Dallas Cowboys: 5 Bold predictions vs. Jets, Week 6
By Randy Gurzi
2. LVE has a bounce-back game
One of the biggest head-scratchers in the Cowboys loss to the Packers was the way that linebacker Leighton Vander Esch continually found himself on the wrong end of a big play. LVE missed several tackles and also had his share of poor angles.
The reason this was so confounding is that Vander Esch rarely seems to make a mistake when it comes to getting after the ball carrier. The Cowboys first-round pick out of Boise State last season was one of the best rookie defenders in the NFL and quickly won the fan base over with his ability to cover more ground than any other linebacker on the team.
His nose for the ball led to him racking up a team-high 140 tackles while also registering seven pass defenses and two picks. He did this despite starting only two games in his first season.
This naturally had expectations high for him in year two, and so far he’s playing very well overall. Vander Esch has 41 tackles, a half-sack, and a forced fumble. Even in his game against the Packers, he was able to pick p nine tackles but he just didn’t make the impact we have become accustomed to.
In Week 6 against the New York Jets, that should change. Their offense has their share of issues and Vander Esch can take advantage of that and in doing so, he will get some positive momentum going forward.