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DALLAS
ST LOUIS |
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Final
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| 453 | DALLAS | -1 | -2 | | 454 | ST LOUIS | 45 | 45 |
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| All Games | 1-1 | +0.3 | 1-1 | 0-2 | 21.5 | 9.5 | 375.0 | (5.7) | 2.5 | 19.0 | 14.0 | 316.5 | (6.3) | 1.0 | | Road Games | 1-0 | +1.3 | 1-0 | 0-1 | 26.0 | 16.0 | 368.0 | (5.1) | 1.0 | 10.0 | 0.0 | 314.0 | (6.7) | 2.0 | | Last 3 Games | 1-1 | +0.3 | 1-1 | 0-2 | 21.5 | 9.5 | 375.0 | (5.7) | 2.5 | 19.0 | 14.0 | 316.5 | (6.3) | 1.0 |
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| Offense (All Games) | 21.5 | 9.5 | 26.0 | 36:17 | 33-173 | (5.3) | 21-33 | 63.6% | 201 | (6.1) | 66-375 | (5.7) | (17.4) | | Opponents Defensive Avg. | 20.2 | 7.2 | 21.5 | 30:15 | 25-115 | (4.6) | 21-34 | 62.2% | 188 | (5.6) | 59-303 | (5.2) | (15) | | Offense Road Games | 26.0 | 16.0 | 26.0 | 41:11 | 43-220 | (5.1) | 19-29 | 65.5% | 148 | (5.1) | 72-368 | (5.1) | (14.2) | | Defense (All Games) | 19.0 | 14.0 | 16.0 | 23:42 | 21-104 | (4.9) | 17-28 | 59.6% | 212 | (7.4) | 50-316 | (6.3) | (16.7) | | Opponents Offensive Avg. | 21 | 13.8 | 18.8 | 30:45 | 27-125 | (4.6) | 19-31 | 62.1% | 225 | (7.2) | 58-350 | (6) | (16.7) | | Defense Road Games | 10.0 | 0.0 | 13.0 | 18:49 | 13-82 | (6.3) | 18-34 | 52.9% | 232 | (6.8) | 47-314 | (6.7) | (31.4) |
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| Stats For (All Games) | 1.5 | 1.0 | 2.5 | -1.5 | 12-7 | 56.0% | 0-0 | 100.0% | 1-29 | (29) | 1-7 | (5) | 7-48 | | Opponents Avg. Stats Against | 1.5 | 0.5 | 2 | 3.2 | 12-4 | 39.1% | 1-0 | 66.7% | 2-34 | (22.7) | 16-2 | (7.9) | 7-45 | | Stats For (Road Games) | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 16-9 | 56.2% | 0-0 | 0.0% | 0-0 | (0) | 1-15 | (15) | 4-25 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | | 11-4 | 40.9% | 0-0 | 0.0% | 2-34 | (13.6) | 0-6 | (13) | 8-55 | | Opponents Avg. Stats For | 1.5 | 0.2 | 1.8 | | 13-6 | 45.1% | 1-0 | 33.3% | 2-37 | (16.3) | 10-2 | (6.5) | 11-84 | | Stats Against (Road Games) | 2.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | | 10-2 | 20.0% | 1-0 | 0.0% | 5-68 | (13.6) | 0-0 | (0) | 5-30 |
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| All Games | 1-1 | +0.1 | 1-1 | 0-2 | 12.5 | 5.0 | 328.5 | (5.7) | 1.5 | 25.5 | 10.0 | 339.0 | (6.4) | 0.5 | | Home Games | 0-1 | -1.5 | 0-1 | 0-1 | 6.0 | 0.0 | 318.0 | (5.5) | 2.0 | 34.0 | 13.0 | 346.0 | (6.3) | 0.0 | | Last 3 Games | 1-1 | +0.1 | 1-1 | 0-2 | 12.5 | 5.0 | 328.5 | (5.7) | 1.5 | 25.5 | 10.0 | 339.0 | (6.4) | 0.5 | | Dome Games | 0-1 | -1.5 | 0-1 | 0-1 | 6.0 | 0.0 | 318.0 | (5.5) | 2.0 | 34.0 | 13.0 | 346.0 | (6.3) | 0.0 |
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| Offense (All Games) | 12.5 | 5.0 | 17.5 | 31:54 | 25-95 | (3.7) | 23-32 | 70.8% | 233 | (7.2) | 58-328 | (5.7) | (26.3) | | Opponents Defensive Avg. | 24.8 | 15.2 | 18.6 | 32:29 | 31-118 | (3.8) | 21-30 | 72.2% | 228 | (7.7) | 61-346 | (5.7) | (13.9) | | Offense Home Games | 6.0 | 0.0 | 15.0 | 31:43 | 22-72 | (3.3) | 24-36 | 66.7% | 246 | (6.8) | 58-318 | (5.5) | (53) | | Defense (All Games) | 25.5 | 10.0 | 18.0 | 28:06 | 30-171 | (5.7) | 16-23 | 71.7% | 167 | (7.3) | 53-339 | (6.4) | (13.3) | | Opponents Offensive Avg. | 17.8 | 6.2 | 16.2 | 28:31 | 23-114 | (4.9) | 19-31 | 62.1% | 162 | (5.3) | 54-276 | (5.1) | (15.6) | | Defense Home Games | 34.0 | 13.0 | 18.0 | 28:17 | 30-186 | (6.2) | 17-25 | 68.0% | 160 | (6.4) | 55-346 | (6.3) | (10.2) |
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| Stats For (All Games) | 1.0 | 0.5 | 1.5 | -1.0 | 12-4 | 36.0% | 0-0 | 0.0% | 1-24 | (16) | 3-12 | (4.2) | 9-93 | | Opponents Avg. Stats Against | 0.7 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 2 | 13-5 | 41.1% | 0-0 | 40.0% | 1-15 | (20) | 40-3 | (11.7) | 10-99 | | Stats For (Home Games) | 2.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | -2.0 | 14-4 | 28.6% | 0-0 | 0.0% | 1-26 | (26) | 5-24 | (4.8) | 13-121 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 | | 9-3 | 36.8% | 0-0 | 0.0% | 3-82 | (27.3) | 1-3 | (3) | 5-45 | | Opponents Avg. Stats For | 1.5 | 0.8 | 2.3 | | 11-4 | 35.6% | 0-0 | 40.0% | 3-65 | (22.4) | 15-2 | (10.1) | 6-55 | | Stats Against (Home Games) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | | 11-3 | 27.3% | 0-0 | 0.0% | 2-48 | (24) | 1-6 | (6) | 7-60 |
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| | Average power rating of opponents played: DALLAS 22, ST LOUIS 15.5 |
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| 9/7/2014 | SAN FRANCISCO | 17-28 | L | 3 | L | 49 | U | 23-127 | 23-37-255 | 4 | 30-127 | 16-23-192 | 0 | | 9/14/2014 | @ TENNESSEE | 26-10 | W | 3 | W | 49 | U | 43-220 | 19-29-148 | 1 | 13-82 | 18-34-232 | 2 | | 9/21/2014 | @ ST LOUIS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 9/28/2014 | NEW ORLEANS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10/5/2014 | HOUSTON | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10/12/2014 | @ SEATTLE | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10/19/2014 | NY GIANTS | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| 9/7/2014 | MINNESOTA | 6-34 | L | -3 | L | 43.5 | U | 22-72 | 24-36-246 | 2 | 30-186 | 17-25-160 | 0 | | 9/14/2014 | @ TAMPA BAY | 19-17 | W | 4.5 | W | 37.5 | U | 29-119 | 22-29-220 | 1 | 30-157 | 16-21-175 | 1 | | 9/21/2014 | DALLAS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10/5/2014 | @ PHILADELPHIA | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10/13/2014 | SAN FRANCISCO | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10/19/2014 | SEATTLE | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| |  | DALLAS: Offensive line coach Bill Callahan is expected to relinquish play-calling duties to new offensive coordinator Scott Linehan in order to focus on improving the Cowboys' anemic rushing attack. They end up abandoning the run early in many games, as the zone-blocking scheme that Callahan implemented has yet to take hold. DeMarco Murray will take a headlining role again in this backfield, especially in the red zone, and he'll keep that role until his next injury. Joseph Randle and Lance Dunbar will fight for scraps.
Linehan ran a pass-happy offense in Detroit, similar to what the Cowboys have run. He's an Air Coryell disciple with a system that uses a lot of top-down reads, looking to take advantage of the deep ball. Dez Bryant is the obvious No. 1 receiver in this offense, and Linehan will likely move him around more than Dallas has done in the past. Tight end Jason Witten provides another chess piece type of weapon to wreak some havoc. Terrance Williams steps in as the No. 2 and will be used primarily as a deep threat. The Cowboys will use two tight ends as often as they go three-wide, meaning third wideout Cole Beasley and second TE Gavin Escobar will essentially split playing time. Dallas was one of the league's most pass-heavy red zone teams last year, a trend that's likely to continue this season. Bryant is the top target near the goal line, with Witten a close second.
Dallas DL coach Rod Marinelli will take over defensive coordinator duties in 2014, hoping to generate more turnovers like he did with the Bears (44 TO in 2012). But the Cowboys still give up tons of yards and will have much fewer sacks after losing both DE DeMarcus Ware (117 career sacks) and DT Jason Hatcher (11 sacks in 2013). | | ST LOUIS: The Rams' running game found its footing in the second half of last year. They use a variety of looks behind a scheme that is heavy in zone blocking, utilizing a fullback and two tight ends, and running out of shotgun sets. Zac Stacy will be the workhorse. He thrived running in space behind the creative blocking schemes, especially on the perimeter. Rookie Tre Mason figures to take a decent workload behind him, as the Rams look to keep both their undersized runners healthy and fresh. The 224-pound Stacy will once again likely take on a monster red-zone workload, as the Rams tend to go very ground-heavy near the goal line.
Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer's playbook is full of short drops, play-action and catch-and-run situations. Tight end Jared Cook emerged as the No. 1 target by default, as the Rams effectively move him around to find mismatches. They're hoping Titans cast-off Kenny Britt can take over at split end and provide a true No. 1 receiver. Tavon Austin figures to have a more consistent role this year, and they'll use him throughout formations. Chris Givens will be a deep threat again, and expect more screen-game work for Stacy, as Mason isn't ready to  passing downs. When they throw inside the 20, quarterback Sam Bradford will usually look for one of his tight ends: Cook or Lance Kendricks. Britt might also work his way into the red-zone mix.
This team has an NFL-high 105 sacks since 2012 and new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams will make sure that doesn't change with basically the same personnel plus some rookies. The Rams recovered 11 more fumbles last season than in 2012, and scored five defensive touchdowns for the second straight year. |
| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PA SPORTSTICKER PRO FOOTBALL PREVIEW (DALLAS-ST LOUIS) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(ADDS status of Cowboys' McClain, Bryant)
*Cowboys-Rams Preview* ======================
Jerry Jones is enjoying how DeMarco Murray emerging as the NFL's leading rusher has taken the pressure off Tony Romo for the Dallas Cowboys.
Murray has always been at his best against the St. Louis Rams, who have already let two unheralded players shred them on the ground.
He figures to be the focal point again Sunday for the visiting Cowboys, who are preparing for both quarterbacks that the Rams may start.
No Dallas player has amassed more rushing yards through two games than the league-best 285 by Murray, who gained 167 on a career-high 29 carries in last Sunday's 26-10 win at Tennessee.
"I think we ran the ball a lot of different ways against a good defensive front, but certainly when DeMarco had the ball in his hands, he was a dominant runner," coach Jason Garrett said. "There's no question in my mind about that."
Romo has been sacked seven times to match Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers for the league's second-highest total. He was called upon to throw for only 176 yards against the Titans - and that was OK with Jones.
"When you can have more of a balance, which means that you're not sitting there with a highway show of passes for Romo, then I think we're seeing you have a better chance for your defense to be more effective, play less plays, better field position," Jones said.
"All of it works together. And so the way we played Romo the other day fits me just fine and fits him just fine. It's called winning and that's what we're all here for."
A similar game plan figures to be on tap since St. Louis (1-1) allows an average of 171.0 rushing yards for the NFL's third-worst mark. Minnesota's Cordarrelle Patterson ran for 102 yards in the opener while a backup - Bobby Rainey - had 144 last Sunday even though St. Louis won 19-17 at Tampa Bay.
"We're not where we need to be in run defense," coach Jeff Fisher said. "We're going to really be tested this week. We gotta get better there. We missed too many tackles, had some run misfits."
Murray's best career efforts have come the last two times the Cowboys have faced the Rams. He gained 253 yards to break Emmitt Smith's franchise record of 237 in a 34-7 rout Oct. 23, 2011, and had 175 last Sept. 22 in a 31-7 win.
"It seems like only yesterday we had that mess happen in Dallas last year," Fisher said. "Dallas had the ball for over 41 minutes in Tennessee. That's going to be a huge challenge for us."
Fisher says that Shaun Hill will start if the quarterback is able to return from a thigh injury suffered in the opener. That's the case even though rookie Austin Davis was 22 of 29 for 235 yards in his first career start last weekend.
"If Shaun is healthy and able to play and not gonna subject himself to re-injuring this or making it worse, then Shaun's our quarterback and Austin's our backup," Fisher said. "And that's just the way it is."
Hill is 0-2 against the Cowboys (1-1) despite 592 passing yards and four touchdowns, losing in 2008 with San Francisco and 2010 with Detroit.
"Shaun's more of a veteran player, he's played a long time in this league, he has a certain style but it doesn't seem like they change drastically from a system standpoint," Garrett said. "They seem to run the same kinds of plays, and do the same kinds of things with each of those guys."
The Cowboys' defense looks much improved from the unit that allowed a franchise-worst 415.3 yards per game a year ago. That figure is down to 316.5 after limiting the Titans to 68 yards and no points in the first half.
However, middle linebacker Rolando McClain injured his groin in that game, and the team's leading tackler is likely to miss this one.
The defense will receive a boost, though, if Orlando Scandrick is back on the field. The cornerback is rejoining the club two weeks early after a four-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs was cut in half since the players and the league reached agreement on a revised policy.
The Cowboys will determine whether Scandrick can play based on how he fares in practice this week.
"He's got a competitive spirit," Garrett said. "He's got a way about him that we think is really positive for our team and infectious on our team. He's just a good player. It's good to get him back in the mix."
The Rams led the NFC with 53 sacks a year ago but have two in 2014. Star defensive end Robert Quinn has zero after he had a conference-best 19 in 2013.
Dallas star receiver Dez Bryant (shoulder) is questionable after being limited in practice this week.
Game Notes: |
| | Last Updated: 4/25/2024 12:56:03 AM EST. |
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