For most of the 1970s and 80s, if the Los Angeles Rams (2-1) and Dallas Cowboys (2-1) were playing, it was probably a playoff game. As it is, only the Cowboys have kept up their end of the bargain, making the postseason five times since 2006 to a whopping zero times for the Rams.
Needless to say, this is the game where my attention will be focused among the early slate. It will be broadcast on FOX at 1 p.m. EST.
The Game: Los Angeles Rams at Dallas Cowboys (-6.5)
O/U: 47.5
The History
As I wrote in the opening, the Rams and Cowboys are old playoff foes. From December 23, 1973 to January 4, 1986 the two teams met in the postseason eight times. Their playoff record is dead even at 4-4.
The Cowboys lead the all time series 17-15 and have won the last three meetings in 2011, 2013 and 2014. Their last victory was the best game as Tony Romo outdueled Austin Davis in a 34-31 win. Romo completed 18 of 23 passes for 217 yards and one interception. Davis was 30 of 42 for 327 yards, three touchdowns and two picks, one that was returned for a touchdown by Cowboys linebacker Bruce Carter that gave Dallas the lead and the win with just six minutes to go in the game.
LOS ANGELES RAMS (2-1)
First off, the good news for the Rams is it looks like they’ll get cornerback Kayvon Webster back for this game. Webster has missed the last two weeks with a shoulder injury. The bad news is safety Lamarcus Joyner is out and his back up, Cody Davis, will likely also be out. That means we’ll see more of Blake Countess and maybe even rookie John Johnson.
On offense, center John Sullivan was banged up last week, but he practiced and should play. Everyone else should be healthy enough in what has become one of the most prolific offenses in the league. The Rams have scored 107 points in three games this season. Last year under Jeff Fisher and offensive coordinator Rob Boras it took them six games to hit that total and they just barely made it. In fact, Los Angeles scored all of 224 points in the entire 2016 season.
The disappointment so far with this Rams squad is its defense, specifically the run defense. Last week they surrendered 84 yards and two touchdowns to Carlos Hyde and the week before, every Redskins running back that touched the ball gained about six yards a pop. The Cowboys are running team and this already looks pretty bleak for the Rams.
On the bright side, the Rams currently sit about five deep at wide receiver and, if Jared Goff can get decent protection, they should still be able to put up some points against Dallas.
DALLAS COWBOYS (2-1)
Demarcus Lawrence has suddenly emerged as one of the best pass rushers in the league and last Monday night he almost single handedly dominated the Arizona Cardinals offensive front, recording three sacks. Maliek Collins picked up two himself. While the Rams line is a superior unit to last year’s sieve, these are two elite pass rushers playing on their home turf. Goff is going to take some hits.
Dallas’ defense did take a shot of its own this week. Linebacker Sean Lee didn’t practice with a hamstring injury and will likely be a gametime decision.
The Cowboys bounced back from a beat down in Denver by delivering one of their own in Arizona. It was a dominant effort on both sides of the ball, with Ezekiel Elliott piling up 80 yards and a touchdown and Dak Prescott throwing two touchdowns and running for one that’ll make highlight reels for the next decade.
The Pick
Last preseason, this match up was the coming out party for Dak Prescott as he lit up the Gregg Williams version of the Rams defense. While, in the long term, the Wade Phillips version will continue to improve, asking them to consistently stop the Cowboys’ offensive attack is a tall order. The Rams will get their points and make it a game, but Dallas should prevail. Cowboys 33, Rams 27
This week
Straight up: 1-0
Against the spread: 1-0
Last week
Straight up: 7-9
Against the spread: 6-10
Season
Straight up: 28-19
Against the spread: 22-25
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