ByRainer Sabin / Reporter
rsabin@dallasnews.com | Bio
NEWARK, N.J. -- The Cowboys face the New York Jets in their season opener. Here is a look at the keys to victory for Dallas:
Stop the run: There is no pretense in the Jets' offensive gameplan. They carry out a steady diet of running plays. It's up to the Cowboys to stop them by controlling the line of scrimmage and plugging the gaps the Jets will try to open.
Don't be overwhelmed: It's the season opener. It's on Sept. 11. It's in New York. And Dallas is the underdog. The circumstances don't favor the Cowboys but they have to find a way to overcome them. The Cowboys must remain calm, cool and collected in a setting where composure can be easily lost. It could mean the difference between winning and losing.
Stay unpredictable: On defense, the Jets are aggressive and unrelenting. But they will have to be more calculating and risk-adverse if they're unable to quickly decode Dallas' offensive gameplan. The Cowboys can effectively reduce the number of blitzes they face by balancing the running and passing games, attacking different levels of the field, and unveiling the occasional trick play.
Win time of possession: If everything went according to the Jets' plan, they would run the ball repeatedly, march down the field during extended drives and wear down the opposing defense. The Cowboys can't let that happen and it's up to their offense to make sure it doesn't. The Cowboys can help their defense simply by holding on the ball and avoiding abbreviated series. After all, the Jets are 20-6 since 2009 when they have more runs and completions than the opposition.
rsabin@dallasnews.com | Bio
NEWARK, N.J. -- The Cowboys face the New York Jets in their season opener. Here is a look at the keys to victory for Dallas:
Stop the run: There is no pretense in the Jets' offensive gameplan. They carry out a steady diet of running plays. It's up to the Cowboys to stop them by controlling the line of scrimmage and plugging the gaps the Jets will try to open.
Don't be overwhelmed: It's the season opener. It's on Sept. 11. It's in New York. And Dallas is the underdog. The circumstances don't favor the Cowboys but they have to find a way to overcome them. The Cowboys must remain calm, cool and collected in a setting where composure can be easily lost. It could mean the difference between winning and losing.
Stay unpredictable: On defense, the Jets are aggressive and unrelenting. But they will have to be more calculating and risk-adverse if they're unable to quickly decode Dallas' offensive gameplan. The Cowboys can effectively reduce the number of blitzes they face by balancing the running and passing games, attacking different levels of the field, and unveiling the occasional trick play.
Win time of possession: If everything went according to the Jets' plan, they would run the ball repeatedly, march down the field during extended drives and wear down the opposing defense. The Cowboys can't let that happen and it's up to their offense to make sure it doesn't. The Cowboys can help their defense simply by holding on the ball and avoiding abbreviated series. After all, the Jets are 20-6 since 2009 when they have more runs and completions than the opposition.
