The Dallas Cowboys hit the road again on Sunday to take on the Miami Dolphins.
With the Cowboys coming off of a humbling loss to the Bills, they are going into this Christmas Eve matchup with much to prove to themselves.
All of the team’s losses have come during road games this season, and it will be “all gas, no breaks” with the Dolphins in this matchup.
What key aspects and players in this contest could be game-changers for both teams?
Dallas Cowboys vs. Miami Dolphins Game Preview
The Cowboys are going into this game without Tyron Smith at left tackle and possibly Zack Martin at right guard.
Chuma Edoga will step in at left tackle in Smith’s absence, and T.J. Bass will step in if Martin isn’t available.
The starting offensive line has only had seven games together this season.
Tyron Smith (back), who was listed as doubtful yesterday has been downgraded to out. Both Smith and Johnathan Hankins (ankle) will not travel with the team to Miami.
Chuma Edoga will step back in at LT. I talked to him this week and he said he felt good and was ready to play if…
— Jess Nevarez (@JessNevarez_) December 23, 2023
This will be problematic, especially because the Cowboys’ offense seems to struggle on the road with their cadence.
Dak Prescott has played lights out since the team’s loss to the 49ers in Week 5. But the offensive line must keep the pressure off of him.
Prescott has been sacked 10 times since Week 12, so keeping pressure off of him will be vital.
The Cowboys’ offense had also done a solid job establishing the run in games since Week 5. But with no aspect of the offense being able to get going against the Bills last week, the team’s response will speak volumes.
The Cowboys can establish the run with Tony Pollard and Rico Dowdle in this game, but the most significant aspect of the run to watch is its consistency.
This will be a game of speed as CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks will give the Dolphins’ defensive backs favorable matchups up the middle.
As for the Cowboys’ defense, they will be tested against the fastest receiver corps they have faced this season.
In this game, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle will put DaRon Bland and Stephon Gilmore to the test.
Dan Quinn said the team’s focus after the loss to the Bills would be tackling and eliminating explosive plays.
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Quinn attributed the team’s run defense being poor against the Bills to the lack of tackling, as the Cowboys had 12 in that game.
Johnathan Hankins will be out again, so Mazi Smith must use the lessons learned last week to improve this week.
The Dolphins have weak spots in their offensive line because of injury, so the pass rush can have a big game, putting pressure on Tua Tagovailoa.
Self-inflicted wounds will also be another focal point, as costly and untimely penalties have been an issue for the team this season.
If the Cowboys can eliminate the big penalties in this game, it will give the Dolphins less chance to extend drives.
The Cowboys lead the league in penalties going into this game with a total of 102 this season.
Cowboys-Dolphins Stats From Inside Edge
- Tony Pollard (DAL) has averaged 18.4 touches per game this season — tied for the fifth highest of qualified running backs.
- The Dolphins have allowed an average of just 23.4 touches per game (328/14) to RBs this season — tied for the fifth lowest in the NFL.
Analysis: Regaining confidence in the run game will be vital this week, not just because it’s a favorable matchup but because it will need to be established for the postseason.
Earlier this week, Pollard discussed how he worked through struggles post-leg fracture at the start of the season, and there were more than he had initially anticipated.
Pollard fractured his leg in January and returned to a full workload at training camp in July.
“I would say it’s a night and day difference. You think you’re good. You think you’re all the way back until you’re actually out there making plays, full speed, feeling it. Once you get a feel for it and get your feet under you, then you start to realize, ‘Oh, so I may have lost a little right there.’ But I’m picking it back up,” said Pollard.
The running back also said he started to be more in his grove after the team’s bye week.
- Dak Prescott (DAL) has averaged just 4.0 pass attempts per touchdown in the red zone this season — tied for ninth best of qualified QBs.
- The Dolphins have allowed passing TDs once every just 3.0 pass attempts in the red zone this season — tied for the second worst in the NFL.
Analysis: The red-zone issues the Cowboys’ offense faced earlier this season have been resolved. However, it will be interesting to see how Mike McCarthy operates in the red zone and if Pollard and Dowdle get more opportunities in the passing game.
- The Dolphins have a third-down conversion rate of 49.1% since Week 12 — fourth best in the NFL.
- The Cowboys’ defense has allowed a third-down conversion rate of 53.2% since Week 12 — fourth worst in the NFL.
Analysis: The game within the game will be keeping the Dolphins in third-and-long situations. A large part of the Cowboys’ lack of third-down efficiency and consistency is because of the struggling run defense.
If Tagovailoa passes on third down, this could be a game of opportunity for pass deflections.
- Dolphins TEs have 28 receptions in 13 games (just 2.2 per game) this season — the worst in the NFL.
- The Cowboys have allowed just 3.6 receptions per game to TEs this season — tied for the second best in the NFL.
Analysis: The Cowboys’ defense has been successful against tight ends because they have mastered tackling. Although that wasn’t the case against the Bills, the unit shouldn’t have this issue again this week.
Quinn said the team would return to practicing fundamentals to combat their issues with missed tackles last week.
MORE: Dallas Cowboys Depth Chart
- Cowboys WRs have averaged just 2.5 yards after the catch since Week 12 — second worst in the NFL.
- The Dolphins have allowed just 2.4 yards after catch per reception to WRs since Week 12 — the best in the NFL.
Analysis: Yards after catch will be vital in this game, especially because both teams are two of the best at scoring. The Cowboys’ best weapon for getting yards after the catch comes in Jake Ferguson, not necessarily the wide receivers.
Ferguson is physical, fast, and can handle defenders if needed. He will be a vital part of keeping drives alive for the Cowboys in this game, especially because they will need to get an early start and score touchdowns.
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