Jerry Jones got an early start on this week’s Bold Predictions on Tuesday morning.
Jerry Jones on @1053thefan: Brandon Weeden is "a thing of beauty throwing the football. Frankly, you won't see a more gifted passer."
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) September 22, 2015
Alright then!
Jerry believes in Brandon Weeden, and you know what? So do I.
I’m not saying that Brandon is about to throw for 400 yards against the Falcons on Sunday (no Cowboys quarterback has ever reached that mark against the Falcons FYI), but he’s in a great position to manage the game and lead the Cowboys to victory.
According to almost everyone on earth, I checked, the Cowboys have the greatest offensive line in the NFL. They also have some solid playmakers outside of Dez Bryant (not diminishing #88 at all here) and a collection of running backs that will serve as nice dink-and-dunk options for “the most gifted passer” in the history of the world.
As bold as Jerry got, I can’t let him outdo me. It’s time to get BOLD! If you read my bold predictions from last week’s win over the Eagles, then you know that I got two right. Philly never did stumble their way across the 50-yard line in the first half, and DeMarco Murray didn’t top 50 yards on the ground (or 3 yards on the ground for that matter). Please remember that these are bold predictions. Vamonos! Let’s dance the night away.
1. The Dallas Cowboys Defense Scores A Touchdown
Holy Sean Lee does the defense look good! These guys are absolutely swarming to the ball and whoever is carrying it. They’ve really impressed fans (and made DeMarco Murray sad) through two weeks of 2015.
We saw this unit generate 3 turnovers last week in Philadelphia. I have no doubt that they’ll find a way to force another. These guys are focused and want to do their part to carry the team in Tony Romo’s absence. Look for a tipped ball at some point that a Cowboy defender snatches and takes to the house!
2. Julio Jones Doesn’t Top 50 Yards
I care about the environment so I’m going to recycle here. That’s right, I’m calling for Julio to stay locked down on Sunday! Morris Claiborne has shocked us all this season by not giving up 28 touchdowns in two games. Not to mention that he kept Odell Beckham Jr. in check.
Dallas knows that Julio Jones is the wind beneath the Falcons’ wings. They’re going to devote the majority of attention to him and force someone else to beat them. Leonard Hankerson is going to be the Falcon receiver with the biggest day in the box score. Write that down right now (even though I just typed it).
3. Lance Dunbar Has 175 Total Yards
The backfield of the Dallas Cowboys has been discussed very rarely in all of 2015 (about as rarely as Deflategate). Joseph Randle seems to have emerged as the leading ball carrier, but Lance Dunbar has found a place of significance on this team.
He has been used in a lot of passing situations and was a huge contributor to the critical drive that Tony Romo mounted against the Giants two weeks ago. He’s a shifty back that figures to be used heavily in the passing game, especially with Tony Romo out.
How have the Falcons fared against those type of running backs? In Week 1 the Falcons hosted the Philadelphia Eagles and Darren Sproles… who ran 5 times for 50 yards and caught 7 passes for 76 yards. In Week 2 Atlanta went to New York to play the Giants and Shane Vereen… who ran 6 times for 19 yards and caught 8 passes for 76 yards.
Put Lance Dunbar in your fantasy lineups now. You’re going to want his jersey on Sunday afternoon.
4. Brandon Weeden Rushes For A Touchdown
The wheels of Brandon Weeden are going to be moving fast on Sunday!
Weeden has had a full week to prepare for the starting gig, cool. He’s had a week to work with offensive geniuses Scott Linehan and Tony Romo (that’s right). Romo is going to be coaching Weeden up through this game – wait and see.
Atlanta has also had a week to prepare for Weeden. They’re banking on him checking everything down and are going to force him to beat them… and he’s going to!
I can see it now… 2nd and Goal from the 4-yard line, Weeden takes the snap, he drops back, he makes his read, there is NOBODY in front of him, so he just skips to his lou into the end zone for a score.
5. Brandon Weeden Is Sacked 0 Times
I really liked what I saw from Dan Quinn’s Falcon defense when they played the Eagles. It seemed like he was having a very strong influence on them already and that they’re going to get after the quarterback this season.
I still believe that. Just not against the Cowboys.
Sports are awesome, man. What’s really great about them are the things that you just can’t explain with logic or reason.
The Cowboys are in rally cap mode. They have come together as a team for a common purpose, and that’s a scary thing for opposing teams. These guys are so focused and so dedicated on this season, and getting Romo and Dez back, that they are going to play out of their minds on Sunday.
We’re going to see one of the best games that we ever have from this offensive line. They know how much the team is depending on them, and they’re going to deliver with enough time for Brandon to knit a sweater in the pocket. His jersey is staying clean all day long.
What bold things do you think will happen when the Cowboys play the Falcons? Let me know at rjochoa@insidethestar.com or Tweet @rjochoa.
