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The Dallas Cowboys are coming off a Week 1 full of ups and downs. The ups are mainly just moral victories after playing well enough to win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but ultimately Tom Brady stole the game. The downs are much more extreme, of course starting with the loss to Tampa. In this specific post, we're doing our Cowboys Week 2 predictions for their upcoming game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
After the loss and just a few days ago now they've lost star defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence for the foreseeable future. Can Dak Prescott and the remaining star players step up enough to carry this Cowboys team to victory in Week 2?
Cowboys Week 2 Predictions
4. Micah Parsons shows why he was taken 12th overall
Whether it's fair or not, a lot of the heavy lifting for this Cowboys defense will fall upon the shoulders of their first round pick Micah Parsons. Parsons was thought to be one of the top two or three defenders in this class but some off the field issues kept him from being drafted higher. The talent is absolutely there and when he puts it all together Parsons will be one of the most dangerous linebackers in the NFL. Suddenly the Cowboys need that transition to the NFL to go much quicker than originally anticipated.
Parsons has the skill to do whatever is needed but expect him to play a big role in whether or not the Cowboys pass rush can disrupt Justin Herbert. Parsons should spend significant time coming off the edge whether it be on a regular pass rush or a blitz so if he can have a good game then the Cowboys will be much better off. He may also be tasked with helping slow down star running back Austin Ekeler, a running back who is an equal threat through the air and running the ball. Expect a big sack or turnover from Parsons.
3. CeeDee Lamb will tally 10+ catches, 100+ yards, and 2+ touchdowns
Both of the Cowboys star wide receivers went absolutely wild in the Week 1 matchup versus the Buccaneers and expect at least one of them to do it again. In Week 1, Amari Cooper caught 13 of 17 targets for 139 yards and two touchdowns. Lamb caught seven of 15 targets for 104 yards and a touchdown on the other side of Cooper. The secondary that will be thrown at Dallas in Week 2 will be better and it will contain safety Derwin James, one of the best coverage safeties in the league. James could switch between Cooper and Lamb but expect him to help cover Cooper for the most part.
If Derwin James is focused on containing Amari Cooper then that should leave Lamb to feast while being Dak Prescott's number one target in this game. Lamb seems to be underrated like most second year wide receivers after what Justin Jefferson did last season. It's hard for anyone to get their deserved recognition while Jefferson was doing that, but Lamb still caught 74 passes for 935 yards and five touchdowns last season, Certainly not a bad rookie season and he looks poised to take a hug leap in year two, especially after Week 1.
2. DeMarcus Lawrence's absence will be worse than expected
Micah Parsons will do his best to help this weakened defensive line step up without star pass rusher DeMarcus Lawrence, but he won't be able to do enough. Although Lawrence may not rack up sacks like the best pass rushers in the league, his impact for this defense is unmatched. He's the stabilizing force to a defense that is trying to build it's way up and his loss is certainly going to be felt. The Cowboys don't have time to bring in any sort of replacement for the impact Lawrence brought, so it'll be up to internal replacements.
Aside from Micah Parsons, the Cowboys hope to have to have Randy Gregory but it seems unlikely with him on the COVID list for the time being. After him, Dallas will be relying on Dorance Armstrong Jr, a longtime backup in Dallas who has just 2.5 sacks in his career while entering his fifth year. He isn't a solution to Lawrence going down by any means. Aside from Parsons and Armstrong, the other player to keep an eye on is fourth round pass rusher Jabril Cox. Dallas has been impressed with the production with Cox since drafting him so this wouldn't be a surprise. No matter who goes out there, it won't be nearly as effective as having DeMarcus Lawrence.
1. The Cowboys win the game and the over for points is hit
This game will be about which team has more offensive firepower consistently through four quarters. Neither defense will be able to successfully slow down the opposing offense and that should make for a very exciting game. Expect Dak Prescott to lead Dallas to a statement win over Los Angeles. This offense showed what it's capable of in Week 1 vs the Buccaneers and while losing defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence will hurt a ton, the offense will be able to overcome that in the end.
Dak Prescott is now being paid among the most for any quarterback in the entire league and he needs to show why. He'll be going drive for drive with second year quarterback Justin Herbert in a game that has all the makings to be an exciting shootout between two great offensive teams. If Dak Prescott can get rolling with CeeDee Lamb or Amari Cooper able to be a clear number one target then watch out.
Agree or disagree with our Dallas Cowboys Week 2 predictions ahead of their game against the Los Angeles Chargers?
