The Dallas Cowboys' next game in their December gauntlet is a tricky trip to face the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. With the Cowboys on a five-game winning streak, Mike McCarthy's team will be in a confident mood.
With the game looking like being another test of Dallas' playoff and Super Bowl credentials, how does McCarthy's team roll into Buffalo and walk away with their playoff-clinching 11th win?
By doing these five things. ...
But first the inactives: Malik Hooker (ankle), Johnathan Hankins (ankle/knee), Jalen Brooks, Deuce Vaughn, Eric Scott, Asim Richards and emergency third QB Trey Lance.
Now to the five keys.
1. Protect the ball:
With wet weather expected, the Cowboys need to avoid any turnovers and while they have just one in their last four games, the Bills defense has forced nine in their last four games.
Given the potency of the Bills' offense with Josh Allen, Dallas can't be giving extra possessions to a team fighting for its playoff life.
2. Be ready for a Josh Allen turnover:
Much like Jalen Hurts last week, who had fumbled in six straight games, Allen has done something similar.
He has thrown an interception in nine straight games. Yes, that's right, NINE straight. So he does give defenses a chance at a takeaway and given the weather and how opportunistic Dan Quinn's defense is, if Allen offers up a big juicy turnover, it has to be gobbled up.
3. Protect Dak Prescott:
The Cowboys' offensive line hasn't been at its pass-protecting best in the last two games as Dak has been sacked seven times, while the Bills' defense has 13 sacks in their last five games.
With the weather expected to be wet, holding onto the football is a big emphasis, and doing that with pass rushers in your lap is a tough task. Give Dak time and keep him clean.
4. Win on third down:
The Cowboys currently rank first in the NFL for third down conversions, picking them up 49.17 percent of the time, while the Bills rank 18th in stopping them (39.29 percent).
Conversely, the Bills offense ranks second in picking up third downs in the NFL (48.82 percent) and the Dallas defense ranks 11th in stopping them. So both offenses pick them up with ease, and both defenses struggle at times to stop them.
Pick up third downs and keep Allen on the sidelines.
5. Get the Texas Coast Offense rolling:
The Bills defense, when faced against a star receiver over the last few weeks, have failed to stop them. Travis Kelce (6/83), DeVonta Smith (7/106/1), Tee Higgins (8/110), and Calvin Ridley (7/122) have all had their way with the Bills secondary.
So getting the ball into CeeDee Lamb's hands could be easier than first thought, however, getting the offense rolling with Tony Pollard and Rico Dowdle given the weather could also prove just as fruitful.
The Bills' defense has only allowed 100+ rushing yards twice in their last seven games, so it looks to be a tall order to run on this defense, but not impossible.
5A. Keep Allen in the pocket:
Given how explosive this Bills offense can be, we have had to add another key here as Allen is at his best when allowed to extend plays and scramble for big gains.
The Cowboys' defense needs to follow last week's template vs. Jalen Hurts last week - close the gaps and don't allow Allen to escape the pocket. Given his rushing ability, Allen can pick up 15, 20-yard gains in the blink of an eye.
Keeping him contained looms as a big factor in this game. Don't get beat by what you know, Dallas.
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