NFL Dallas Cowboys

Defensive Line Is Key To Dallas Cowboys’ Week 12 Win

Fresh Videos

By @KyleOnTheDaily

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

It’s no secret to anyone that the majority of the New York Giants‘ mishaps are the result of a struggling offensive line that can’t protect star quarterback Eli Manning or open running lanes for Rashad Jennings. When you’re averagely ineffective at the line of scrimmage like the G-Men are, there’s just nothing any of the team’s skill players can do to help.

Simply put, it’s not hard to beat the Giants because their ineptitude on the offensive front causes the whole team to suffer. With barely any time to throw, Manning has to force the football time and time again, and he continues to make critical mistakes as a result. When running lanes cease to exist, Jennings becomes a non-factor as soon as the team falls behind. And lastly, when your offense can’t do either of the above well, your time of possession surely lacks, meaning your defense is always gassed and on the field.

So quite obviously, in my opinion, the Dallas Cowboys‘ defensive line will key a Week 12 divisional win that has rather important playoff implications. If the Cowboys can continue to expose how porous this Giants’ offensive line really is, they’ll steam roll to a blowout victory on “NBC’s Sunday Night Football” as their high-octane offense can take it to an always exhausted defensive unit.

For the above to come to fruition, I expect defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli to throw several different looks at this maligned unit in order to dial up pressure on Manning early and often to throw him off his rhythm. If Demarcus Lawrence, Anthony Spencer, Tyrone Crawford and Henry Melton can take advantage of inferior matchups especially on the blitz, this game can and will get ugly fast for New York.

Don’t be surprised to see another multiple interception game from Manning and for Dallas to cash in on turnovers. Quite frankly, even if Dallas’ front seven plays at an average level, they are still good enough to get the job done to absolutely ensure victory. It’ll now just all come down to execution.

Kyle Nault is a NFL Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow Him on Twitter @KyleOnTheDaily.

Share Tweet
Trending Now on