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This Sunday sees one of the best matchups in the NFL this season, as the Kansas City Chiefs play host to the Dallas Cowboys.
The suddenly resurgent Chiefs have won three straight games, and have gone from last to first in the AFC West in the matter of two weeks. Meanwhile, America's team bounced back in a strong way last week following their embarrassing home loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 9.
For more insight on the Cowboys' Week 11 matchup against the Chiefs, listen below:
That sets up this marquis matchup between two of the teams ranked among the best in the NFL's Power Rankings…
Where does your team rank in @DanHanzus' Week 11 Power Rankings? (via @Energizer) pic.twitter.com/AYXzByUznh
— NFL (@NFL) November 17, 2021
On paper, this should be a shootout and an incredibly close football game. However, I do not believe that's what we are going to see. Below are four reasons why that will not come to fruition.
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Cowboys Week 11 Predictions
4. Tony Pollard with have over 80 yards from scrimmage and score 2 TD's
Cowboys backup running back Tony Pollard has looked really good this year. The only reason most people still don't know much about him is because of how good Ezekiel Elliot has also been. This week at Kansas City, expect a heavy dose of the Dallas ground game.
Patrick Mahomes finally looked like himself this past week in a blowout win over the Las Vegas Raiders. I am sure Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy noticed. The best way to keep Mahomes from doing it again, keep him on the sideline.
Elliot will only be able to run the ball so many times. Pollard has received double digit carries in six of nine games this season, and I would expect that again. He has also shown a propensity for catching passes out of the backfield, with three of more catches in five games this season. That includes six catches last week for 56 yards.
The Chiefs secondary has looked improved in recent weeks, providing even more reason for Dallas to run the ball.
3. The Cowboys defense will cause Patrick Mahomes to fumble twice
Everyone knows how explosive the Chiefs offense is. In particular, when Patrick Mahomes scrambles outside of the pocket. However, we have seen this year that when he presses, he can make mistakes.
I expect the Cowboys to dominate the time of possession in this game, and in turn, lead for the majority of it. That will put Mahomes in a tight spot where he feels he will need to make miracles happen again. One time, he will be running for a first down or a big gain after escaping pressure, but will fumble the ball away.
I think we will see another instance of this, but this time inside the pocket. Mahomes at times might feel he needs to hold onto the ball to let his receivers get downfield. The Cowboys have been inconsistent when applying pressure, but when they do, they can force turnovers.
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RT if you believe in @TrevonDiggs!#ATLvsDAL | #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/cO13kNDgUR
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) November 14, 2021
Trevon Diggs for instance leads the NFL with eight interceptions already this season. That is three more than anyone in the NFL.
2. Dak Prescott will throw one or fewer touchdown passes
With the Cowboys leaning so heavily on the ground game, it stands to reason they might not throw the ball very much. Prescott will be efficient, as he normally is. He will hit some deep shots, like he normally does. But when the Cowboys get inside the red zone, they will finish their drives on the ground.
1. The Cowboys will win by two touchdowns or more
At first glance, Kansas City looks like they are clicking on all cylinders. They have won three straight. Their defense has been playing much better of late. They dropped 40 plus on the Raiders last week. But when you look deeper, you will find some holes in that theory.
Prior to that win vs Las Vegas, the Chiefs still did not look like good. They barely beat the New York Giants in a prime time game. Then they struggled to put away Jordan Love and the Packers.
When Aaron Rodgers sees Jordan Love at the Packers facility pic.twitter.com/MpZIT7ibBp
— Blake Garman (@FrostedBlakes34) November 10, 2021
We all know how that looked for Green Bay.
On the flip side, Dallas has looked like a true Super Bowl contender all year outside their random flop against the Broncos. They then went out and showed why it was a random anomaly by trouncing the Atlanta Falcons 43-3.
The Cowboys have one of the best, most efficient offenses in football. They run the ball extremely well and Dak Prescott has a stable of weapons to get the ball to. Their defense is opportunistic, and creates a ton of turnovers. Even their special teams has played well.
For years I have been the first one to line up and say that I don't trust the Cowboys. They will just blow it at some point this season. But this team is different. I expect to show that Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.
