Coming off a frustrating loss to the Minnesota Vikings, the Dallas Cowboys hope to get back on track against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

The Cowboys hold all the advantages on paper in this matchup, especially with Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford missing a second straight game with a back injury. But as we’ve seen this season, games aren’t played on paper and the Cowboys aren’t opposed to laying an egg against an inferior, non-divisional opponent. (Does the New York Jets game ring a bell?)

There’s no reason the Cowboys should take Detroit lightly, but there are a couple of favorable matchups that can lead Dallas to victory. So without further ado, let’s dive into a few mismatches the Cowboys can create to take advantage of the Lions at Ford Field on Sunday afternoon.

LDE DeMarcus Lawrence vs. RT Rick Wagner OR Tyrell Crosby

The biggest mismatch in favor of the Cowboys will be DeMarcus Lawrence against whoever lines up at right tackle for Detroit.

Rick Wagner is the usual starter, but he’s missed practice this week on account of a concussion, so there’s a chance Lawrence will see backup Tyrell Crosby.

The last time Lawrence faced Wagner (Week 4 of last season), it was a bloodbath, as Lawrence finished with three sacks to tie his career high in a dominant performance. Two of those sacks came directly against Wagner, and the third was a result of Lawrence beating the right guard after running a tackle/end stunt.

DeMarcus Lawrence vs Rick Wagner pic.twitter.com/qzHOsfJZcu — All22Hype (@All22Hype) November 14, 2019

Both of Lawrence’s sacks against Wagner came as a result of taking advantage of Wagner’s outside punch with a cross chop – Lawrence’s best move.

(insert evil villain laugh) DeMarcus Lawrence beats Lane Johnson was a superbly timed and executed euro cross chop. Once DLaw got LJ to react inside, it was over. #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/gr5f2jp5YN — John Owning (@JohnOwning) October 22, 2019

Wagner is an offensive tackle who is easily manipulated by an opposing defensive end’s footwork, which plays right into Lawrence’s hand. If Wagner gets out of concussion protocol and starts Sunday, expect Lawrence to regularly employ his euro-step entry into a cross chop to beat him on the edge. It’s the perfect way to get Wagner to stop his feet, making it easier for Lawrence to win on the outside rush track with a cross chop.

Lawrence has also built a nice set of counters off his euro-step cross chop to take advantage of offensive tackles sitting on the move, including an inside spin and a long arm shot-put to beat the offensive tackle inside.

If Crosby starts in place of Wagner, the mismatch remains the same – the only difference is Detroit may send more help Crosby’s way in the form of chip blocks, moving pockets and double-teams than they would Wagner.

When Lawrence is afforded a one-on-one matchup against Crosby, he should take advantage. Crosby has a tendency to set really wide in pass protection (see above), which not only puts himself on an island and makes it hard for the guard to provide help, but it also gives the pass rusher a two-way go – a cardinal sin against a pass rusher of Lawrence’s caliber.

Subtle footwork enables DLaw to get pressure with the inside move. Initially, Lawrence feints as if he's setting up his euro-step cross chop. Steps toward the mid-line of 61 then expands outside.



Watch how 61 hides his outside hand in anticipation of the cross chop... pic.twitter.com/exZ7DdRuFj — John Owning (@JohnOwning) September 24, 2019

If Crosby consistently sets wide against Lawrence, expect to see the Cowboys defensive end take advantage by generating a lot of pressure with inside moves.

Although the Lions don’t run the ball a lot, Lawrence’s advantage as a run defender may be even greater than as a pass rusher. Lawrence has been magnificent against the run in recent weeks, both as a backside pursuit defender and at the point of attack, which should continue against Detroit as both Crosby and Wagner struggle against the upper-echelon run defenders, which Lawrence definitely is.

Overall, this may be Lawrence’s best matchup of the year, facing a team that passes a lot and has inferior talent at right tackle. Lawrence will undoubtedly see a steady diet of chips and double-teams as he has almost every week, but given the frequency at which Detroit airs it out, he should see his fair share of one-on-one pass-rush opportunities, which could mean another dominant performance by the best player on the Cowboys’ defense.

Cowboys WRs vs. CB Justin Coleman

Detroit’s secondary isn’t anything special, but cornerback Justin Coleman, who mainly plays in the slot but will also slide outside when needed, is arguably the weakest link.

Coleman’s feast-or-famine style of play leads to him not only getting his hands on a lot of balls -- he currently ranks fourth in the NFL with eight pass breakups, according to Pro Football Focus -- but also allowing a lot of big plays -- tied for the most touchdowns allowed among defenders (six), according to PFF.

Because of this, teams are targeting Coleman much more frequently than any other Detroit defender. He has been targeted 71 times this season (7.88 targets per game), 19 more than any other Detroit defender. In nine games, Coleman has been targeted more often than any defender in the NFL except Logan Ryan, who has played in 10 games.

Tomorrow, in my Things We Learned post with @dmn_cowboys, I will be breaking down:



- Robert Quinn's 1st game as a Cowboy

- Kellen Moore's ability to scheme up scoring opportunities

- Amari Cooper turning Xavien Howard into burnt toast



Join me, friends. #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/rz8uak8n2u — John Owning (@JohnOwning) September 22, 2019

The Cowboys would be wise to fall in line with the rest of Detroit’s opponents and target Coleman at will. He tends to struggle most in off-coverage, when it’s difficult for him to create contact and disrupt routes.

Since Coleman spends the majority of his time in the slot, Randall Cobb will be the receiver pitted against him the most, but don’t be surprised if Dallas slides Amari Cooper or Michael Gallup into the slot to create an even bigger mismatch.

Beautiful route by Amari Cooper. Does a great job winning separation at the top of his route. Once Cooper got Baker's hips pointed toward the middle of the field, it was O-V-E-R. #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/qq9ysacpXl — John Owning (@JohnOwning) November 5, 2019

Cooper, in particular, is a terrible matchup for Coleman, as his size, speed and route-running ability would be difficult for Coleman to handle. When aligned in the slot, the Cowboys love to utilize Cooper on out routes (above clip is a variation called the blaze out), drags and slants – all routes that should have success against Coleman.

Gallup, on the other hand, is a better matchup against Coleman after the catch, as Coleman’s poor tackling (six missed tackles; third most on Detroit) could enable Gallup to create a lot of YAC (yards after catch) if the two get matched up. Gallup currently ranks eighth among receivers in avoided tackles (seven), showing impressive strength to run through arm tackles.

All in all, don’t be surprised if the Cowboys look to pick on Coleman throughout Sunday’s contest.

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