Keep an eye on these games as the Cowboys take the week Â
It’s never a dull moment to be a Dallas Cowboys fan. Think about the emotions you’ve experienced as a Cowboys fan over the past two weeks. The first is the rage and possible desperation of seeing a hated rival demolish a team on national television, many were ready to give up on the team as a contender altogether. Then on Monday, we saw the Cowboys pull out a nail-biting win in Los Angeles thanks to defense and the timely improvisation of Dak Prescott.
The Cowboys come into the bye this weekend sitting at a solid 4-2 and one game behind the best record in the NFC. Some fans take up to a week and take a break from football, like the team. However, I’d be willing to bet if you’re reading this, you’re a fan who not only consumes Cowboys football, but all football. The Cowboys have some important games coming up this weekend that could have immediate and future implications. Here are six important games to watch with the Cowboys during the July week.
Noon Saturday, Penn State at Ohio State
In college football terms, this game is big. Both teams are ranked in the top 10, and several players are sure to be on NFL rosters next year. Most of the media will focus on the passing game led by Penn State quarterback Drew Allari and Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., but the reason you should be watching this game as a Cowboys fan is what happens in the trenches. Penn State’s offense is a fearsome rushing attack with a two-headed monster run by Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton. They average over 200 yards per game.
Ohio State quarterback Tommy Eichenberg is the answer to stopping the rushing attack. Eichenberg had an outstanding 2022 season with 120 tackles and 2.5 sacks. He’s a big, strong inside linebacker that the Cowboys could add in this year’s draft. Leighton Vander Esch is struggling with injuries and DeMarvion Overshown is recovering from a torn ACL.
“A guy I liked as a coach is No. 35, Tommy Eichenberg,” Franklin said. “Just a very good footballer. He is fun to watch. Physically, he can make plays. He is clearly a defensive back. Everything goes through him. When you watch him, you pick up as many things from the tape as from the telecopies. Just a really smart, instinctive and athletic defender that we have a lot of respect for.”
Saturday is a chance to get a closer look at Eichenberg in this Big Ten showdown.
Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Washington St. in OregonÂ
In addition to the many fun games in the PAC 12, which is essentially its last season of existence, you should watch this one for Oregon quarterback Bucky Irving. Last week, Irving had more than 120 yards on 22 carries in a thrilling game against Washington. Irving, a junior, is a combination of speed and underrated physicality despite being a small running back (5’10”, 195 pounds).
Irving has gone under the radar as one of the nation’s most intriguing prospects at a position not often mentioned in the same breath as Trey Benson and Audric Estime. The Cowboys have a lot of uncertainty at running back after this season. Tony Pollard plays with the franchise tag. Meanwhile, Deuce Vaughn, another undersized running back like Irving, continues to be a developmental project. Irving is a player who can provide value as both a runner and a passer out of the backfield.
Saturday at 10:30 PM in Washington, Arizona Â
Get a good look at the Washington Huskies’ high-flying offense against Arizona State in Saturday’s very late NCAA playoffs. Washington’s offense is one of the nation’s best, with Michael Penix Jr. at the steering wheel. However, he has a great supporting cast with explosive talent. Perhaps none more explosive than wide receiver Rome Odunze. Odunze’s ideal size is 6’3″, 215 pounds and he can play both outside and slot. He is currently fourth in the nation with 736 yards. Odunze can cover distance in space and has great speed to separate corners. The Cowboys could be looking at wide receiver this offseason and Odunze would be a great addition to the team.
Las Vegas Raiders at Chicago Bears Sunday 1:00 p.mÂ
In terms of on-field entertainment, this game could be better. Both teams’ starting quarterbacks likely won’t play. Justin Fields is out with a thumb injury and Jimmy Garoppolo is out Sunday. However, why this game is suffering (no pun intended) scrutiny is the status of Raiders receiver Davante Adams. Adams expressed his frustration with his current role on the team, saying:
“I’m sure people are thinking, ‘They won the game, why is that a problem?’ “I mean, you can understand why that’s a problem,” Adams said, via ESPN. , what I’m doing now. … if you’re a mental player like me, my benchmark isn’t wins and losses, it’s greatness. So when I go out, I hope to put it on tape and impact the game. That is the purpose of my being here. I’m not just here to hang out; I came here to win and do it right.
Another outing for Adams on Sunday, where he cheats a bit, could be the final straw. The Cowboys’ interest in Adams has yet to be announced, but there is reason to believe Dallas would be interested.
Head coach Mike McCarthy has a previous relationship with Adams from their time in Green Bay, when McCarthy coached the Packers and drafted Adams in 2014. Adding Adams would be a direct response to Michael Gallup, who has been inconsistent and struggled this season. regain their pre-injury shape. The Cowboys and Raiders are no strangers to dealing with each other. Last season, the Raiders traded defensive end Jonathan Hankins and a 2023 seventh-round draft pick to Dallas for a 2023 sixth-round pick.
Sunday at 4:25 p.m. Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos,Â
How to monitor the situation of Devante Adams, the reason to watch the Denver Broncos against the Green Bay Packers is to note players who are inactive or inactive in the game plan. To say the Denver Broncos have been disappointing since the arrival of Russell Wilson is an understatement. When Wilson joined the team, Denver was considered one of the best rosters in the league and ready to compete in the AFC. A year later, with Sean Payton at the helm, things are just as grim as they were last season.
The Broncos apparently realized this and began to part with their veterans. Former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Randy Gregory was suddenly released by the team a few weeks ago. Then, an hour before Thursday night’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs, the team declared Frank Clark inactive and released him last week. The Denver Broncos are not in a fire sale. They are basically a gift box where teams line up to get some of what was more expected from the roster.
The most popular names being discussed as trade targets are Jerry Jeudy and cornerback Patrick Surtain. Jeudy went a few spots ahead of CeeDee Lamb in the 2020 NFL Draft, and with a combination of inconsistent quarterbacking and injuries, Jeudy has disappointed. Jeudy has recently been in the news for his feud with NFL Network analyst Steve Smith.
However, it may be that Jeudy needs a fresh start somewhere else to fulfill the potential that several scouts have praised. Surtain is the more attractive piece for the Cowboys. He was selected to the Pro Bowl last season and was named All-Pro. The Cowboys could add another cornerback, especially one of Surtain’s caliber. Trevon Diggs was lost for the season and the team has no certainty with Stephon Gilmore after that season. If the Cowboys could get Surtain, it would greatly affect their chances of competing this season and beyond.
Miami Dolphins at Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at 8:20 p.mÂ
If nothing else, watch this game with a deep contempt for the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles are favored to win against the Miami Dolphins, but have shown themselves to be susceptible to the passing game, ranking near the bottom of the league in passing yards allowed per game. The Dolphins have great speed at wide receiver and running back, which turns the football into a running game. The Eagles are without cornerback Bradley Roby and Darius Slay is playing but struggling with a knee injury. As for Miami’s defense, it is fourth in the NFL with 66 quarterback pressures.
Meanwhile, the off-field pressure on Jalen Hurts outweighs the on-field pressure if he faces another turnover threat, as he did last week against the New York Jets. However, both teams can pick up plenty of points and these should be the marquee games of the weekend. Get your popcorn (and memes) ready when the Eagles lose to Miami on Sunday night.
