While the Rams secondary appears to be their weakest link with the season ending injuries to three of their top four cornerbacks coming into the season, would Dallas think running the ball be the best way to attack the Rams?
Nick Waggoner, the senior writer on StlouisRams.com, said that one of the five keys to Sunday’s game is slowing down Tony Romo. Waggoner thinks Romo is one of the deadliest quarterbacks in the NFL, writing, “He has thrown for 1,590 yards and eight touchdowns for a rating of 91.7 through five games. Much like last week and Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers, Romo is capable of making big plays by escaping pressure and getting the ball down the field.”
I do agree with his assessment that putting pressure on Romo, perhaps causing some turnovers with his broken ribs is vital, but that can be true each week in football. The numbers would certainly back up Waggoner, that getting to Romo is the key.
Dallas has one of the league’s worst running games, averaging less than 85 yards per game. However, the Rams are at the bottom of the league in run defense, giving up 163 yards per game, and an average of 4.9 yards per carry, so could it be possible that the Cowboys would try running more if the Rams focus on the passing game? Not likely.
The Cowboys will be without their starting running back Felix Jones and third round pick DeMarco Murray will get the start. Dallas tried running the clock out with a lead against New England and it backfired.
Earlier this week, Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo said, “It’s not real fun when you struggle in that department defensively because we firmly believe it has to begin up front. The one thing you always know is that if you commit too many against the run, especially against this team we’re getting ready to play, they’ve got guys on the outside that will kill you. So you’ve always got to weigh the options of what you try to take away.”
As far as the Rams offense, quarterback Sam Bradford admitted earlier this week that he had this game at Dallas circled on his calendar. The Oklahoma City native said that this would be the closest he’d get to playing at home, but now he’s hoping his high ankle sprain will heal enough to allow him on the field.
I’m also interested to see Blue Spring, MO. native Brandlon Lloyd. He played for Josh McDaniels in Denver and said he was surprised how fast he picked up on the offense again. All of the terminology used in Denver was the same. Lloyd expects to contribute, but also looks at himself as a leader. Lloyd thinks the young Rams receivers have the talent, they just need to focus in on the small details of being a NFL receiver.
Brandon Lloyd on his arrival in St. Louis
