Despite Jerry Jones' lofty goals, the Dallas Cowboys' run defense has been anything but elite. What, trading Micah Parsons didn't help, after all?
Adding defensive linemen Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams hasn't fixed anything. Entering their Week 6 matchup against the Green Bay Packers, the Cowboys have allowed the most rushing yards per game of any team this season.
Good thing they're playing the Packers, then, the league's worst rushing offense by nearly 20 yards per contest.
Head coach Matt LaFleur should not view this as a get-right opportunity for his putrid ground game. He already has the answers to the test: let Jordan Love air it out, as he did in Week 5 for 367 passing yards on 31 attempts. A three-score lead for nearly the entire fourth quarter was the only reason the Packers didn't throw it more.
Don't be tempted, Coach. Do what worked so well a week ago against a Cowboys secondary that, despite some recognizable names, is definitely a gettable group. Don't overthink it. Just throw the rock.
Packers' running back room simply isn't good enough
Against Chicago, Packers running backs combined for 64 rushing yards on 22 carries. On the season, they're averaging 59 yards a game on 3.4 per carry. Even against Dallas, there's no reason to expect anything but a marginal improvement on those numbers. Josh Jacobs is coming off the Commissioner's Exempt List, but he won't be eligible to play until next week.
MarShawn Lloyd did supply a pair of Week 5 highlights with his two rushing touchdowns. Those were impressive runs. Almost enough to make you think maybe he's got his mojo back, until you look up and he has 10 carries for 31 yards.
Lloyd did seem to find a little bit of something in the game, so we'll see. On the season he's averaging under three yards per tote.
Kaleb Johnson didn't fumble last week, so there's that. He also didn't touch the ball until the second half. Does LaFleur still trust him?
Pierre Strong is the other option with Chris Brooks on injured reserve. He broke off a solid first run for five yards but only gained two yards on his next four tries. He was on the practice squad less than two weeks ago. Expectations weren't high, and Week 5 didn't change them.
Jordan Love and his receivers have another prime opportunity
It's not just that the Packers don't have the running back talent in the stable. When Love is connecting on bombs – and who throws a better deep ball? – Green Bay's passing attack is electric. Christian Watson and Matthew Golden look like legitimate 1A and 1B options.
Even with an average run game, it would be silly not to prioritize the pass. If the Packers' still-solidifying offensive line gets beat, Love can make up for it with his playmaking. The running backs can't.
The Cowboys will also be without starting cornerback Cobie Durant, who remains out with a hamstring injury. Joey Porter Jr. is questionable with an ankle issue.
DaRon Bland can only cover one of Watson or Golden, and anyway, the former All-Pro isn't who he was before the injuries. Pro Football Focus grades Bland 92nd out of 104 qualified corners.
Safety Caleb Downs has played quite well, but he's also just a rookie. Advantage Watson if he lines up with Downs in the slot.
And, oh, the Cowboys have also allowed the 12th-most passing yards. They've given up the highest EPA per pass and the highest success rate, per Sumer Sports. It's just a bad defense all around.
Green Bay already has a recipe for success. Strive for a dash of balance, sure, but don't force the run game. Instead, LaFleur should craft a game plan that makes the Dallas defense fight the Packers where they're strongest.
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