IT DOESN’T GET EASIER FOR COWBOYS DEFENSIVE BACKS VS THE CHARGERS

If you’re a Cowboys cornerback not named Trevon Diggs, you should be coming into week 2 with redemption on your mind. The Cowboys roll into Los Angeles with another tall task, literally. Week 1 saw the Dallas secondary fighting but constantly being gut-punched by their own. Anthony Brown was the punching bag of choice for […]

Will Steele
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Dec 22, 2018; Carson, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers receivers Mike Williams (81) and Keenan Allen (13) enter the field through lasers before the game against the Balitmore Ravens at StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

If you’re a Cowboys cornerback not named Trevon Diggs, you should be coming into week 2 with redemption on your mind. The Cowboys roll into Los Angeles with another tall task, literally.

Week 1 saw the Dallas secondary fighting but constantly being gut-punched by their own. Anthony Brown was the punching bag of choice for Tom Brady. Targeting the cornerback 9 times for an 89% completion rate and 3 explosive plays allowed.

Jourdan Lewis while better, was still not good enough. The box score will read 1 interception, on a hail mary, but will also show he was targeted 10 times with a TD allowed. The most notable catch being the controversial non-OPI on Chris Godwin.

Trevon Diggs

Dallas Cowboys
Sep 9, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (7) celebrates after making an interception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports

The lone star out of week 1 at cornerback was Trevon Diggs. He essentially erased WR Mike Evans. Diggs lined up against Evans 83% of the time yielding 1 reception for 10 yards on 3 targets. Shut down.

Diggs is showing he can match up against a team's number 1 WR week in and week out. The problem is on the other side.

The Cowboys will run into that same problem in week 2 versus the Chargers and their big targets. Diggs thrives against the bigger body WRs. Los Angeles deploys two of them who can carve you up.

The Chargers Wideouts

Chargers WR's stat line week 1 vs Washington
Chargers WR’s stat line week 1 vs Washington

Keenan Allen, the elite route runner offers the most challenging of the two because he can present himself open without much contest. Against the Washington Football Team Allen had 12 targets 9 receptions and 100 yards. Of his 12 targets, only 1 of them was contested. Showcasing his ability to get open.

On the contrary, WR Mike Williams isn’t nearly as good of a route runner but for QB Justin Herbert he doesn’t have to be. Williams was targeted just as much with 8 receptions 82 yards and a touchdown. The difference is Williams had half of his targets contested.

This means a few things, Herbert truly does not care if Williams is covered. His catch radius will give the young QB confidence to go to him. And he will. It presents a huge problem if Dallas lines Diggs up on Allen, the number one WR.

A Solution

While Diggs may have the talent and resume to go up against Allen, the move may be for him to shadow Williams. His physicality and skill could present a bigger issue for Williams than either Brown or Lewis. Who are tiny in comparison to Williams.

This will allow Dallas to throw double teams at Allen with the remaining DBs and live with the results. However, the Cowboys will be faced with a problem either way.

Look for the Chargers to get Allen going in the slot as well. He played 37 snaps there, 28 on the outside versus Washington. This means Lewis will be tasked to contain the pro bowl WR.

However the Cowboys decided to scheme it up, it will be a tall order for the secondary.

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