Get To Know Your Foe (Week 3): Dallas Cowboys

Sep 22, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys receiver Miles Austin (19) is tackled by St. Louis Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins (21) after a catch in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

On Sunday, the St. Louis Rams will head into their third regular season game against the Dallas Cowboys (1-1). To get some inside information on Cowboys’ camp, we went behind enemy lines and spoke with Steven Mullenax, editor over at The Landry Hat, the Dallas Cowboys site within the FanSided Network. To get some deeper insight on the opponent, here are Ramblin’ Fan’s five quick questions…

1. DeMarco Murray has built a career taking advantage of the St. Louis Rams over the past couple of years. Will he replicate those performances on Sunday?

I don’t see a reason why not. The NFL’s current leading rusher has always played his best against the Rams. During his rookie season, Murray rushed for 253 yards against St. Louis, which included a 91-yard touchdown at Cowboys Stadium in 2011. Two years later, Murray posted a 175-yard performance in a 31-7 blowout win against Rams. The only difference between those matches and this Sunday’s game is home field advantage. But the one thing that seems to translate well regardless of location is the running game. And Murray is running behind the most talented offensive line he’s ever had. Expect another big day from him.

2. Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys offense did not fair well in their last shot at an NFC West defense. What, if anything, have they done since that loss to the 49ers to ameliorate that problem?

It hard to say the Cowboys have made any concrete changes after only two weeks, but it appears the coaching staff is committed to running the ball more. Against the Tennessee Titans, Dallas ran the ball a whopping 43 times. And why not, since the Cowboys have invested three recent first round draft picks into their offensive line. But this change in offensive philosophy is also in-part to take the pressure off of Romo, who is obviously struggling with his back following his surgery in December.

3. Name one unknown Cowboys’ player who will surprise Rams fans on Sunday?

I’ll have to go with cornerback Sterling Moore. Moore has played as Dallas’ slot corner the first two games due to the absence of Orlando Scandrick due to suspension. With Scandrick expected back this Sunday, rumors are Moore might remain the Cowboys top choice at that position. Essentially making the Cowboys 2012 first round pick, cornerback Morris Claiborne, fourth on their depth chart. So far this season, Moore has recorded nine total tackles, two passes defended and one forced fumble.

4. What do you consider the Cowboys biggest weakness and why?

If I had to choose one, it would be the lack of pass rush. With projected starters defensive ends Anthony Spencer and DeMarcus Lawrence out due to injuries, the Cowboys defensive line has struggled to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Due to that lack of urgency, our defensive backfield has suffered simply because they have to cover for a longer amount of time. For this Rod Marinelli-led defense to really shine, it will need to get more pressure up front then they do right now.

5. What is your prediction for the Cowboys vs. Rams matchup?

The Cowboys new offensive strategy, “less Romo and more DeMarco”, will serve them well heading into St. Louis to play the Rams on Sunday. Dallas will bring the NFL’s leading rusher, DeMarco Murray, into the Edward Jones Dome to face a Rams’ defense currently ranked 30th against the run. And if this Cowboys defense is as good as we all think they might be, they should have no problem handling an offense scrambling to find it’s way following a season-ending ACL injury suffered by their starting quarterback, Sam Bradford, late last month. For those non-believers out there, yes. This is a classic trap game scenario. Dallas Cowboys 27, St. Louis Rams 13.