Tag: 2023 week 12

3 key matchups the Cowboys must win against Washington on Thanksgiving

If the Cowboys can stop the run, pass patiently and resist the urge to bite on play fakes, they should be victorious against the Commanders. | From @ReidDHanson

The Cowboys may be heavily favored in their Thanksgiving Day showdown against the division rival Commanders, but as any longtime NFL fan can attest, on any given Thursday, anything can happen.

Margins are slim in the NFL and teams will pay for it if they take an opponent for granted. Look no further than Washington last week. The Commanders were heavily favored against Tommy DeVito and the Giants, yet they lost by a double-digit margin in their Week 11 shocker.

Understandably, the 7-3 Cowboys are favored heavily to win at home against 4-7 Washington on Thursday afternoon.

But in order to fulfill the expectations, the Cowboys will need to win in a few key matchups.

Early dominance, third-down defense among Cowboys keys to beating Commanders

Dallas can’t assume Washington is going to rollover. Here’s how they win and avoid stubbing their toes. | From @cdpiglet

The Dallas Cowboys handled their business in Carolina on Sunday. They beat the Carolina Panthers, 33-10, in the first game of their brutal stretch of four games in 19 days. The Washington Commanders are next up and their rivalry is the oldest and most heated in the NFC East division and possibly in all sports.

The Commanders are a legitimate threat. Their record isn’t good, but their team has talent, and considering the rivalry, the talent, the stage, and the short week, they can’t be underestimated. The team was extremely competitive in both Philadelphia Eagles games and took the Seahawks to the last minute in Seattle.

Sam Howell has put up good volume statistics and Terry McLaurin is a true WR1. They have multiple running backs and a serviceable tight end along with one of the best defenses against the run. The Cowboys won’t be able to play a vanilla game plan and run through Washington, so here is how Dallas can ensure they don’t ruin the holiday for their fanbase this Thanksgiving.

With tough NFC East title odds, Cowboys must focus on improved road performance

It’s likely the Cowboys will be on the road this postseason so they need to focus less on NFCE race and more on their home/road splits. | From @ReidDHanson

It was a race from the start. From the moment the ball was kicked off in Week 1, the Cowboys knew they were racing Philadelphia to the finish line. The Eagles won the race in 2022, staying ahead of Dallas in the NFC East every step of the way and eventually claiming that critical homefield advantage in the postseason.

The same script appears to be unfolding again in 2023.

With the win over the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs, the 9-1 Eagles stand far ahead of the 7-3 Cowboys with just seven games left to play. They’re setting a pace contenders like Dallas are having a tough time keeping up with, let alone overtake.

It’s understandable if the Cowboys find themselves scoreboard watching and cheering against their rival each week. It’s the nature of competition to not only beat the opponent in front of them, but also show out better than anyone else. But the Eagles latest win may have been the cherry on their sundae.

This is the time for the Cowboys to focus on themselves. If they want to be good enough to make noise in the postseason, they can’t be focused on anyone else. The race for the NFC is largely out of their control at this point. Philadelphia is the odds-on favorite to win the division and conference. Per Sports Club Stats, they have a 58 percent chance of claiming the top seed. Dallas, only an eight percent chance.

In all likelihood the Cowboys will claim the fifth seed. It’s the best seeding a team who finishes second in their division can get. It pits them against the lowliest division winner in the conference, and barring an upset, guarantees them a life on the road throughout the postseason.

With seven games remaining, anything can still happen. Injuries can shift the balance in an instant and fortunes can change. But the way things stand today, the odds are stacked against Dallas, even if they win the second head-to-head against the Eagles on December 10.

Given Dallas’ well-publicized home/road splits, the Cowboys have to keep their eyes on their own paper. They need to figure out how to be just as good on the road as they are at home because there’s roughly an 81 percent chance that’s what’s happening in the postseason.

They need to win each week to keep pace in case something happens to the frontrunners. But they also need to focus on getting better, more resilient, and just as deadly on the road as they are at home, because chances are that’s the battlefield in which this postseason will be fought.

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Cowboys vs Commanders: 6 things to know about Week 12 Thanksgiving matchup

Six things to know about the Thanksgiving rivalry between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders ahead of their Week 12 game. | From @BenGrimaldi

The Dallas Cowboys have reached that point in the season. The annual Thanksgiving Day game has arrived and this year the NFL gave fans a classic matchup. The Cowboys will be hosting the Washington Commanders in an old-school rivalry game where there’s no love lost.

These two franchises have been battling for 55 years and this will be the first of two meetings, with the last game coming in the final week of the season. The Commanders are coming into the game riding a two-game losing streak, and have lost four of their last five, while the Cowboys are playing their best football.

However, as the old saying goes, one can throw out the records when these two teams get together. The Cowboys and Commanders have had some memorable Turkey Day meetings, and one never knows what to expect.

Here are six things to know about the Week 12 matchup and the history of these two storied franchises on Thanksgiving.

Cornered Market: DaRon Bland gives Cowboys embarrassment of riches to build around

Trevon Diggs led the NFL in interceptions over a two-year span. DaRon Bland now has the same title as the Cowboys have a long-term dynamic duo. | From @ReidDHanson

When the Cowboys lost All-Pro CB Trevon Diggs to a season-ending knee injury after just two games, the defense was noticeably devastated. The unit had the makings of a being an all-time great, and Diggs played an enormous role in such aspirations. Diggs led the NFL in interceptions over the previous two seasons with a total of 14.

But injuries are an unavoidable part of the game and minds were soon put at ease knowing second-year man DaRon Bland was waiting in the wings. Bland, a 2022 fifth-round pick out of Fresno State, started eight games for Dallas as a rookie. As a nickel CB with outside ability, Bland took 185 snaps on the boundary that season and showed he has some special versatility to his game and Dallas went into the offseason giving him more time on the outside to prepare.

The Cowboys felt they had a solid substitute for Diggs when they moved Bland outside in Week 3. Little did they know, they had a budding star on their hands just waiting to seize a wonderful opportunity from a terrible situation.

Eight starts into his sophomore season, DaRon Bland is making his case as the Cowboys’ top corner.

Despite only starting a combined 16 games, Bland leads the NFL in interceptions since joining the NFL. He’s not all feast or famine either. His 11 forced incompletions in single coverage this season ranks him second in the league. And his PFF position grade now ranks him No. 1 overall.

Bland has been targeted 47 times this season and only given up receptions on 22 of them, resulting in a jaw-dropping 46.8 completion percentage against. He has six interceptions for the season and has tied an NFL record with four of them returned for touchdowns. He’s providing consistently tight coverage down after down and still finding ways to routinely make plays on the ball.

He’s not just a slot CB playing outside in a pinch. He’s a bona fide CB1 playing everywhere on the field and is now making the case for NFL defensive player of the year.

Stephon Gilmore, the Cowboys other boundary CB, is a free agent in the offseason. As Dallas moves money and prioritizes their re-signings, there’s a good chance Gilmore will be elsewhere next season. Having Bland on the roster makes that a fairly painless decision.

CBs offer greater value outside than inside so it stands to reason the Cowboys would rather keep Bland on the boundary long-term and find someone new inside, as opposed to the other way around. The best part is, with Bland’s experience as the nickel, he is one of the few top CBs in the NFL who can shadow a WR matchup with little-to-no falloff in performance.

At costs of $1,061,197 and $1,176,197 over the next two seasons, Bland also gives the Cowboys elite play at bargain prices through 2025.

When Bland was first forced into the lineup in Week 3, many were just hoping he’d be a suitable substitute on a defense with championship aspirations. But entering Week 11, it’s clear the Cowboys discovered their next great CB and are positioned to have one of the most feared secondaries for years to come.

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Cowboys News: Prescott’s path to MVP, Jerry Jones trial gets date, JFK link

The Cowboys are hoping to make a Thanksgiving feast out of their division rivals, but much else is happening as they player’s prep. | From @ArmyChiefW3

As the great American tradition of eating turkey and watching “America’s Team” play inches closer, Cowboys players took to the field in preparation for the Washington Commanders. While outsiders may look at this matchup as an easy victory, there is a leader in the locker room who is not looking past this wounded animal.

The team has been able to utilize the safety position to help offset the losses sustained by the Cowboys linebacker corps. Could Dallas double-dip from an Indianapolis defense again?

While the injury report looks long, the outcome appears favorable. A closer look at Dak Prescott’s opening path to some personal hardware, owner Jerry Jones getting a court date and how the assassination of an American president will inextricably be linked to the country’s most popular team.

Waived by Colts, LB Leonard could be perfect solution to Cowboys problem

If Shaq Leonard clears waivers, the Cowboys should consider signing him because he has low-risk/high-reward potential as a run-stopping LB. | From @ReidDHanson

In a move that came as a surprise to many outside the Colts organization, Indianapolis announced they are parting ways with their former All-Pro LB Shaquille Leonard. Leonard will go to waivers allowing NFL teams to claim him under the terms of his current deal. If he goes unclaimed, every team will be free to negotiate with the 28-year-old veteran.

Claiming order is determined by team record, and the Cowboys could very well have interest in the 6-foot-2, 230-pound South Carolina State product. They are desperately thin in their LB ranks and have been creatively deploying safeties to fill many of the traditional LB roles.

Coming off a game where the struggling Panthers were able to move the ball at a clip of 4.8 yards per carry, Dallas could use some assistance in run support. LBs Damone Clark and Markquese Bell have been carrying the burden and a veteran like Leonard could make a significant impact in the rotation behind them.

With that said, Leonard was released for a reason. The standout LB suffered through significant injuries over the last two seasons and has seen a reduction of playing time in 2023 as a result. Often exiting the field on third downs, Leonard had grown dissatisfied with his role in Indianapolis, eventually prompting his release.

What exactly Leonard has left in the tank is a topic for debate. Based on PFF grades he’s at his best playing the run and tackling. His pass-rush scores and coverage scores have taken a significant dip since his injuries. Based on his snaps with the Colts, all of those scores are validated since they often took him off the field in passing scenarios.

Luckily for the Cowboys they don’t necessarily need a coverage LB right now. Between their two starters and their slew of SAF options, they are rich in pass defense. It’s run defense they need. By all appearances, Leonard has that.

Given his injury history it’s unlikely any team will claim him off waivers and take on the terms of his current deal. Leonard would cost an awarded team over $6 million for the rest of the season. The Cowboys are one of several teams who could make that signing without shuffling money around, but it would eat up all of their remaining space. The mix between teams with the space, the need, and postseason aspirations is a limited group.

That bodes well for Dallas since they are low on the list of wavier priority. If the Cowboys want him, they will have to negotiate with him after he presumably clears waivers.

What makes Dallas an attractive place to Leonard is the lack of depth they have at the position group. Aside from the recently elevated Rashaan Evans, the Cowboys have a perfect landing spot for a veteran seeking opportunity. It’s not a full-time role like he once had but it’s a potentially significant role on an otherwise dominant defense with a team that has realistic Super Bowl aspirations.

This has the makings of a low-risk, high-reward signing. Leonard is a smart, high-character player who will be an asset on the field and in the locker room. He’ll help insulate the Cowboys for injuries and add run support skills to a team that appears to need them.

He has to clear waivers first and the money has to be right, but this appears to be a perfect match under the right conditions.

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NFL Week 12 Power Rankings: 49ers, Ravens solidify, MNF to determine No. 1

The best teams in the league all won, setting the stage for Monday Night’s battle for ultimate supremacy.

The power rankings are an organic look at the best teams in the NFL’s regular season. It just so happens that the first have of the 2023 season has seen the reigning conference champions from last year, maintain their perches. And thanks to the scheduling rotation, Week 11 brings about a rematch of January’s Super Bowl, when the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs square off on Monday Night Football.

The two teams will test their mettle against each other, but there’s plenty of competition for supremacy behind them. The rest of the top-eight teams all won this week, but there was some shuffling amongst them. Here’s a look at the Week 12 power rankings.

Sooners running game has an opportunity for another big day vs. BYU

Against a BYU Cougars defense that has been struggling against the run, the Oklahoma Sooners rushing attack has an opportunity for a big day

The Oklahoma Sooners rushing attack has been an up-and-down ride in 2023. At times they’ve looked ready to breakout and sometimes it hasn’t held up its end of the bargain for one of the best offenses in the country.

However, in recent weeks, it’s begun to come together. Over their last three games, the Sooners have averaged 212 yards per game at 5.14 yards per carry.

In the loss to Oklahoma State, the run game was aided by a 64-yard touchdown run by Gavin Sawchuk. They didn’t get the ball to Dillon Gabriel in the quarterback run game. It was good, but like a lot of the offense that day, could have been better.

Last week against West Virginia, Sawchuk carried the load en route to his second 100-yard day of the season. In the win, Sawchuk had three runs of 15 yards or more and four runs that went for a first down. He also averaged 4.08 yards per carry after contact and 6.1 yards per carry for the game.

Sawchuk’s patience and consistency have earned him the first opportunities in the Sooners run game. He’s started each of Oklahoma’s last two games. He’ll have a chance at another big day this Saturday in Provo.

The BYU Cougars have been absolutely gashed on the ground in 2023. Heading into week 12, the Cougars are 117th in the nation in run defense. In losses to West Virginia and Iowa State the last two weeks, BYU has allowed a total of 570 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. The Cyclones and Mountaineers averaged 6.70 yards per carry.

The Cougars defense has been struggling in recent weeks. The Sooners offense was inconsistent against Oklahoma State in large part due to turnovers. Against West Virginia, the offense rebounded in a huge 39-point win.

Oklahoma’s been a different team on the road, but with the rushing attack finding more consistency, the Sooners have a chance to get off on the right foot this week in Provo.

Dillon Gabriel’s been incredible this season and will have a chance at another big game. At the same time keeping the momentum the Sooners have gained on the ground is a huge key to success this week.

With the way they’re running the ball and with as poor as BYU has been stopping the run, it’s hard to imagine the Sooners rushing attack slowing down Saturday.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on Twitter @john9williams.

Kickoff time, broadcast info announced for Oklahoma Sooners at BYU Cougars

In the aftermath of the Sooners beatdown of West Virginia, we now know what time and on what channel Oklahoma will play BYU.

After a dominating win over the West Virginia Mountaineers, the Oklahoma Sooners now know what time they’ll face the BYU Cougars in week 12.

Making their first trip to Provo, the Sooners and Cougars will kick off at 11 a.m. CT on ABC.

The Sooners hope to remove BYU from the small list of schools that the University of Oklahoma has never beaten. The Cougars hold a 2-0 edge in the all-time series.

The last time the two sides met, it was in the nonconference portion of the schedule at AT&T Stadium back in 2009. The Sooners lost 14-13 in a game where Sam Bradford was injured early and the Sooners offense struggled to move the ball without their Heisman winning quarterback.

This season, the two teams are trending in vastly different directions.

Oklahoma is 8-2 and coming off an impressive win over the West Virginia Mountaineers. BYU is 5-4 and getting blown out by Iowa State at home as of this writing.

The Cougars are a tough football team and can’t be taken lightly. However, if recent results are any indication, the Sooners should be able to come out of Provo with a win.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on Twitter @john9williams.