Sunday | 4:25
The Dallas Cowboys are the hottest team in the NFL right now. They’ve won seven of their last eight games, and are fresh off of a dominating win over the previously NFC-leading Philadelphia Eagles. Dallas is now tied for the number one seed in the NFC with San Francisco, so every game is important. Dak Prescott and the Cowboys will head to Buffalo this week to take on the 7-6 Bills. After an underwhelming first half of the season, the Bills have turned things around and are playing good football. Last week they beat the Chiefs in Arrowhead. Every game is must-win if they want a chance at making the playoffs. So, both teams are fresh off of huge wins and have great incentive to keep the momentum going; this should be a fun game!
The Cowboys offense may be the best unit in the league. It’s put up at least 30 points in six of its last seven games (reaching 40 points in four of those). Quarterback Dak Prescott, currently the MVP frontrunner, is first in the NFL in passing touchdowns, second in passer rating, and fourth in passing yards. Superstar wide reciever CeeDee Lamb is third in receiving yards and receptions, and fourth in receiving touchdowns. As a result, the Cowboys rank fourth in net yards per pass attempt.
On defense, the Bills are solid against the pass. They give up the tenth-least net yards per pass attempt. CB Rasul Douglas is having a fantastic year (fourth in PFF grade out of 119 qualified CBs). Unfortunately, CeeDee Lamb usually lines up in the slot (Douglas rarely lines up there). CB Taron Johnson will see the most of him. Johnson is also an above average player, but not as dominating as Douglas. Still, he has a chance to give Lamb some issues.
The Cowboys offense doesn’t have much of a running game. It ranks 18th in yards per carry. RB Tony Pollard has not hit his stride. However, the Bills defense gives up the third-most yards per carry. I’m inclined to believe that the Cowboys rushing attack could find some success. At the very least, it will be competent. This will allow the Cowboys to stay two-dimensional, keeping the passing attack lethal.
Switching sides, the Bills offense always has a high ceiling with Josh Allen under center. Allen is second in passing touchdowns, only three behind Dak Prescott. However, he’s also added ten more on the ground. The Bills are fourth in net yards per pass attempt. WR Stefon Diggs is in a bit of a slump right now, but is still one of the best receivers in the league. Dallas will provide a challenge, though. Its defense gives up the fifth-least net yards per pass attempt. Cornerback Daron Bland ranks second out of 119 qualified cornerbacks in PFF grade, and has recorded an NFL record five pick-sixes this season. Josh Allen, a gunslinger, has thrown the most inteceptions in the NFL this year (14). As crazy as it is to say, there is a good chance Daron Bland records an interception in this game, and decent chance that it’s a pick-six.
In the run game, Buffalo has the edge. Part of this recent offensive success is due to the increased involvement of RB James Cook. However, this will only play a factor if the Bills are able to stay in the game. If they get down multiple scores, Josh Allen will be forced to air it out (even more than he usually does).
As much as I like the Bills right now (I picked them to win last week at Arrowhead), the Cowboys are too hot. I see no reason why Prescott doesn’t continue his insane season. Both the passing and rushing attack will be available and it will prove too much for the Buffalo defense. I think that Allen could keep things interesting for a while, but he’s certain to throw an interception or two. The Cowboys win another one.