Dallas Cowboys: Key Players Needing to Step Up for Game One
For the second year in a row, the Dallas Cowboys open the season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Last season, the two played a close game that came down to the wire to the end. Resulting in a 31-29 Tampa Bay win. Dak Prescott was right about seeing Tom Brady and the Bucc's again. Just […]
For the second year in a row, the Dallas Cowboys open the season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Last season, the two played a close game that came down to the wire to the end. Resulting in a 31-29 Tampa Bay win.
Dak Prescott was right about seeing Tom Brady and the Bucc's again. Just maybe later than he originally expected.
Dak is only one of a number of players who will need to play big. Micah Parsons, Trevon Diggs, DeMarcus Lawrence, Dalton Schultz, CeeDee Lamb, etc. These are obvious players.
Who else? Who are the players that need to play big? Whether the spotlight is on them or not, they're in position to be highlighted all game long.
Aside from the clear and obvious superstars, these are who need to show up big in this first matchup.
RB Tony Pollard
Whether it's out of the backfield or on the line of scrimmage, Pollard will need to factor. The Dallas Cowboys coaching staff seems adamant about using Pollard more, but we've heard that before.
If he does factor into this game, it will most often come as a receiver. This same Bucc's defense held the Cowboys running game ineffective. If Dak is forced to throw it a heavy amount, and feels the pressure from their front seven, an emergency option like Pollard will be effective for plays after the catch.
If the Cowboys are going to run the ball, it will primarily be between the tackles. Meaning more of Ezekiel Elliott as opposed to Pollard. Look for plenty of underneath and out routes from him to get the ball moving down the field as Prescott learns to find reliable targets.
DB Malik Hooker
Hooker proved he was able to overcome the injury bug that has plagued his career, reminding people why he was a first-round pick to begin with.
His display to cover deep and keep eyes on the QB to survey the field is enough that the Cowboys rewarded him a two-year extension.
In this game, he'll be face to face with Tom Brady. A QB who surveys the field quick and gets the ball out quicker. Hooker has the skills to react and make plays but will be tested in the middle of the field with TEs and in the slot.
OT Tyler Smith
It should be obvious that a left tackle needs to play well. In this case, the rookie Smith will be tested early and often from a pass rush on the edges featuring Shaquil Barrett. One of the league's best.
Expect plenty of TE help on his side. As Skywalker Steele pointed out, the Dallas Cowboys ran 12-personnel (one RB, two TEs) 35% last season against the Bucc's. Whether he has that consistent help or not is irrelevant.
Jason Peters is waiting in the wing and the franchise QB needs to remain upright. Especially coming from his blindside. There might be no other player with more pressure and more to play for than the first-round draft pick.
LB Leighton Vander Esch
The weak point in this Tampa Bay offense is the interior offensive line. With a multitude of injuries to hit the inside, expect Micah Parsons and even Anthony Barr to heavily blitz the interior A and B gaps to get to Brady. In similar fashion to how the New Orleans Saints were able to sweep the Bucc's because of it.
What that does, however, is leave an open gap in the middle of the field occupied often by Vander Esch. LVE often plays the WILL LB when Parsons rushes up the middle, meaning the majority of that area is his responsibility.
His play was inconsistent in 2022 but good enough that the Dallas Cowboys brought him back for another year. With how Hooker will need to read the QB quickly, LVE himself will be the first line of defense when Brady is getting the ball out quickly.
WR Noah Brown
WR Noah Brown is in the best shape of his life and coming off a fantastic training camp. We've heard this before from many different players. On Sunday, he'll need to prove it's all real. He's listed as a starter across from Lamb and will play a heavy amount of snaps until Michael Gallup returns. Possibly even longer.
Brown getting the start over players like Jalen Tolbert or Simi Fehoko is telling. Of his development and what the coaching staff thinks of him. He's definitely the Dallas Cowboys best blocking WR but we'll need to be more than a reliable target for Dak against Tampa bay.
He'll need to have the game of his life to help the passing game.
DL Osa Odighizuwa
Parsons. Barr. We know those two will be heavy factors into the pass rush. Particularly from the middle. What about up front? Who is going to get to Brady on the first level?
The Cowboys need pass rush from the inside up front, and Odighizuwa is in perfect position to do so. Already the starting 3-technique, Odighizuwa is the Cowboys best pass rushing DT, often last year showing plenty of power and explosiveness to create pressure inside.
Even though Dallas has plenty of edge rushers and LBs who can get to the QB, we've established the best way to get Brady down, or at least rattled, is from the middle. There is no player better equipped on the interior DL to do so than Odighizuwa.
K Brett Maher
Greg Zuerlein lead the NFL with points left on the board with 24, based on missed field goals and extra points. Seven of which came versus the Buccaneers in week one.
Even though he's been a favorite of special teams coach John Fassel, he's now with the NY Jets. The Cowboys response? Call an old friend with a powerful leg.
Maher was an inconsistent kicker during his time in Dallas from 2018-19, frequently missing kicks from inside 50 yards (76.5%). However, he had a bounce-back season in New Orleans in eight games. Completing 87% of his total kicks with only eight points left on the board.
The Dallas Cowboys were 1-3 in games decided by three points or less, one of those being this same Tampa Bay team. If Maher is having a career resurgence, eyes will be on him to make the kicks when they count.
Otherwise, the front office will need to (once again) field calls for field goals.
Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports
