The Dallas Cowboys are supposed to cruise through a win on Sunday against the Aaron Rodgers-less New York Jets as they're favored by nine points entering Week 2.

But is this not the NFL we're talking about? No game is easy in a league like this and last time I checked, Rodgers doesn't play on defense, where the Jets' biggest strength really is.

The Cowboys are rightly favored as they're pretty legit themselves and a team worthy of being considered a Super Bowl contender in 2023. But there are several matchups the team must win against some of the best players on the Jets' roster. Let's dive into their top threats and who must step up on the Cowboys' side of things. 

WR Garrett Wilson

Matching up against: CB Stephon Gilmore, Trevon Diggs

Wilson is gonna face a dire test versus the Cowboys' secondary as Zach Wilson fights to stay alive against the Micah Parsons-led siege. Given his tendency to play on the outside, it seems like it'll be up to Diggs and Gilmore to stop him. I wonder if one of the two will shadow him throughout the game.

If Gilmore's debut as a Cowboy is any indication, we're in for a great season from the former Defensive Player of the Year. He had three pass breakups and held Daniel Jones to a passer rating of 12.5 last weekend when targeted. 

DL Quinnen Williams

Matching up against: LG Chuma Edoga

Left guard Tyler Smith is on track to miss his second game of the season as he's listed as doubtful on Friday's injury report. The Jets' defensive line is filled with talent and there are several names worthy of being mentioned here like John Franklin-Myers (who had eight pressures last week) or even pass-rush specialist Bryce Huff. But it all starts with three-technique defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.

Chances are the Jets will consistently line him up where he can deal the most damage: backup guard Chuma Edoga. 

RB Breece Hall

Matching up against: LB Leighton Vander Esch, Damone Clark, Markquese Bell

The Jets – and maybe every other team this season – will try to pound the rock against this Cowboys defense until they can't. It's not even that Dan Quinn's unit is bad against the run (they ranked Top 5 in the league in EPA/play and success rate versus the run last year) but it's awfully preferable to dropping back against Parsons & Co. 

The key will be in not letting Hall hit the home runs. Last week, the Jets' longest plays happened through Hall running the football as he gained 83 yards in one play and 26 in another.  

Bell looked stunningly comfortable playing linebacker after recently converting from safety. 

CB Sauce Gardner & S Jordan Whitehead

Matching up against: QB Dak Prescott and WRs

Whitehead led the Jets to victory on Monday Night Football with three interceptions versus Josh Allen and the Bills. He's only one part of the puzzle of one of the best secondaries in football.

But Dak Prescott made zero turnover-worthy plays versus the New York Giants last weekend. Can he keep it up now that he's likely to be asked for more? 

The Cowboys could also be down WR Brandin Cooks, who is questionable ahead of Sunday's game with a sprained MCL. That'd leave Michael Gallup and Jalen Tolbert to face Sauce Gardner, one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL while CeeDee Lamb mans the slot. 

Returner Xavier Gipson (WR)

Matching up against: John Fassel’s special teams

Gipson called game with a walk-off 65-yard punt return touchdown on Monday night. He's been a threat since his college days as a specialist and has been turning heads since the Jets' camp/preseason. 

Fassel's unit, who is using many new faces on special teams including Jalen Tolbert as a starting gunner, better be ready to tackle him on Sunday. 

Dez Bryant is pounding the table for Cowboys to make blockbuster trade

Dallas Cowboys legend Dez Bryant recently tweeted an idea that would make the offense must-watch TV.

Featured image via Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports