The Dallas Cowboys are focused on not letting go of the second place in the NFC East, all while they wait for a couple of potential Philadelphia slip-ups. Indianapolis on the other hand is just sitting, waiting, and wishing for the “Jeff Saturday experiment” to pay some dividends.
As both teams get ready to headline this week’s Sunday Night Football for the super bowl bet game in Texas, what can the Colts bring to the table to try and stop a Cowboys team ready to barrel right through them? Will Dallas have an easy Sunday outing to continue on its path to a playoff spot?
Let’s check the latest NFL picks, stats, injury reports, and NFL predictions. We’ve plenty of NFL expert picks for you to consider.
Dallas Should Overpower Indy’s Defense
If we had to pinpoint a positive out of Indianapolis, it would be the defense. From the Colts’ front seven to their secondary, that unit is the main reason the Colts haven’t given the Texans and Broncos a run for having the worst record in the league.
So what should the Cowboys do to counteract said defense? Come out with an aggressive offensive strategy to blow the Colts out of the water.
This game seems perfect for Tony Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott to show why they have turned into an RB duo that no defense is looking forward to facing.
By having Elliott take care of the heavy rushing, thus leaving Pollard to do his own on other plays, the Cowboys could be looking at the key to break through Indy’s strong frontal defense.
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Once Dallas’ O-line can properly measure and contain Indy’s defenders, it will be safe routes for the Cowboys.
Where Dallas will have to be extra careful though is in the passing game. Sure, CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup, and Noah Brown are as good of a WR trio as any in the NFC, but have you seen how good the Colts’ secondary is?
It’s a given that Lamb will be covered most of the game by Stephon Gilmore, so what does that leave the Cowboys? Having Dak Prescott focus on using Gallup as his best weapon.
Gallup’s production numbers have been consistently growing, which should work as a perfect push for Dallas’ passing game to go through him, leaving Lamb and Brown more open to bigger plays.
For the Cowboys, on defense, this game will be all about stopping Jonathan Taylor. Why? Because Indy’s passing game is not a threat whatsoever to Dallas’ secondary honestly. With Colts QB Matt Ryan not known for being a mobile passer, getting to him shouldn’t be much of an issue.
Instead, neutralizing Taylor’s rushing will be essential for Dallas’ defense. Once the Cowboys manage to keep Taylor under siege, there will be little for Ryan and the rest of Indianapolis’ offense to do here.
It’s Either Defensive Perfection or Bust for Indianapolis
Where would the Colts be this season if their offense showed up and played some decent football? While we could ponder on that for a while, how about we just call facts for what they are and accept that Indianapolis lives and dies for whatever its defense can do?
While the Indy offensive line should be an impenetrable unit, the Colts continue to struggle, having the fourth-worst line against QB pressures and the worst unit when it comes to allowing sacks. Between that and Ryan’s inconsistency, it’s hard to see how this offense could survive playing against such a strong front-seven defense like Dallas’.
On offense, the Colts will once again have to rely on Taylor. As long as Indy’s O-line can create gaps between the Cowboys’ defense for Taylor to run through, there could be a chance for the Colts to put some points on the board.
It’s on the defensive side of the ball where the Colts will have to bring not only their “A” game but their “A+” game to try and beat Dallas. Indy’s secondary will have to become a nightmare for Dallas’ receiver core.
Up front, reaching Prescott will be essential, all while trying to keep Elliott and Pollard grounded as much as possible.
Yes, it sounds like a heavily loaded mission for Indy’s defense, but given that they’ve been carrying the team the whole season, what’s one more game?
Will the Cowboys Ride to Another Win?
Yes, and with ease. On paper, on the field, wherever you want to see it from, Dallas is a much better team than Indianapolis this season.
While strong defenses are always the backbone to success in football, the lack of firepower that Indy’s offense possesses will once again come back to haunt it on Sunday Night Football.
We’ve got plenty of super bowl bet for you to consider before selecting your odds to win the super bowl.
The odds and predictions in the article are based on the time of writing and publication. They may differ as to when the actual event takes place.
