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Week 10 Preview: Cowboys at Jaguars
Dallas Cowboys (6-3) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-8)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at Wembley Stadium, London – TV: FOX
*TV announcers: Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa
*Keys to the game: Dallas might attempt to land a roundhouse punch early after going ultra-conservative in consecutive defeats, but the Cowboys plan to ride RB DeMarco Murray.
Jacksonville (123.4 rushing yards allowed per game) is third in the NFL with 27 sacks, but the Jaguars’ light front is not an even match against the Dallas offensive line. Jacksonville was steamrolled for 191 rushing yards at Cincinnati last week and 148 in Week 8 against Miami in two games since losing MLB Paul Posluszny.
WR Dez Bryant has touchdown receptions in the past two games but only five receptions for 45 yards despite being targeted 17 times. If QB Tony Romo (back) is held out, watch for coordinator Scott Linehan to get the ball to Bryant at the line of scrimmage to boost QB Brandon Weeden’s confidence.
The Jaguars have yet to top 24 points this season, teetering between goals of controlling the ball while not asking QB Blake Bortles, who has 13 interceptions, to win games by himself.
*Matchup to watch – Cowboys DT Henry Melton vs. Jaguars C Luke Bowanko: Melton was destructive in the past two games and Jacksonville’s interior pass protection remains problematic. Bortles has been sacked 19 times in seven games.
*Player spotlight – Jaguars RB Denard Robinson: Averaging 5.0 yards per carry with a skillset similar to Arizona Cardinals RB Andre Ellington (134 total yards last week vs. Dallas), Robinson is the key to Jacksonville’s ball-control game plan. If Robinson doesn’t gain traction, Jacksonville’s ability to extend drives is shot.
*Fast facts: Bortles has eight TD passes, including four of 31 yards or longer (31, 40, 48, 63). … Bryant leads all receivers with 40 TD catches since 2011.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
If Dallas plays tight and cautious, the Jaguars are capable of dealing the Cowboys a third consecutive loss. Getting on the board early could do wonders for Bortles, but he’s simply outgunned again.
*Our pick: Cowboys 22-15
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