The Dallas Cowboys are three-touchdown favorites against the Miami Dolphins this Sunday, which is both an indication of how well the Cowboys have played along with how poorly the Dolphins have played.

Through two weeks, the Cowboys beat the Washington Redskins and New York Giants by a combined 28 points — fifth-best in the NFL. The Dolphins, on the other hand, lost to the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots by an absurd 92 points combined.

The Dolphins have been so bad, in fact, that they rank as the worst 0-2 team in defense-adjusted value over average (DVOA), per Football Outsiders' Aaron Schatz.

Despite Miami's historically dismal start, the Cowboys will still be wise to not overlook the tanking Dolphins. As Amari Cooper told reporters this week, "They're a professional football team with a whole bunch of good players."

The best teams in the NFL typically don't lay eggs versus overmatched teams. If the Cowboys want to prove they're a true Super Bowl contender and not a flash in the pan, they need to take care of business even when everyone expects them to do so.

Having said that, it's time to get bold and dive into a few predictions for Sunday's contest between the Cowboys-Dolphins.

Maliek Collins records two sacks in a dominant performance

Maliek Collins has had some of the tougher matchups in each of the Cowboys' first games of the season. Against the Giants, Collins was matched up with guards Will Hernandez and Kevin Zeitler, which is one of the best guard duos in the league. Against Washington, Collins was pitted against Brandon Scherff, who is one of the better interior linemen in the NFL, for a large portion of the game.

Against Miami, however, Collins will finally see a favorable matchup, as Miami's interior offensive line has struggled mightily this season. Miami's starting guards, Danny Isidora and Michael Deiter, have allowed 11 pressures combined in just two games.

Both players are all over the place technically, which should enable Collins to find success.

Maleik Collins TFL. Does a good job of back-dooring Scherff before getting vertical and accelerating into the backfield. Collins is so quick that it makes him tough to block on zone. #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/WGinmwQYBY — John Owning (@JohnOwning) September 16, 2019

Collins' quickness should lay the foundation for his success this Sunday, as he should be able to knife his way into the backfield, especially when Miami attempts to stretch Dallas' front with zone runs. Collins has shown a knack for backdooring zone blocks before getting vertical and disrupting in the backfield.

Gorgeous spin by Maliek Collins cause Brees to get rid of it early, leading to Jourdan Lewis' game-sealing INT. So clean. pic.twitter.com/NKL7lJhuGP — John Owning (@JohnOwning) December 1, 2018

Furthermore, Collins' quickness off the snap should open the door for his spin move — which may be Collins' best pass rush move. Look for Collins to sell speed off the snap to his right, as a means of widening the offensive lineman outside, before spinning back to his left (go back and watch Collins' spin moves, he almost always spins to his left), taking advantage of the vacated space from the initial widening.

Moreover, just as Miami's guards are susceptible to speed, they can also be beaten by power, which happens to be the area where Collins appears most improved this year.

Maliek Collins doesn't get enough credit for his power. Really nice long arm with a shot put escape to get the pressure and force a rushed throw. Times escape with 77 trying to knock down his long arm. With 77's momentum shifting outside, it gives free access to the inside edge. pic.twitter.com/Bki1QSDlbQ — John Owning (@JohnOwning) September 17, 2019

Going back to training camp, Collins has demonstrated notable power to complement his speed and quickness upfront. Though Collins is never going to be a pure power rusher, he possesses enough raw strength and explosiveness to take advantage of blockers who are selling out to stop his quickness.

Overall, Sunday should be a prosperous day for the Nebraska product, as he finally gets a favorable matchup where he can show off his improved skill set. Don't be surprised if Collins fills up the box score in a game where he puts together one of the best performances of his career.

Randall Cobb goes over 100 receiving yards

Through two weeks, Randall Cobb is the only member of Dallas' top trio of receivers to not record a 100-yard receiving game. Fret not, however, as Cobb gets a juicy matchup in a game where he should see more opportunities with Michael Gallup injured and out of the game.

Thus far this season, Cobb has been used mostly as an option in the short to intermediate portions of the field, as his average depth of target (aDot) is just 3.55 yards beyond the line of scrimmage, per Pro Football Focus. Nevertheless, Cobb has made the most of those targets with an average of 7.33 yards after the catch per reception.

Cobb's ability to navigate and elude defenders after the catch has come in handy for the Cowboys, as he's been able to find a way to pick up the first down when initially catching the ball short of the sticks.

Love these route combinations that Kellen Moore is using from bunch sets. Amari Cooper's over route creates a natural pick for Cobb's drive route underneath.



It creates an easy throwing window with enough space for Cobb to create some YAC to pick up the 1st. #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/xWEYFRE5Ep — John Owning (@JohnOwning) September 17, 2019

To their credit, the Cowboys do a great job of manufacturing space for Cobb at the catch point using rub routes, bunch formations and stack releases. This gives Cobb the space he needs to create and elude defenders in the open field. If Cobb was forced to reel in tight-window throws or contested catches, it would be much more difficult for him to generate yards-after-catch because of the confined space.

The Cowboys will also use jet sweeps to get the ball to Cobb in space in an effort to leverage his considerable ability in space.

This week, Cobb, given his matchup, should be able to find some success further downfield, as he will be pitted regularly against Miami slot cornerback Jomal Wiltz, who has had a rough start to the season.

Given that Baltimore, which Miami played Week 1, plays less 11 personnel (one RB, one TE and 3 WRs) than most teams, Wiltz has played only 54 snaps this season, which is considerably less than most team's slot cornerback. Still, in those snaps (only 38 of which were against the pass, per PFF), Witz has already given up five catches for 112 yards and two touchdowns.

Ughh. If this was blocked clean, Dak would have been able to find a wide-open Cobb up the seam. He was going there in his progression as soon as the pressure arrived. Missed opportunity. pic.twitter.com/bcmTSmIiP3 — John Owning (@JohnOwning) September 17, 2019

After being used primarily as a short-to-intermediate chain mover, don't be surprised if Cobb takes advantage of Wiltz sitting on the short stuff to generate a couple of big plays through the air for the Cowboys passing attack.

Given the matchup and the fact that Gallup's absence should mean more targets, Cobb is primed for a big day that includes joining Gallup and Amari Cooper in the 100-yard receiving club.

Tony Pollard scores first NFL TD

When/if the Cowboys generate a big lead in the second half, Tony Pollard is the player who should benefit most.

Since Ezekiel Elliott has returned from his holdout, Pollard has been used mostly as a complementary back, subbing in for Elliott when the team wants to give its bell cow a rest. If the game is close, that won't change Sunday. However, if the game isn't close, as everyone predicts, Pollard could see a good amount of usage if the team opts to pull some of its starters in the second half.

If that is the case, Pollard should be able to take advantage and score his first NFL touchdown.

It was tough sledding for Pollard in Week 1, as just one of his 13 carries went for more than five yards. In Week 2, however, Pollard had some room to operate, as two of his four runs went for over five yards (nine and 10 yards respectively).

Despite being a rookie who was a part-time receiver during his final year of college, Pollard displays impressive patience between the tackles before using his speed to quickly accelerate to the second level of the opposing defense. Furthermore, Pollard showcases admirable contact balance as well, which has enabled him to force three missed tackles so far - third among rookie RBs, per PFF.

Like everything else, the Dolphins struggle against the run, currently ranking 24th in run defense DVOA, per Football Outsiders. Miami struggles against the run because its LB unit is usually overmatched. Outside of Raekwon McMillan, the rest of Miami's LBs struggle with misdirection in the backfield, something the Cowboys use a lot, and getting off blocks -- a recipe for disaster against Dallas.

Expect Elliott to have a productive day when he's in the game; however, once Dallas puts the game out of reach for Miami, Pollard should notch the first of many touchdowns in his Cowboy career.

Enjoy this post? More film studies:

-- 3 things we learned from Cowboys-Redskins, including what Kellen Moore is taking advantage of

-- Inside Dak Prescott's Week 1 performance, from all the good to the (very) little bad

-- Breaking down a clever wrinkle that helped Cowboys' defense keep Giants in check

Twitter: @JohnOwning