. He scored the one factors for the group towards the Lions and it’s clear this “Aubrey Coast” offense is in full swing. The group is extraordinarily fortunate to have his abilities and he at the moment ranks twelfth amongst kickers with a 90% subject objective accuracy. He’s second within the league with most subject targets made, and subject targets made for makes an attempt of fifty yards or extra, Aubrey is true up there in second place.
San Francisco did have Jake Moody as their place kicker however he received’t swimsuit up this week towards Dallas after sustaining an ankle harm. They’ve Anders Carlson to take over kicking duties and he made two subject targets from two makes an attempt final week.
KaVontae Turpin is third within the league in common punt return yards and he now has two different gamers that be part of him in punt returns for a landing. Towards the Lions he had a fantastic 79-yard kickoff return, hopefully we get some extra of his electrifying performs.
Jacob Cowing does the vast majority of punt return work for San Francisco and he averages six yards per return. This ballot is closed
(19 votes)
(166 votes)
Win: Cowboys
Ballot
Which group has the higher protection?
10%
Dallas Cowboys
89%
San Francisco 49ers
185 votes whole
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