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Packers' No. 1 run D faces toughest test yet in Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott
1:13 PM CT
Rob Demovsky
ESPN Staff Writer
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- This is strength against the strength. The NFL’s top-ranked run defense against the league’s No. 1 rushing offense.
We’ll find out if the Packers’ run-stopping unit is for real when the Dallas Cowboys come to Lambeau Field on Sunday. Dom Capers’ run defense has allowed an average of just 42.8 yards per game, while the Ezekiel Elliott-led Cowboys offense has averaged 155.2 yards on the ground.
Here are seven Dallas players to watch on Sunday, courtesy of ESPN Cowboys reporter Todd Archer:
Offense
QB Dak Prescott: The quarterback has gone a rookie record 155 passes without an interception and is closing in on Tom Brady’s record of 162 passes to open a career without a pick. The Cowboys don’t press the ball down the field, but they are not being conservative with the rookie. He is just playing smart and knows how to avoid mistakes.
RB Ezekiel Elliott: He has put up three straight games with at least 130 yards rushing. A week ago, the Cincinnati Bengals entered the game without giving up a 100-yard rusher or a rushing touchdown and Elliott had 134 yards and two scores. He finally showed his breakaway speed with a 60-yard touchdown. It took him two games to figure out the patience needed to run this scheme.
WR Cole Beasley: He leads the Cowboys in catches with 27 for 332 yards and a touchdown. With Dez Bryant missing the past two games with a tibial plateau fracture in his right leg, defenses have paid more attention to Beasley but he continues to get open. His quickness is his best attribute and Prescott likes to find him because he can win so quickly on his routes.
Defense
DE DeMarcus Lawrence: He made his season debut last week against Cincinnati after missing the first four games of the season for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. He didn’t have a sack, but he was able to generate pressure and the Cowboys had a season-high four sacks as a team. He relies more on power than turning the corner but he has two sacks in two games against the Packers.
CBs Morris Claiborne, Brandon Carr: The Cowboys have not given up a 100-yard receiver this year and they have played some of the better ones around in Odell Beckham Jr., Alshon Jeffery and A.J. Green. Carr and Claiborne have held their own. Two years ago in the playoff game, Carr limited Jordy Nelson to two catches. Claiborne is playing the best football of his career after four years of not living up to expectations as the No. 6 overall pick of the 2012 draft.
FS Byron Jones: Last year’s No. 1 pick has made the move from cornerback to free safety. He is still looking for the first interception of his career, but he gives the Cowboys a centerfield-type safety they have not had in years. He broke up a deep ball to Green last week in which he showed tremendous range. If the Packers look to go deep, then the Cowboys will need Jones to show that range more.
1:13 PM CT
Rob Demovsky
ESPN Staff Writer
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- This is strength against the strength. The NFL’s top-ranked run defense against the league’s No. 1 rushing offense.
We’ll find out if the Packers’ run-stopping unit is for real when the Dallas Cowboys come to Lambeau Field on Sunday. Dom Capers’ run defense has allowed an average of just 42.8 yards per game, while the Ezekiel Elliott-led Cowboys offense has averaged 155.2 yards on the ground.
Here are seven Dallas players to watch on Sunday, courtesy of ESPN Cowboys reporter Todd Archer:
Offense
QB Dak Prescott: The quarterback has gone a rookie record 155 passes without an interception and is closing in on Tom Brady’s record of 162 passes to open a career without a pick. The Cowboys don’t press the ball down the field, but they are not being conservative with the rookie. He is just playing smart and knows how to avoid mistakes.
RB Ezekiel Elliott: He has put up three straight games with at least 130 yards rushing. A week ago, the Cincinnati Bengals entered the game without giving up a 100-yard rusher or a rushing touchdown and Elliott had 134 yards and two scores. He finally showed his breakaway speed with a 60-yard touchdown. It took him two games to figure out the patience needed to run this scheme.
WR Cole Beasley: He leads the Cowboys in catches with 27 for 332 yards and a touchdown. With Dez Bryant missing the past two games with a tibial plateau fracture in his right leg, defenses have paid more attention to Beasley but he continues to get open. His quickness is his best attribute and Prescott likes to find him because he can win so quickly on his routes.
Defense
DE DeMarcus Lawrence: He made his season debut last week against Cincinnati after missing the first four games of the season for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. He didn’t have a sack, but he was able to generate pressure and the Cowboys had a season-high four sacks as a team. He relies more on power than turning the corner but he has two sacks in two games against the Packers.
CBs Morris Claiborne, Brandon Carr: The Cowboys have not given up a 100-yard receiver this year and they have played some of the better ones around in Odell Beckham Jr., Alshon Jeffery and A.J. Green. Carr and Claiborne have held their own. Two years ago in the playoff game, Carr limited Jordy Nelson to two catches. Claiborne is playing the best football of his career after four years of not living up to expectations as the No. 6 overall pick of the 2012 draft.
FS Byron Jones: Last year’s No. 1 pick has made the move from cornerback to free safety. He is still looking for the first interception of his career, but he gives the Cowboys a centerfield-type safety they have not had in years. He broke up a deep ball to Green last week in which he showed tremendous range. If the Packers look to go deep, then the Cowboys will need Jones to show that range more.