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

Previously we broke down the offense for this week’s upcoming sport 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 take care of his place on the sting and seemed 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 reach forcing a move from Lamar Jackson and rapidly rushed by way of the A-gap to succeed in him. Nonetheless, his efficiency in run protection was notably inconsistent.

This week, the Giants’ offensive line ranks among the many prime ten when it comes to pressures allowed, highlighting a major weak point inside the staff. Pressuring Daniel Jones and compelling him to make errors might be essential in disrupting their offense. Ought to this line of defense falter on this regard, significantly within the run sport that’s at the moment subpar in New York, the state of affairs might attain five-alarm in a short time.

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

Nonetheless, the run protection stays a priority for this unit, as they’re conceding a mean of 132 speeding yards per sport, 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 sport.
Win: Giants

LINEBACKER

The present state of affairs for the Cowboys linebackers is sort of difficult. The shortage of firmness within the line of defense has resulted in a sequence 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 additionally permits an extreme quantity of pointless speeding yards. Gamers comparable to Damone Clark and Eric Kendricks are exerting appreciable effort to rectify the state of affairs. 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 entire 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 provider and rapidly closing in when unimpeded. At present, the Giants’ protection is closely centered on move speeding, using each linebackers regularly in blitzing conditions

Conclusion:
The Cowboys’ offense has been working in a one-dimensional method, which aligns seamlessly with the taking part in fashion of the Giants. Consequently, the Giants’ most important vulnerability, their run protection, just isn’t confronted with a considerable problem from the Cowboys’ operating sport, permitting them to give attention to their strengths
Win: Giants

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Picture by Nic Antaya/Getty Photos

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Caelen Carson encountered difficulties in his earlier matchup towards the Ravens, a state of affairs that was anticipated in final week’s article. This week, Carson might not play as a result of harm. A big focal point on this matchup is the confrontation between Trevon Diggs and Malik Nabers. Throughout the offseason, Nabers expressed his eagerness to compete towards Diggs and emerge victorious. Not too long ago, Nabers had a powerful efficiency, accumulating 78 yards and scoring two touchdowns. Conversely, Diggs is contending with a line of defense that has struggled to use strain, 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 constructive be aware. He has permitted a completion charge of 56% so far and recorded two move breakups; nonetheless, 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 powerful affect 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; nonetheless, 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 staff 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 staff is lucky to have him on board. Final week, Aubrey efficiently transformed two subject targets, together with a powerful 65-yard try. He additionally added one additional level, positioning him because the league chief in kicking.

Though Graham Gano is designated because the staff’s kicker, he has been sidelined as a result of a hamstring harm 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 position this week.

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