This Sunday, the Dallas Cowboys head to MetLife Stadium to battle the winless New York Jets (0-4). The Jets are desperate to turn their season around, but Dallas can’t afford to slip up. Coming off a 40-40 shootout tie against Green Bay, the Cowboys need to seize momentum and prove they can take care of business against a struggling opponent.
Jets
- New York is 0-4 after a 27-21 loss to the Dolphins, where penalties (13 total) and turnovers (three) derailed their chances.
- Defensively, they’re giving up 30.0 points per game, ranking near the bottom of the league.
- Offensively, the ground game has been their lone bright spot, averaging 182 rushing yards per game.
- However, rookie running back Braelon Allen is now on IR with a knee injury, leaving even more weight on Breece Hall.
Cowboys
- Dallas tied the Packers last week in an offensive shootout. Dak Prescott threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns, but defensive lapses cost the team late.
- The offense has totaled 493 rushing yards so far this season, showing balance when healthy.
- Injuries are piling up: wideouts CeeDee Lamb and KaVontae Turpin are banged up, leaving the passing game stretched thin.
Three Keys for a Dallas Victory
1. Attack the Jets’ Secondary
Explosive plays have gashed New York’s defense. Dallas should mix in deep shots early, then balance with the run to keep the Jets off guard. Play action and motion will create mismatches, opening up chances for chunk gains.
2. Protect the Football
The Jets have struggled with turnovers and penalties, but Dallas can’t afford to hand them easy chances. Winning the turnover battle, staying clean on penalties, and forcing mistakes from New York will tilt the game heavily in the Cowboys’ favor.
3. Contain Justin Fields, Breece Hall, and Garrett Wilson
The Jets’ offense revolves around three dangerous playmakers, and Dallas must take them out of rhythm.
- Keep Fields in the pocket. Don’t let him extend plays or gash the defense on scrambles.
- Force Hall inside. Set firm edges so he can’t bounce outside for explosive runs.
- Bracket Wilson. Use help over the top to limit his deep-ball opportunities and prevent him from being Fields’ bailout target.
If the Cowboys control Fields’ legs, funnel Hall back inside, and keep Wilson under wraps, New York’s offense will stall.
This is a must-win spot for Dallas. The Jets may be winless, but they still have enough talent to be dangerous if the Cowboys aren’t disciplined. For Dallas, it comes down to execution.
If the Cowboys follow through on their keys — attacking the Jets’ secondary, protecting the football, and neutralizing New York’s top playmakers — they should leave MetLife with a decisive win and momentum heading into the next stretch of the season—prediction: Cowboys 27, Jets 17.
The formula is clear — play smart, stay disciplined, and let Dak Prescott lead the charge. Do that, and the Cowboys will head home with a much-needed victory.