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NFC Divisional Round preview: Dallas Cowboys vs. Los Angeles Rams

By Eric Robinson

Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images
Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images /
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LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 21: Running back Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys carries the ball in the second quarter against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on October 21, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 21: Running back Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys carries the ball in the second quarter against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on October 21, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

Cowboys Keys To Victory

Establishing Elliott: There is not much of a secret when it comes to the Dallas Cowboys offense. The entire scheme pretty much runs through the physical run game that is powered by running back Ezekiel Elliott and the Cowboys offensive line.

The third year running back put together a season that resulted in his second Pro Bowl berth thanks to 2,001 total scrimmage yards and nine total touchdowns. His 77 receptions on the season was a career-high.

In the Cowboys six losses, Elliott averaged 71.8 yards per game while averaging 111.4 yards per game in their victories. He will be going up against a Rams defense that is 23rd in rushing yards allowed and dead last in yards per carry allowed (5.1).

Simply put, a Dallas victory needs a productive Elliott.

Efficiency From Dak: Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott will never be known for a passer with a rocket arm or a great accumulation of 300-yard passing games. All he is really known for and given credit for is making the necessary plays here and there for the Cowboys to become

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 05: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys looks for an open receiver against the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth quarter during the Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 05: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys looks for an open receiver against the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth quarter during the Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

victorious.

On the road this season is where we’ve seen Prescott play is worst with five of his eight interceptions thrown coming in the confines of his opponent’s stadium.

Playing against a veteran defensive coordinator in the Rams’ Wade Phillips poses a challenge for him.

Efficiency from Prescott does not necessarily call for just limiting turnovers but making the smart reads and knowing when to not force a play.

Elite Defensive Play: It was clear just about all season that the Cowboys defense was the team’s best unit.

The emergence of linebackers Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch plus a defensive line that is led by Demarcus Lawrence has been stellar all season.

Now, it’s time for the defense to make those playoff plays.

Facing an offense that was second overall and second in scoring presents an opportunity for this emerging defense to take that next step.

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