Cowboys vs. Seahawks
Cowboys
While it wasn’t always pretty, Dallas won a tough game against division rival New York Giants, improving to 1-1. This week the Cowboys head west to visit the Seattle Seahawks, a team who some believe is on the decline but always a formidable opponent at home. This Cowboys team still face many questions on offense but the defense will keep them in games all season. Today we answer some questions about this weekend’s big game.
Which Dak Prescott will we see Sunday in Seattle?
Last season, in Week 15, the Seahawks visited Dallas and throttled the Cowboys 21-12. QB Dak Prescott has one of his worst games of the season but he was also missing RB Ezekiel Elliott. With the engine of the offense back this season, the driver will bounce back. The Seattle defense is vulnerable right now, surrendering 5.5 yards per play and five passing touchdowns early in the year. Prescott will get his play-action game going, he’s completing 76% of his PA attempts. Outside of 2QB leagues, I would not start Dak this week but this week could be a game where we see what he’s made of and what we can expect in 2018.
How is this week’s matchup for Zeke Elliott?
This Seattle matchup is the strongest of the young season for Zeke. Production has been solid, 4.6 yards per carry and 8 receptions. Seattle has given up more than 100 yards per game on the ground but still no rushing touchdowns. For Dallas to compete on Sunday they must run the ball early and often. In two games Zeke has very limited carries but he has played in all but one offensive snap. That pace is the highest in the league for running backs but this will be the typical gameplan.
What have we learned about these Dallas receivers through two games?
We haven’t learned anything new, this team is going to have a hard time moving the ball in the air. However, there is an emerging receiver, Deonte Thompson. The little-known veteran has carved out a role in the offense and pushed Terrance Williams to the bench. Williams has played just 10 snaps on the year and 2 catches. With recent news of a suspension pending, Thompson should continue to play. Michael Gallup is also playing as much as any outside receiver on the team, 47% of snaps, just behind Allen Hurns. While both have been unproductive, primary wideouts should begin to clarify which will only lead to better games from Dak.
Can Dallas go into Seattle and pull off a big win?
The Seahawks are 1.5 point favorites with an over/under of 41. This will be a tight, low scoring game but the Cowboys have a superior, young and talented defense. They should give Russell Wilson and Co. all he can handle. Expect Zeke to dominate on the ground and score at least two TDs. Dallas has started slowly but they are the better team and will prove that Sunday.
-Marc Salazar
Seahawks
Will anyone carry the ball on Sunday?
Not anyone worth starting. The Seattle Seahawks ran zero run plays from about the eight-minute mark in the second quarter until the 14:00-minute mark in the fourth. As much as they like to pretend they are a running team, the simple fact is this team is not looking to put the ball on the ground. And when they do, it looks like a fairly even split between Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny. Although Carson sits atop the depth chart, he is not worth running out there in nearly any format this week. The Cowboys are susceptible to running backs making plays out of the backfield, but Seattle has not shown enough in that area to trust either Penny or Carson in PPR formats. Leave them on the bench (or on the waiver wire) unless something drastic changes.
What’s going on with Russell Wilson?
Well, it’s clear he is still adjusting to a new offensive coordinator and a mostly new crew around him. With no Doug Baldwin, Wilson has had a hard time finding open receivers. His offensive line has not done him any favors either, and that combo has lead to Wilson getting sacked 11 times so far this season. I hesitate to say Wilson should be benched, but I don’t think this Week 3 matchup against the Cowboys is a good one. If you have another solid option, it might be a week to give him a break.
Seattle’s leading receiver is a rookie tight end?
I realize that’s not exactly a question, but it is worth noting. Will Dissly has caught a touchdown in each of his first two games, and leads the team in receiving yards. He has only been targeted five times in each game, but he has been a strong red zone presence. Baldwin will be out once again this week, and Dissly might not be a bad streaming option in 12+ teamers this week.
Tyler Lockett will continue to post WR2 numbers this week, as he also has a TD in each of the first two games. Look for Brandon Marshall to get some targets in the red zone as well, making him a fringe FLEX play in deeper formats.
-Andy Patton