Dallas Cowboys have all the edges vs. the Jaguars but don’t plan to take them lightly
Coach Mike McCarthy has the Dallas Cowboys (10-3) on the brink of another historical long-time first.
One week after recording back to back 10-win seasons for the first time since 1995-96, the Cowboys can clinch back-to-back playoff berths for the first time since 2006-2007 with a win against the Jacksonville Jaguars (5-8) on Sunday.
McCarthy has not talked about the playoffs with his team and won’t until after they clinch. That could come Sunday.
His focus is on the Jaguars, who have won two of their last three games, led by quarterback Trevor Lawrence, a former first overall pick who is playing the best football of his career.
“I won’t talk about it until we get the 11th win,” McCarthy said. “I know so much of this game is based on utilization of your mental and emotional energy. And I’m not talking about 11 wins verses 10 wins is going to tap us out emotionally. That’s not what I’m saying. But I’m just I’m beginning to listen to your language and I don’t waste too much time on things that don’t matter. And that fits into that category. So it’s just really staying focused on what’s most important we got we got to win this game on the road.”
McCarthy does allow that getting to the playoffs with the 11th win is the step in the right direction for the Cowboys as it puts them on the road to their biggest goal, the Super Bowl.
“Any time being a Dallas Cowboy if you could say anytime you’re able to be part of history I think that’s that’s a that’s a big deal,” McCarthy said. “Any time you could stand there as a football team and say they’ve done something that hasn’t been done for quite some time for Dallas Cowboys. It’s very positive but it’s our expectation. We expected it. We expect to go to the playoffs. We expect this. It’s where we expect it to be. What are we going to do with this expectation and that’s what’s exciting.”
So who has the edge Sunday:
Cowboys offense vs. Jaguars defense
The Jaguars defense is not good, ranking 27th overall and 28th against the pass, allowing 253.3 yards per game. And while its respectable against the run, giving up 115.4 yards per game, it doesn’t present as an impenetrable force. Running backs Tony Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott should do enough damage to set stage quarterback Dak Prescott to make big plays through the air to CeeDee Lamb and Micah Gallup.
Edge: Cowboys
Cowboys defense vs. Jaguars offense
The plan for all opponents against the Cowboys defense is to run the ball. It is the unit’s biggest week. But Jaguars running back Travis Etienne has averaged only 33.5 rushing yards over his last four games. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence has passed for more than 320 yards and three touchdowns in two the last three games. He appears to be hitting his stride but he is running into a Cowboys pass rush that ranks second in the league in sacks.
Edge: Cowboys
Special Teams
The big question for the Cowboys is has kick returner KaVontae Turner hit a will after playing year-round. Rewmember, he started 2022 in the USFL before joining the Cowboys. Turner had a fumble on a punt against the Texans and made a poor decision to not field a punt late in the fourth quarter. It’s also been weeks since he’s recorded an impact play on returns.
Edge: Jaguars
Coaching
Mike McCarthy gets credit for managing the Cowboys roster through injury and keeping the team fresh. Has the team on brink of back-to-back trips to the playoffs for the first time since 2006-07 Doug Pederson has done good job rebuilding the Jaguars after the train wreck with Urban Meyer.
Edge: Cowboys
Intangibles
The Cowboys have never won a game in Jacksonville. They are 0-3 all-time there.
Edge: Jaguars
Prediction: Cowboys 30, Jaguars 21
This story was originally published December 16, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
