Game-Planning the Cowboys’ Offense

At 7-1, the Dallas Cowboys are obviously doing something right. Offensively is starts with their offensive line which is protecting rookie Dak Prescott and is opening holes for fellow rookie Ezekiel Elliott. How do the Steelers’ deal with the Cowboys’ potent attack? Let’s find out.

Dallas Offensive Ranking: Overall-6th, Passing-22nd, Rushing-2nd

Pittsburgh Defensive Ranking: Overall-19th, Passing-20th, Rushing-11th

How the Steelers Attack

Going into last week, Steelers’ Defensive Coordinator Keith Butler had to stop the bleeding in his run defense while at the same time he had to get pressure on the quarterback. Despite losing, the Steelers were able to do a little of both. Butler brought more blitzes than at any time this season even bringing William Gay a couple of times and Mike Mitchell on a play where Artie Burns ultimately grabbed his first career interception.

Pittsburgh is facing a quarterback that is much more mobile and used to throwing on the run though on Sunday. Add in the fact that Dallas may have the best offensive line in football and you’ve got a very tall order. 

In terms of run defense, the Steelers will have to get to Elliott before he can get started. While he has very good speed, he is also a load to bring down especially when he gets a head of steam. Look for Butler to have studied run tendencies. When do the Cowboys run more often than pass and out of what formations? If he gets a feel for their tendencies then I believe you’ll see more run blitzes than we’ve seen this year and most of those will be with Ryan Shazier.

Because the Cowboys have talent at the receiver and tight end position, the Steelers must make the Cowboys one-dimensional and that won’t be easy. Jason Witten has been one of the great all-time Cowboys but he doesn’t possess the speed at tight end that usually give the Steelers fits. In play-action, he remains dangerous however. 

Look for the Steelers to also play a little more coverage this week but with many different pre-snap looks. While Prescott has already seen just about everything in his first eight games, that doesn’t mean Butler won’t do his best to keep Prescott from getting too comfortable. 

Obviously Dez Bryant is Dez Bryant. The Steelers cannot allow him to get deep and they can’t give him too much space when he catches the ball. Keeping him in front and tackling him upon any reception is vital to the success of the defense. 

I expect a titanic battle in the trenches with Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt going up against the interior of the Cowboys’ line and that may very well be where this game is decided. Butler needs to bring bodies to slow the run and play mind games with Prescott to keep him off his game when passing. 

Do those things and the Steelers will be in good shape.

[Note:] While Tony Romo is medically cleared, I do not expect him to play Sunday.

Photo courtesy foxsports.com