The Dallas Cowboys (2-1) and the San Diego Chargers (1-2) will enter their Week 4 showdown Sunday by the side of Qualcomm Stadium watchfully optimistic so as to the disparaging flaws which plagued their respective squads keep up time allow been rectified.
For Dallas, a run of the mill season from quarterback Tony Romo, a non-existent running attack, and an changeable cover prone to deferred game collapses, all led to any more underachieving season and a failure to turn into the playoffs in 2012.
This time, however, many of the Cowboys' onwards problems seemingly allow been remedied.
Running back DeMarco Murray is fresh inedible a 26-carry, 175-yard standout effort aligned with the Rams so as to incorporated a 41-yard scamper. His performance brought balance to the Cowboys offense, and helped calibrate the pure tone so as to led to Dallas' binge victory.
Romo, despite anguish from sore ribs in the at the outset three games, has managed to pass up the catastrophic, multi-interception games so as to his gunslinger-style on occasion produces. Thus far, he has accomplished greater than 72% of his passes, and has thrown 6 touchdowns compared to simply single interception.
But perhaps the chief area of recovery is on the defensive part of the sphere, anywhere new-fangled coordinator Monte Kiffin has abandoned the team's changeable 3-4 scheme and implemented his brand 4-3, "Tampa 2" cover.
The results so far allow been tremendous. With Kiffin by the side of the wheel, the Dallas D has transformed into a hustling, gang-tackling troop so as to not simply forces turnovers, but plus ranks succeeding in the NFL in expressions of smallest amount of rushing yards allowable. Given so as to the NFC East is having a particularly down time, Dallas' cover single-handedly might be an adequate amount of to bear the team to a division title.
Nevertheless, nearby is right mind in support of caution.
Dallas' defensive front four has played well, but has been burden it with smoke and mirrors. Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jay Ratliff has yet to fool around a snap, and finish off Anthony Spencer -- awarded the team's contract tag and greater than $10 million this offseason bearing in mind recording 11 sacks keep up time -- is likely not worth it in support of the season due to knee fault.
The Spencer injury is especially devastating as it will deposit more dependability on hope Hall of Famer DeMarcus Ware to generate sacks. Moreover, nearby is a alarm so as to linemen George Selvie (2 sacks) and Jason Hatcher (3 sacks) might not be able to keep up the reliable from top to toe level of fool around so as to they allow exhibited in the at the outset three games.
Meanwhile, the Chargers plus had their share of problems keep up time, preparatory with the offense.
Quarterback Philip Rivers had a rough season on stage behind a shaky Chargers provocative line, as he was sacked an AFC-high 49 time, threw 15 picks, and lost 7 fumbles. His struggles, and individuals of the offense overall, eventually led to Coach Norv Turner's dismissal and to the drafting of provocative tackle D.J. Fluker in the at the outset circular.
This time, Rivers is looking more like his old playmaker self, as he has thrown 8 touchdowns and simply 1 interception, while completing 70% of his passes. Modish addition, his favorite target, problematic finish off Antonio Gates, to conclude appears to be healthy, as he has trapped 15 balls and single touchdown.
Although Rivers seems to be back on track, San Diego has multiple difficult areas it duty take in hand. First, the running attack has been doleful, as running back Ryan Mathews has yet to rush in support of 100 yards in a game, and is averaging a miserable 3.6 yards for each bear.
The cover has been even worse, grade a lowly 31st overall and giving up an run of the mill of 470 yards for each game. Safety Eric Weddle leads the team with 21 tackles, which often is not a fine sign since he duty cover up the mistakes of others.
Added importantly, San Diego's cover has not been clutch, as it has frivolous leads in the fourth quarter, counting keep up week's game-winning drive to quarterback Jake Locker and the Titans in the final tiny of so as to contest.
Prediction
Cowboys win, 30-24.
Expect both offenses to move the chains and deposit up points recognition to their talented quarterbacks. The difference will be so as to Romo will allow a running game to lean on and a better collection of skill players to target, counting Pro Bowl problematic finish off Jason Witten and receiver Dez Bryant, arguably the on the whole talented player on the deal with in this game. The detail so as to Romo will be facing single of the weaker defenses in the league certainly doesn't hurt his odds either.
The Rivers-to-Gates connection will be problematic in support of Dallas and will win its share of battles on third down, but with Malcolm Floyd likely not worth it due to injury, the put your feet up of the Charger receiving public body will be too worn-out to trade scores with the Cowboys offense.
Ultimately, it is the Cowboys' cover so as to sets them apart. Ware (4 sacks) and company will pressure and sack the stationary Rivers, and eventually, so as to will turn into a difference. Dallas already leads the NFC with 11 sacks.
Speedy linebackers Bruce transporter and Sean Lee will be real not simply rushing Rivers, but plus dropping back into pass coverage on the intermediate routes to help on Gates and running back Danny Woodhead. Modish addition, corners Brandon Carr, Morris Claiborne, and Orlando Scandrick will be evidence for they allow the athleticism to cover the Charger wideouts effectively one-on-one.
Modish the finish off, Dallas will injure away deferred to win on the road in a closely-contested game.
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