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3 Unexpected Players the Cowboys Need to Step up Against the Rams

By Justin Morris

Jaylon Smith prepares for a snap against the Bills
Jaylon Smith prepares for a snap against the Bills / Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

It’s been said that this year’s Dallas Cowboys team has a roster that’s good enough to get them to the Super Bowl, and those are the exact expectations Jerry Jones placed on his squad entering the 2019 season. Take one look at their stats, and you’d think they’re right on track to attain the goal. They boast the top-ranked passing offense in the league, and their defense is in the top 10 in terms of points allowed per game. Their record though: a lackluster 6-7, and they’ve dropped four of their last five matchups.

They still (surprisingly) have a good chance to make the postseason thanks to the unfathomably poor NFC East, but they’ll likely need to win out to do so, making their next game against the Rams critically important.

Here are three players who’ve flown under the radar that will need to step up big time on Sunday.

1. Jaylon Smith

Jaylon Smith needs to step up in Week 15.
Jaylon Smith needs to step up in Week 15. / Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

With Leighton Vander Esch sidelined with a neck injury, and veteran Sean Lee now on the shelf after showing visible signs of aging throughout the year, Smith has not only had to captain Dallas' defense, but play a much more prominent role in the passing game. He still appears to be a bit slow laterally due to his brutal knee injury in college, and in their last matchup against Chicago, he was an obvious weak spot in the Cowboys' passing defense. Smith was challenged multiple times by quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, and gave up a coverage touchdown in the loss. He’ll be a huge factor in Sunday’s game.

2. Tony Pollard

Dallas Cowboys RB Tony Pollard could see more touches in Week 15.
Dallas Cowboys RB Tony Pollard could see more touches in Week 15. / Billie Weiss/Getty Images

Ezekiel Elliott has failed to rush for 100 yards for five consecutive games, the longest stretch of his career. With the run game faltering in Dallas, it may be time to allow Tony Pollard to see more snaps. The rookie RB hasn't logged double-digit carries in more than one game (13 carries for 103 yards in Week 3), but if Elliott isn't able to pick up the required yardage on the ground, perhaps the Cowboys should try to get the ball in Pollard's hands a bit more.

3. Jourdan Lewis

Jourdan Lewis will need to come up big against the Rams in Week 15.
Jourdan Lewis will need to come up big against the Rams in Week 15. / Billie Weiss/Getty Images

Turnovers have been a recurring mantra for the Cowboys defense all year, or should I say the lack thereof. Jourdan Lewis has been the only secondary player to record a turnover over the past few weeks, having picked off Trubisky near the red zone against Chicago in Thursday's game. He will need to be solid again against Jared Goff and the Rams’ eighth-ranked passing offense. Los Angeles has Pro Bowl talent at wide receiver in Robert Woods and Brandin Cooks, so hopefully Lewis will be able to keep up with the likes of them.