Dallas Cowboys DT Johnathan Hankins is ready for the challenge ahead, with the team facing off against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
Although Hankins is an 11-year veteran, this is his second season with the Cowboys after a trade was made last year with the Las Vegas Raiders for a 2023 sixth-round pick. He’s been vital to stuffing the trenches and not allowing a run game to be established when the defense is playing at its best.
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Dallas Cowboys’ Run Defense Improvement
The Cowboys went from a very uncharacteristic Week 3, allowing 222 rushing yards from the Cardinals, to only allowing 53 from the Patriots on Sunday.
The defensive tackle says the difference between the two games was the unit playing together as one. They know their responsibility for Sunday’s game against the 49ers is to play their individual assignments for the scheme to come together.
Cowboys’ Defense vs. Christian McCaffrey
The veteran Hankins discussed a vital component to winning Sunday’s game — contain the run game that Christian McCaffrey can dominate.
“It’s definitely going to be huge. I think that’s how we win this game this week,” said Hankins.
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The 31-year-old says he sees the 49ers’ run game as the best in the league. Not solely because of McCaffrey’s abilities but because of the other team personnel within the unit.
“They got weapons at every position that can catch the ball out of the backfield and get some yards, or if you hand it to them, they can get yards after contact, so all 11 of us gotta do a good job of just getting to the ball getting these guys down,” said Hankins.
He acknowledged that the defense must hone in on the guy in front of them and win their matchups.
Revenge Game Loading
With the 49ers having the Cowboys’ number and ending their season for the last two years, Dallas’ defense is ready to go to battle to slay this dragon.
Hankins reflects on the playoff losses as the 49ers did everything they needed to win the game.
“Two of the best teams in our division, so we gotta turn the page and beat the 49ers. It sucks to continue to lose to these guys back-to-back years, especially when we got the talent that we have. So this week, we’re definitely gonna be more ready and attack these guys,” said the veteran.
Hankins sees this game as a matter of who can take care of the ball best on offense and who can create more turnovers on defense. But he says the Cowboys will be “cooking” in all three game phases, not just on the defensive side of the ball.
Hankins credited the team around him, stating that they are honed in and on the same page, adding, “We already know what we have to do, and I think the guys are ready for this challenge, man. This isn’t a regular-season game. It kind of determines who is going to come out of the division and potentially get to the Super Bowl. That’s how I feel.”