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Dallas Cowboys vs. Los Angeles Rams: 3 Critical matchups in Divisional Round

By Randy Gurzi

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 13: Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald lines up in a 2016 exhibition game against the Cowboys. The Rams should've expected the Donald holdout this year to extend into the regular season. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 13: Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald lines up in a 2016 exhibition game against the Cowboys. The Rams should've expected the Donald holdout this year to extend into the regular season. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 19: Marcus Peters #22 of the Kansas City Chiefs makes a pass interference penalty against Amari Cooper #89 of the Oakland Raiders during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 19, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 19: Marcus Peters #22 of the Kansas City Chiefs makes a pass interference penalty against Amari Cooper #89 of the Oakland Raiders during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 19, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Marcus Peters vs. Amari Cooper

The aforementioned Dallas turnaround came in large part due to the team making a deal with the Oakland Raiders for wideout Amari Cooper. Before he arrived, the team had problems moving the ball through the air and it affected their offense as a whole.

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Once he arrived, defenses had to respect the passing game and that opened things up for everyone. Suddenly other receivers found favorable matchups and safeties couldn’t zero in on Ezekiel Elliott any longer. Cooper proved his worth again this past weekend as he had 106 yards receiving in the win.

Dallas will again need him this week, but it isn’t going to be easy for him as he will be matched up against Marcus Peters, who is an excellent corner. Peters was brought to L.A. for games like this and has had a tendency for gambling and coming up big. And in this game, he may be willing to take chances due to his familiarity with the Cowboys best receiver.

Cooper played against Peters in the AFC West when he was with the Raiders and Peters was with the Kansas City Chiefs. Their rivalry will be renewed here and if Peters can get the best of Cooper, the Dallas offense will struggle. If Cooper can come out on top, the Cowboys can run their ball control offense and try to keep pace with the Rams — or at least keep their playmakers sidelined.

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