Even though the Buffalo Bills passed for under 100 yards, their 266 yards on the ground was enough to easily beat the Cowboys by over 20 points last week. It was a simplistic, but extremely effective way to dismantle an opponent, and highlighted an Achilles heel Dallas had been hiding most of the year.
The timing of it couldn’t be worse. Week 16 features a trip to Miami to take on the Dolphins. Led by Raheem Mostert, Miami boasts the NFL’s fourth-rated rushing attack. As if he wasn’t enough, they recently welcomed back De’Von Achane, one of the league’s most explosive young rushers.
At over +3 RYOE, De’Von Achane leads the NFL. His 8.5 yards/attempt is nearly unfathomable. And his running mate ain’t too shabby either. Both have higher RYOE than anyone in Dallas and will surely be a handful for the Cowboys porous run-D in Week 16 #DALvsMIA pic.twitter.com/0xXrHvMtch
— Reid D Hanson (@ReidDHanson) December 20, 2023
The situation at hand isn’t lost on the Cowboys. Dan Quinn broached the topic this week and vaguely outlined his plan of action.
“I think there’s a relentless nature in the way they can attack an edge,” Quinn said of Miami’s two rushers. “When you’re going up against a team with good speed, you really have to try to build a wall on the outside.”
In Buffalo, the Cowboys repeatedly lost contain and allowed rushers to run freely around the corner. Undisciplined play on the edge is something Quinn hopes to eliminate in Week 16. Of course, that’s easier said than done since Miami prides themselves on their speed, motion and ability to stretch a defense.
“There’s all sorts of weapons they have, but with the speed you can use at running back from out of the backfield, in motion, use them in the backfield in empty sets and bring it back quickly on jets – that’s the type of speed you better be ready for laterally.”
The Cowboys are known for their ability to bounce back after a loss. They haven’t lost back-to-back in 37 games. Part of that falls on the players’ ability to muster up and rally, and part of that is on the coaching staff who successfully assess and adapt.
But Miami isn’t just any old generic team after a loss. They are 10-4, owners of the second-best record in the AFC and on pace to claim the second seed in the postseason. The Dolphins are a really good football team and get the added advantage of playing at home.
If WR Tyreek Hill can play, they also have arguably the best pass-catching duo in the NFL. Hill appears to be the fastest man in the league and Jaylen Waddle is one of the best young pass catchers in the game. Quinn can’t sneak his defense up to stop the run because these Miami WRs can get over the top in an instant.
It’s a big test for Quinn and his defense and will take discipline and fortitude to see it through. It all starts with a wall.
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