The Dallas Cowboys have been perfect through three weeks but will need these five X-factors to step up in Week 4 in New Orleans to stay unbeaten.
It’s hard to imagine a more perfect start to the 2019 season for the Dallas Cowboys. For one, they’ve been off to a torrid start on their own part, going 3-0 to begin the year and looking like one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the NFL. On top of that, though, the rest of the NFC East has stumbled out of the gates with second place being the Eagles at 2-2.
That gives the Cowboys a stranglehold on the division through three weeks and they now go on the road for a primetime matchup with the New Orleans Saints in Week 4. Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offense have to like this matchup against a New Orleans defense that has been giving up points in droves but the defense of Dallas will be tested, even if Teddy Bridgewater is in for Drew Brees.
This is a crucial matchup for the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4. Not only would a win secure their strong grasp on the division but they’d be in one of the driver’s seats in the NFC as a whole as well. To get the win at the Mercedes Benz Superdome, though, these five players will be the X-factors for Dallas.
5. Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith
It’s not shocking looking at the Saints gameplan to knock off Seattle last week that Alvin Kamara was heavily involved. With a backup quarterback at the helm, New Orleans looked to get the ball in their speedy playmaker’s hands as often as possible. And it worked.
Kamara had 16 carries for 69 yards and a touchdown on the ground and bested that as a pass-catcher with nine catches for 92 yards and another trip to the end zone. He’s a matchup nightmare but the Cowboys have to do their best to contain him, specifically in regards to the star linebacker twosome of Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith.
These two Dallas linebackers are both athletically gifted and have proven their prowess at making plays. However, they have been a little on their heels to start the season. That can’t happen against the Saints as they look to get Kamara free once again in this matchup. If the Cowboys linebackers can shut him down, that will put them on the path to defensive success.