Without Ezekiel Elliott for the next six games, the ultimate unknown for the Dallas Cowboys is how they will adjust during his absence. It doesn’t really matter if you personally believe they should go to more four receiver sets or if they will be fine with their current stable of running backs. There is one thing they absolutely can’t do against the Kansas City Chiefs, abandon their run first mentality.
There is no denying that going from Ezekiel Elliott to Alfred Morris or Darren McFadden for that matter is a huge step down. But, I discovered something this week when studying the Kansas City Chiefs and I think it could actually benefit the Dallas Cowboys Sunday afternoon.
The Kansas City Chiefs have been pretty impressive this season, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Alex Smith could very well be the NFL MVP, Kareem Hunt is leading league in rushing, Travis Kelce is one of the best tight ends in the game, and Tyreek Hill is arguably the most explosive player with the ball in his hands. But, the Chiefs are susceptible on the defensive side of the ball.
Shocked? So was I.
From the outside looking in, I thought the Kansas City Chiefs had a pretty good defense. But, looks can be deceiving. They’re are currently ranked 30th in total defense, but I think it’s the rushing defense the Dallas Cowboys can take advantage of the most.
The Kansas City Chiefs are currently ranked 29th in the league giving up 4.9 yards per carry to opposing running backs. That should have the Cowboys coaching staff licking their chops for this matchup, even without Elliott in the lineup.
Everybody knows the Dallas Cowboys pride themselves in the offensive line they have put together. They are arguably the best in the NFL at what they do, and what they do best is block in the running game. That is why I think the Cowboys would be foolish to abandon their run first mentality.
You see, the Chiefs defensive lineman have a problem maintaining their gap discipline and as a result get washed out of plays. That leaves their linebackers to pick up the slack, but fortunately for the Cowboys Derrick Johnson and Reggie Ragland have been struggling this season.
The Dallas Cowboys absolutely have to take advantage of the Chiefs defense, especially in the running game. Whether it’s Alfred Morris, Darren McFadden, or Rod Smith. They have to continue to control the game clock in the running game and keep the Alex Smith led Chiefs offense off the field.
If the Cowboys can find success in the running game, I don’t see any reason why they can’t come away with a victory in front of their home crowd. But, if they abandon their run first mentality, it plays right into the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs. That simply can’t be allowed.
Of course late word is that Elliott will play Sunday, but what changes if any for Morris against this defense, applies the same way if Elliott were to be knocked out of the game with injury.
Certainly against a porous run D who is visiting, it can easily be a 40-carry game regardless of who is the workhorse. But if Morris gets starts this year, I think 1st down carries will be a bit easier for him than Elliott, because defenses will spend the 8th defender on him less often.
For Elliott starts, I think a rule of 1st down pass, 1st quarter will go a long way. Defenses have to play run first with him, and that should set up some easy hits that get the offense off to a fast start. Now defenses have to back off Elliott.
And it should be done with an eye toward a fast start for Dez also. That can pay double dividends.
I think the Chiefs are going to stack the box to try to stop the run regardless of who starts at RB. They know teams are able to run on them at will and the Cowboys are a run first team. We will have to wait and see though.
Cha-ching for Dak & receivers in that case. I presume Garrett learned his lesson in Denver, about not just running into the teeth of that to start the game.
I’m sure he did. And luckily, Kansas City’s defense is nowhere near as good as Denver’s. The Cowboys should be able to move the ball relatively easy, but hopefully they can get into the end zone instead of settling for FGs like they had to do last week.
I haven’t seen the numbers on run vs. pass, but it seemed maybe 60/40 % pass to run today. Dak had some good runs to complement Zeke and Albert had a nice 10 yard scamper. What I loved the most about this game were the much maligned players, who are continually being criticized and all had good individual games. T-Williams performance should quiet the critics. Beasley pulled the sauce out after his 2nd TD. Hopefully, he saved a little sauce for Taco’s first QB sack. The haters gonna hate, but Heath closed out the game with his interception. Well done, guys. Great Win. – Go Cowboys !!
I don’t think the critics will quiet on T-Will anytime soon. This is exactly what he does. He’ll show up one game and absolutely disappear another. But, it was good to see both him and Beasley finally involved in the passing game. It also was good to see both Taco Charlton and Jeff Heath make plays defensively. They are arguably two of the most talked about (not in a good way) players on the Cowboys roster right now.