Rams Week 15 preview: Gathering intel from Cowboys Wire

Cowboys Wire editor K.D. Drummond shed some light on the state of the Cowboys ahead of Sunday’s matchup.

The Rams and Cowboys are set to square off for the third time in the last three seasons on Sunday afternoon at AT&T Stadium. It’s a game with huge playoff implications as both teams need a win to stay firmly in the race in the NFC.

To learn more about the state of the Cowboys and their team, we talked to Cowboys Wire editor K.D. Drummond to gather some intel.

Where has Dak Prescott improved most this season?

Prescott’s mechanics were the subject of plenty of microscopes over the last two offseasons. His lower-body work was egregious and he rarely had a consistent base to throw from. That’s been much improved under the tutelage of new QB coach Jon Kitna, who came in and corrected a few issues. The result is a much more powerful cannon from Prescott, as he’s able to generate a lot of torque on his throws from his hips (queue the dance video memes and gifs. In fact, there are some theories that the Dallas receivers lead the league in drops because of how much of a difference there is on his throw velocity and/or spin rate on the ball.

Who’s an underrated defender the Rams have to worry about?

Nobody. This defense is trash, if we’re being honest. OK, it’s not really trash, but you know the usual subjects. DeMarcus Lawrence, low sacks or not, has to be accounted for on every play and Robert Quinn is sharp on the opposite end, leading the team with 9.5 sacks. The linebacking corps has been subpar this season, and it will likely be without both Leighton Vander Esch and Sean Lee. That will open up the door for veteran Joe Thomas and rookie Luke Gifford to get plenty of snaps. If you’re looking for a possible surprise performance, that’s where your attention should be focused. Gifford was impressive in training camp and the preseason before a leg injury, but these will be his first regular-season snaps on defense. With the way Sean McVay exposed Jaylon Smith to the world back in 2017, Dallas should expect to see a lot of a rejuvenated Gurley on pass patterns.

What’s your prediction for this game?

Pain. The Cowboys are reeling, and it’s tough to see them getting back on track against a getting-hot Rams team. Los Angeles comes to Texas and gets a win, 37-24.

Rams’ 3 biggest causes for concern vs. Cowboys on Sunday

The Rams have to be careful not to let Amari Cooper go off.

The Rams enter Week 15 with a better record than the Cowboys, but Los Angeles needs a win more desperately than Dallas does. This isn’t going to be an easy victory by any means, either.

The Rams have to be careful not to overlook a talented Cowboys team that currently sits at 6-7. Here are the three biggest concerns Los Angeles faces on Sunday.

Slowing down Ezekiel Elliott

The Cowboys offense doesn’t go through Elliott as much as it did in years past, but he’s still a focal point. He can beat a defense on the ground or as a receiver, and while he’s not breaking off big runs this year, he does wear opponents down by consistently picking up chunks of yardage.

The Rams have been excellent against the run this season, except for the Ravens game, and the defense will need to be on top of its game Sunday afternoon. Missed tackles on Elliott will prove to be costly and will keep the Cowboys offense on the field longer than the Rams would like.

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Todd Gurley knows Cowboys are in better spot than Rams because of playoff format

Todd Gurley knows the Cowboys have a better shot to make the playoffs despite being 6-7.

The Rams and Cowboys are separated by two games in the NFC standings. Despite Los Angeles being two games ahead, it’s the Cowboys with a much better chance to make the postseason.

According to FiveThirtyEight, the Rams have just a 35% chance of making the playoffs. The Cowboys’ odds sit at 52%, needing to win two of their final three games to clinch a spot in the postseason – or even by beating the Eagles in Week 16 and Philadelphia losing one other game.

The playoff picture has a lot of fans up in arms about a 6-7 Cowboys team not only in line to make the playoffs over a better Rams squad, but they’ll also host a playoff game on wild-card weekend.

Todd Gurley knows Dallas is in a better spot simply because of the playoff formatting.

“Everyone’s better than their record,” Gurley said plainly Thursday. “They’re just not in a good place right now, but (expletive), they’re in a better place than us because they’re going to make the playoffs, so I don’t know why everyone’s concerned about them. As long as they take care of what they need to take care of, they’ll still be playing in January.”

Gurley’s right, and it’s easy to read the frustration on his face. He knows the Rams aren’t in a great spot despite being 8-5, needing help in order to make the playoffs. Los Angeles could win its last three games and still be kept out if the Vikings, Seahawks and 49ers also continue to win.

It may not be fair, but it’s the way the NFL formats its postseason – and the Cowboys are going to benefit from it greatly.

Sean McVay on facing Cowboys offense: ‘They’re a nightmare’

Sean McVay knows how difficult it is to defend the Rams.

Sean McVay has faced the Cowboys twice since he took over as head coach of the Rams, and each time, the game was close and competitive. The Rams beat Dallas 30-22 in the divisional round last year, and in 2017, they won 35-30 at AT&T Stadium.

He knows what a handful Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott and Amari Cooper can be for a defense, and on Sunday, he’ll get another taste of that. There have been some changes on the Cowboys’ offense over the years, but for the most part, it’s the same unit Los Angeles faced in the playoffs.

Despite struggling in recent weeks, the Cowboys are ninth in scoring, first in yards, first in passing and 10th in rushing. In other words, it’s a well-balanced and effective attack.

To McVay, the Cowboys are a “nightmare” and a “real problem” to defend.

“I think Amari Cooper’s having a great year,” McVay said. “You look at just some of the improvements of their receivers as a whole – they’ve got three legitimate receivers. I think Dak’s making great decisions, they’ve always had a great O-line and Zeke’s résumé speaks for himself. Offensively, they’re a nightmare, they’re a real problem to deal with.”

One of the biggest changes the Cowboys made since last time these two teams played was replacing Scott Linehan with Kellen Moore as the team’s offensive coordinator. That’s led to more creativity and better play calling for the Cowboys, which has helped elevate the play of Prescott and Cooper, in particular.

Moore has left McVay impressed so far, and even a bit jealous of the success he’s had in his first season calling plays.

“It’s been impressive. You look at his first year doing it, the success that they’ve had. I wish I had that kind of success that early, it was impressive,” McVay said. “What he’s done, he’s done a good job putting the players in good spots. I think there’s a comfort level. They’ve got an identity, I think that’s as important as anything. The plays are one thing, but when you put your players in position to make plays, that’s the most important. It seems like he’s had a great feel for the game. I’ve been really impressed with him.”

The Rams are facing a lot of pressure this week, needing a win to keep pace in the NFC playoff hunt. A loss and a win by the Vikings over the Chargers would all but end any chance of the Rams making the postseason, facing a two-game deficit with only two to play.

McVay doesn’t see it as pressure, but he and the Rams know the urgency level has been taken up a notch.

“I think every single week, we don’t necessarily look at it as pressure, but it’s an opportunity for us,” McVay said. “It’s a great opportunity to go to Dallas, it’s going to be a great environment, great atmosphere. It’s a very good football team – they’ve got great coaches, great players. We know what the challenge is and we’ve got to have a great week of preparation to see if we can build on a little bit of the momentum that we do have. But, knowing that it’s one game at a time and what we did in the previous weeks won’t help us. We’ve got to be ready to show up when kickoff comes on Sunday.”

With their last three games being decided by eight points or fewer, this matchup is likely to come down to the wire, too.

Rams at Cowboys: 5 biggest matchups to watch in Week 15

The Rams and Cowboys will square off on Sunday afternoon with several marquee matchups all over the field.

The Los Angeles Rams are back on the road for their next two games after beating the Seahawks at home in Week 14. First, they’ll head to Dallas where they’ll take on the 6-7 Cowboys, who have lost their way in recent weeks.

As poorly as the Cowboys are playing, though, they’re still a team with an abundance of talent – just like the Rams. There are star-studded matchups all over the field, and many of them will determine which team comes out on top Sunday afternoon.

The Rams have the edge in a lot of areas, but Dallas has a trio of offensive playmakers that rivals any in the league. Here are five key matchups to watch at AT&T Stadium in Week 15.

Rams OTs vs. Cowboys DEs

This is the matchup that could dictate how Los Angeles’ offense operates. There aren’t many pass-rush tandems in the league better than Robert Quinn and DeMarcus Lawrence. They both rank in the top six among all defenders in pass-rush win rate this season, which shows just how well each one is playing.

Andrew Whitworth will be the one blocking Quinn, while it’s not exactly clear who will be assigned to Lawrence. Rob Havenstein may return from injury, but the Rams won’t say whether he’ll replace Bobby Evans as the starter. Either way, Evans or Havenstein will have their hands full on the edge.

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NFC Playoff picture heading into Week 15

The Niners are at the top of the NFC playoff race, but it’s tight when it comes to which teams will take the top seeds.

We didn’t really learn much about the NFC in Week 13 that we already didn’t know. The NFC East isn’t very good. The Saints are the only team in the NFC South that is better than mediocre. The NFC North’s two-team race is still the same — although the Bears could make a theoretical run if they win their next game. The NFC West’s two top teams may be the best in the NFC. Both are making it to the postseason tournament.

NFC East

Philadelphia Eagles 6-7

It took 13 weeks but the Eagles are finally atop the NFC East. There is literally one game that matters more than any other on their schedule and that’s against the Cowboys. They need to win the other games, but the Cowboys game will be for the NFC East.

Remaining Games: @Redskins, Cowboys, @Giants

Dallas Cowboys 6-7

This is what happens when Jason Garrett is your coach. Now the Cowboys have to face off against the scorching hot Rams and then go to Philadelphia to beat the Eagles. That’s not going to be easy even if the Eagles are as banged up as they are right now.

Remaining Games: Rams, @Eagles, Redskins

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Rams at Cowboys: 5 key things to know for pivotal Week 15 matchup

Under Sean McVay, the Rams have never lost to a team on a three-game losing streak.

The Rams and Cowboys will meet for the third time in the last three years on Sunday, and for the second time since January. Los Angeles has won the last two meetings between these teams, including a divisional round matchup at the Coliseum.

This isn’t a playoff game like the last one was, but it does have huge postseason implications for both teams. A loss by the Rams could put them two games back of the Vikings with two games to play, while a Cowboys loss will put further emphasis on Week 16’s showdown with the Eagles.

Here are five things to know about this matchup entering Sunday.

McVay’s Rams have never lost to team on 3-game losing streak

The Rams don’t often lose to bad teams under Sean McVay. Yes, they should have beaten the Buccaneers in Week 4 and probably the Steelers in Week 10, but losses to teams on losing skids never happens on McVay’s watch.

According to Gil Brandt, the Rams are 5-0 under McVay against teams currently on a three-game losing streak. They’ve won those games by an average of 20 points per game, and it just so happens the Cowboys have lost three in a row.

In the Sean McVay era (since 2017), the Rams are 5-0 against teams that entered their matchup on a losing streak of 3+ games, and have won those 5 games by an average margin of 20 points. Not great news for Cowboys.

— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) December 11, 2019

This sets up very nicely for the Rams in Week 15.

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NFC Playoff picture heading into Week 14

(Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys 6-6

There’s a legit chance the Cowboys don’t make the playoffs and there’s only one thing to blame here. They’ve been coached out of games they should have won. Now they face a tough game in Chicago against a pretty good Bears defense and then have to face a Rams team that is making a last-ditch effort for the wild card. Win those two games and they travel to Philadelphia for what could be an NFC East championship game. Good luck, Jason Garrett.

Remaining Games: @Bears, Rams, @Eagles, Redskins

Philadelphia Eagles 5-7

I am going to have to speak this into reality because there is absolutely no reason a playoff team should lose to the Miami Dolphins. Yet, here we are. The Eagles have a cake schedule the rest of the way and only need to beat the Cowboys at home to make the playoffs. Unfortunately, they don’t have Nick Foles around for this run — and their eventual playoff games.

Remaining Games: Giants, @Redskins, Cowboys, @Giants

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Dallas Cowboys at Chicago Bears odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Thursday’s Dallas Cowboys at Chicago Bears Week 14 sports betting odds and lines, with Thursday Night Football betting picks.

The Dallas Cowboys (6-6) and Chicago Bears (6-6) meet Thursday at Soldier Field for a prime-time matchup at 8:20 p.m. ET. We analyze the Cowboys-Bears betting odds and lines with betting picks and tips for the matchup.

The teams may have the same record, but their postseason chances are vastly different. The Cowboys are trying to win the NFC East, while the Bears are hoping to win out and have a shot at a wild-card berth.

Cowboys at Bears: Week 14 preview, betting trends and notes

Get some action on the games by betting at BetMGM. New customer offer: RISK-FREE First Bet (up to $500!) paid in free bets.

The Cowboys are just 4-9 against the spread in their last 13 Thursday games. Most recently, they lost to the Buffalo Bills on Thanksgiving, failing to cover as 6.5-point favorites.

Chicago hasn’t been much better, going 2-8 ATS in its last 10 Thursday games. They’re 1-5 ATS in their last six games against NFC opponents.
Dallas is 1-5 ATS in its last six games against the NFC North, losing to the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings this season, but beating the Detroit Lions.
The Bears are 1-7 ATS in their last eight games, going 3-5 straight up.
The total has gone Under in five of the Bears’ last six games but it hit the Over in each of the last six head-to-head meetings.
The Over is 10-5 in the Cowboys’ last 15 games.

Cowboys at Bears: Key injuries

Cowboys LB Leighton Vander Esch (neck) and S Jeff Heath (shoulder) are questionable.

Bears WR Taylor Gabriel (concussion) is also uncertain to play. OT Bobby Massie (ankle) and LB Danny Trevathan (elbow) are questionable.

Cowboys at Bears: Odds, betting lines and prediction

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated on Tuesday at 11 a.m. ET

Prediction

Cowboys 27, Bears 20

Moneyline (?)

This is a great opportunity to bet the moneyline. The COWBOYS are favored at -150, which is a reasonable value. Despite struggling in recent weeks, the Cowboys will score enough to put the game out of reach for Chicago’s underwhelming offense.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Cowboys to win outright would return a profit of $6.67.

Against the Spread (?)

The Cowboys are favored by 2.5 points on the road. They’re 4-2 ATS in their last six games and this is a game they should be able to win by at least a field goal.

Bet the COWBOYS (-121) to cover the spread.

Over/Under (?)

The Cowboys are facing a good Bears defense this week, testing their eighth-ranked scoring offense and No. 1-ranked passing attack. The Over/Under is only 43.5 points, though, and Chicago’s offense is 27th in scoring.

This game will surpass 43.5 combined points, so bet the OVER (+100).

Want action on this game? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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By The Numbers: Stats to know from Bills win over Cowboys

Six important stats to know from the Bills’ Week 13 win over the Dallas Cowboys.

Well, well, well…

Don’t look now, but all of the sudden, the Buffalo Bills are national darlings.

It seemed like just yesterday, the upstart Bills were content to fly under the radar, picking up victories against what some in the media might call cupcake opponents. Buffalo entered its Thanksgiving Day game at Dallas as an overlooked 8-3 team which was presumably en route to a crash-landing back to earth at the hands of the Cowboys.

Except, by now, you know that didn’t happen. Instead, the Bills thumped the Cowboys 26-15, and had their Week 15 match up at Pittsburgh flexed to prime time.

Not a bad way to spend a holiday weekend.

Here’s a look at a few key figures that helped propel Buffalo to its ninth win of the season in Week 13:

79.1 percent

Bills quarterback Josh Allen turned in a gem in his first outing as Buffalo’s quarterback in front of a nationwide audience.

Allen threw for 231 yards and a touchdown on 19-of-24 passing for a career-high 79.1 percent completion rate. He ran for 43 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries, putting his full game on display for the world to see.

Not only was Allen efficient, he played an extremely clean game. Allen, and the Buffalo offense, didn’t turn the ball over; he converted a fumbled snap into a first down run on a fourth in the second quarter.

110

As good as Allen was, Thursday’s victory could easily go down as The Cole Beasley Revenge Game.

In his return to Dallas, playing against his former team for the first time, the wideout hauled in six receptions for a season-high 110 yards and a touchdown. It marked the second consecutive game in which Beasley caught at least six passes and a touchdown. He had six receptions for 76 yards and a score in the Week 12 win over Denver.

Beasley has 55 receptions for 635 yards and five touchdowns on the season, and is on track to catch 73 balls for 846 yards and seven touchdowns; the yards and touchdowns would be career highs for eighth-year veteran out of SMU.

28

John Brown became the first Bills receiver in franchise history to throw a touchdown pass, when his 28-yard pass on a trick play in the second quarter found a wide-open Devin Singletary for a go-ahead score.

Brown is the first non-quarterback to throw a touchdown for Buffalo since Fred Jackson threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Lee Evans in a Week 10 loss to Tennessee in 2009.

Brown finished with four receptions for a season-low 26 yards, but his play as a passer is what he will be remembered for in the victory over the Cowboys.

Two

Rookie defensive lineman Ed Oliver recorded his first multi-sack game of his career, bringing down Dak Prescott twice in Thursday’s win. It also marked Oliver’s third straight game with a sack, after recording just one through Buffalo’s first nine games.

After struggling to see the field midway though the season, Oliver is surging down the stretch. He’s notched 28 tackles, four tackles for loss, seven quarterback hits and a forced fumble through 12 career games.

12

Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliot to 71 yards on just 12 carries, which tied his fewest carries this season with a Week 5 loss to Green Bay. Elliott did have a season-high seven receptions for 66 yards in the loss.

+6.5

The Bills welcome in the AFC’s top-seeded Ravens to New Era Field in Week 14, a game in which Buffalo opened as 6.5-point underdog.
Baltimore (10-2) is 6-51 against the spread, but 4-1 in its last five. Buffalo (9-3) is 8-3-1 against the number, but 4-0-1 in its last five.

The over/ under is set for 43.5 The over is 3-2 in Baltimore’s last five games, while the over is 1-4 in Buffalo’s previous five.

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