One week into the 2023 regular season and the Dallas Cowboys find themselves on very different sides of the spectrum than their Week 2 opponent. After losing Aaron Rodgers for the season in Week 1, the vibe has changed in New York. Their excitement for the season has turned to determination and the ultra-talented Jets appear hellbent on proving they can win despite their loss at QB.
The Cowboys, on the other hand, are coming off the biggest blowout of the week. They’re riding high atop the power rankings and their biggest threat this week appears to be drinking their own Kool-Aid. Where both teams start resemble each other is in their overall talent on the field. Like Dallas, the Jets are supremely gifted on defense. They possess talent at all levels and have roster depth to back it up.
Led by Robert Salah, New York’s defense is essentially an even better version of the 49ers squad that bounced Dallas from the postseason two years in a row.
Coming from the San Francisco coaching tree, the resemblance is understandable for Salah’s team. He leans on Cover 2/4 often, spreading his linemen wide up front and leaning on his explosive LBs to fill in the gaps seemingly everywhere.
The ability of the Jets defense cannot be overstated and at the moment, appears to be the best Dallas will face this season. As such, it will require a patient gameplan and success in a few key matchups for the Cowboys to come out top.
The absence of Rodgers doesn’t suddenly make this game easy, and the Cowboys’ mental toughness will be put to the test as they welcome the Jets to their home opener in Arlington.