Game changers Cowboys must contain on a week-to-week basis in 2024
The Cowboys are going to face some very talented players on their schedule this year.
The Dallas Cowboys 2024 schedule is filled with talented players on the opposition that are capable of altering the course of any game all by themselves. These game-changing type of players must be contained for Dallas to have any type of success this year, but that's easier said than done.
Today, we identify potential game changers on a week-to-week and game-to-game basis. These the type of players will be difficult to contain on an individual basis, and as such, could require a collaborative effort by the Cowboys to keep them from altering the game in their team's favor.
Week 1: DE Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns
With his combination of strength, power, and speed Myles Garrett is difficult to contain by even the best offensive tackles in the league. The Cowboys will try to accomplish that with RT Terence Steele and rookie Tyler Guyton if he earns a starting job at LT. That seems like a daunting task to accomplish, which is why we will likely see Garrett receive extra attention with chip blocks from the Cowboys to hopefully slow him down.
Week 2: WR Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
Chris Olave has already turned himself into one of the better wide receivers in the entire league in the short amount of time he's been in the NFL. It's unlikely Mike Zimmer will have someone shadow him throughout the game, so Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, and Jourdan Lewis will all likely have an opportunity to limit his production. All three should be up to the task, but will still need to remain vigilant to keep from getting embarrassed.
Week 3: QB Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson edged out Dak Prescott for the league's MVP last season and for good reason. He's the most dangerous dual-threat QB in the entire league and has the ability to alter the course of the game all by himself. And, the offseason addition of RB Derek Henry makes him even more of a game-changing type of threat. Zimmer is going to have to stress the importance of gap integrity, otherwise the Ravens QB will pick them apart.
Weeks 4 & 13: WR Malik Nabers, New York Giants
Malik Nabers is about to experience what RB Saquon Barkley went through during his time with the Giants. There is little doubt the sixth overall pick will be the focal point of the entire offense, but much like Barkley, the talent surrounding him leaves much to be desired. All of the trash talk that took place not long ago between Nabers and Diggs will come to naught. With QB Daniel Jones still under center, the rookie WR might struggle.
Week 5: DE T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers
First Myles Garrett in Week 1 and then T.J. Watt a few weeks later in Week 5. If Guyton wins the starting job at LT he's going to see two of the best pass rushing defensive ends in the entire league probably before he gets the chance to settle in. Both he and Steele will have to be at their best, otherwise the Cowboys entire offensive game plan could be thrown off and Prescott could be at risk of taking big blows.
Week 6: DE Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions
Detroit has numerous players capable of being game changers, but none that have given Dallas as much trouble as Aidan Hutchinson. He hasn't quite reached the notability of Garrett or Watt yet, but he's not far behind them. Hutchinson had a three-sack game against the Cowboys last year in the playoffs and will likely be looking to have a repeat performance in this matchup. Steele and Guyton will need to step up.
Week 7: Bye week
Based on the potential game changers we've mentioned already, no other player more than Dak Prescott may be looking more forward to, or in need of, the bye week than him. He and his teammates could be bruised and battered entering Week 7 and could possibly be in need of the extra time to rest, recuperate, and reevaluate things.
Week 8: RB Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are a pick your poison type of team on both sides of the ball as far as potential game changers the Cowboys need to contain. The player that has given them the most fits over the years though is RB Christian McCaffrey, mostly due to his elite ability as both a runner and receiver out of the backfield. Containing him and putting the ball in QB Brock Purdy's hands is their best bet to finally getting the upper hand against San Francisco.
Week 9: RB Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
Considering expectations, RB Bijan Robinson had somewhat of a disappointing rookie season with the Falcons last year. He's as talented as any running back in the league as both a runner and receiver and is expected to be much more involved in his second season in the league. After trying to contain McCaffrey the week prior, the game plan for Dallas' run defense should be much the same in order to limit Robinson's production.
Weeks 10 & 17: RB Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
This will mark the third consecutive week Dallas' run defense will be tasked to contain yet another elite caliber RB in Saquon Barkley, and then they have to do it again in Week 17. They've done a relatively good job of containing him in the past when he was with the Giants, but he now joins one of the most talented offensive units in the league and should benefit from that. Keeping him in check could be the difference between a W or L for the Cowboys.
Week 11: QB C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
C.J. Stroud proved last year as a rookie with the Texans he's one of the better young QBs in the league and should be even better in Year 2. With a healthy offensive line in front of him for the first time in his professional career and upgraded weapons around him, the skies the limit for him in 2024. Zimmer will need to find some way to get his defense to throw him off his game, otherwise the Cowboys may come up short in the interstate rivalry.
Weeks 12 & 18: WR Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders
In Week 12 and 18 the Cowboys secondary will be tested by one of the best and most underrated WRs in the entire league, Terry McLaurin. Despite the carousel of quarterbacks that as passed through Washington over the past few years, McLaurin has continued to be highly productive and might be even more so in 2024 with Jayden Daniels under center. These two could be in sync by the time Dallas plays them in the latter part of the season.
Week 14: WR Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
Ja'Marr Chase is yet another elite wide receiver who Diggs and Company will be asked to contain in this Week 14 matchup. With RB Joe Mixon no longer part of the equation and questions about Cincinnati's running game, Chase could see a significant boost in touches in order to makeup for any deficit of offensive firepower. He's a game changer any time he touches the ball, and one, Dallas must contain.
Week 15: RB Jonathan Brooks, Carolina Panthers
Despite the Cowboys love for Jonathan Brooks, or quite possibly because of it, the Carolina Panthers swooped in to select him before Dallas had a shot at him in this year's draft. How he's able to rebound from his season-ending knee injury in his last season with the Longhorns remains a mystery, but if healthy he could put himself in contention for Rookie Offensive Player of the Year. He's yet another talented RB who will test Dallas is run defense.
Week 16: WR Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Add Mike Evans to the list of elite WRs Diggs and Company will need to contain this year. Playoff seeding could be on the line for both the Cowboys and Buccaneers at this point in the season, which makes containing him all the more important, at least for Dallas. He's coming off a season where he recorded 1,200+ receiving yards and 13 touchdowns and could even be better in 2024 in his second season with QB Baker Mayfield.
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