Place battleground (protection): Cowboys vs Giants head-to-head breakdown

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 how the defensive positions and particular groups stack up towards one another

DEFENSIVE LINE

The problems with the line of defense persist, as evidenced by their efficiency final week towards the Baltimore Ravens, the place they had been simply overpowered but once more. Mazi Smith was simply shifted off the road a number of instances. DeMarcus Lawrence struggled to keep up his place on the sting and gave the impression to be out of sync. Carl Lawson participated this week, contributing eight snaps, throughout which he carried out adequately. Micah Parsons is experiencing a difficult begin to his 2024 season; he discovered it troublesome to penetrate the Ravens’ backfield, regardless of Mike Zimmer using him in numerous positions alongside the road. He did achieve forcing a go from Lamar Jackson and shortly rushed via the A-gap to succeed in him. Nevertheless, his efficiency in run protection was notably inconsistent.

This week, the Giants’ offensive line ranks among the many high ten by way of pressures allowed, highlighting a major weak point throughout the group. Pressuring Daniel Jones and compelling him to make errors shall be essential in disrupting their offense. Ought to this line of defense falter on this regard, notably within the run recreation that’s at the moment subpar in New York, the scenario may attain five-alarm in a short time.

The Giants’ line of defense stands out as a major energy for the group within the go rush. They’ve established a transparent id, which is at the moment a serious contributor to the group’s current momentum. Presently, the group has 14 sacks and has recorded a complete of 64 pressures, surpassing Dallas on this regard. Dexter Lawrence is on the forefront, main the group in each pressures and sacks, demonstrating his effectiveness as a defensive deal with over the previous few seasons. On the sides, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux have collectively generated 15 pressures, whereas Azeez Ojulari has bolstered the protection with two sacks so far.

Nevertheless, the run protection stays a priority for this unit, as they’re conceding a mean of 132 speeding yards per recreation, inserting them among the many backside ten within the league, though they’ve solely permitted one speeding landing. This efficiency is notably superior to Dallas, which ranks final in each speeding touchdowns allowed and common speeding yards per recreation.
Win: Giants

LINEBACKER

The present scenario for the Cowboys linebackers is kind of difficult. The dearth of firmness within the line of defense has resulted in a collection of unlucky occasions for this group of linebackers. The frequency of missed tackles among the many Dallas defenders is alarmingly excessive, which not solely exhausts the gamers but in addition permits an extreme quantity of pointless speeding yards. Gamers similar to Damone Clark and Eric Kendricks are exerting appreciable effort to rectify the scenario. Collectively, the linebackers have recorded seven missed tackles this season, a stark distinction to Clark’s efficiency final 12 months, the place he had just one missed deal with all through your complete season.

Micah McFadden and Bobby Okereke function the first linebackers for the Giants, collectively attaining 9 pressures and 4 sacks. McFadden, using his pace, has been efficient in reaching the ball service and shortly closing in when unimpeded. Presently, the Giants’ protection is closely centered on go speeding, using each linebackers incessantly in blitzing conditions

Conclusion:
The Cowboys’ offense has been working in a one-dimensional method, which aligns seamlessly with the taking part in model of the Giants. Consequently, the Giants’ most important vulnerability, their run protection, shouldn’t be confronted with a considerable problem from the Cowboys’ working recreation, permitting them to concentrate on their strengths
Win: Giants

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Photograph by Nic Antaya/Getty Photos

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Caelen Carson encountered difficulties in his earlier matchup towards the Ravens, a scenario that was anticipated in final week’s article. This week, Carson could not play as a result of damage. A major focal point on this matchup is the confrontation between Trevon Diggs and Malik Nabers. In the course of the offseason, Nabers expressed his eagerness to compete towards Diggs and emerge victorious. Lately, Nabers had a formidable efficiency, accumulating 78 yards and scoring two touchdowns. Conversely, Diggs is contending with a line of defense that has struggled to use stress, permitting three receptions on 4 targets.

Deonte Banks, the Giants’ first-round draft choose from the earlier 12 months, has commenced his second season on a optimistic word. He has permitted a completion charge of 56% to date and recorded two go breakups; nevertheless, he has additionally allowed three touchdowns, which is a priority. The agile defensive again goals to problem CeeDee Lamb, who has skilled a sluggish begin to the season. Security Jason Pinnock has made a formidable influence with three sacks this season, though he has additionally recorded 4 missed tackles. Veteran nook Adoree Jackson and rookie nook Dru Phillips from Kentucky have each been dominated out of the sport.

Conclusion:
The defensive backs of the Cowboys possess appreciable expertise; nevertheless, they’re encountering challenges as a result of assist they obtain from the line of defense. In the meantime, the Giants are up towards the highest group within the league for passing yards, dealing with the formidable duo of CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson.
Win: Cowboys

SPECIAL TEAMS

The “Aubrey Coast” offense stays in full swing, and the group is lucky to have him on board. Final week, Aubrey efficiently transformed two area objectives, together with a formidable 65-yard try. He additionally added one additional level, positioning him because the league chief in kicking.

Though Graham Gano is designated because the group’s kicker, he has been sidelined as a result of a hamstring damage and is anticipated to be unavailable for a number of extra weeks. Within the interim, Greg Joseph has been signed and is more likely to tackle the beginning function this week.

KaVontae Turpin had a restricted influence as a returner final week, recording two honest catches, however he did handle to attain a landing on offense, decreasing the group’s deficit late within the recreation. Eric Gray at the moment ranks third in whole kickoff return yards and twenty fifth in punt return yards.
Win: Cowboys