Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys do not get to call this a favorable matchup without acknowledging why their opponent might feel the same way. The Indianapolis Colts have lost four straight games. Dallas has a defense capable of helping them end that streak.
Sunday’s meeting at Lucas Oil Stadium brings together two struggling teams with different problems and little room to ignore them. The Cowboys enter at 3–5, while Indianapolis sits at 2–6.
Dallas needs a response after letting Arizona escape with an overtime victory. Getting one will require handling Jonathan Taylor, protecting Dak Prescott, and making better decisions when possessions become difficult.
Can Dallas Cowboys Stop Another Collapse Against Indianapolis Colts in Week 9?
Jonathan Taylor Gets the Matchup Dallas Should Fear
The clearest concern starts on the ground. Dallas allows a league-worst 152.8 rushing yards per game. Taylor arrives with 610 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, giving Indianapolis an established threat against a defense that has repeatedly struggled to finish tackles.
Taylor has five games with at least 90 rushing yards this season but has yet to reach 100. Dallas has little reason to feel comfortable about keeping that streak intact. Christian Parker needs his front to hold its gaps and his linebackers to arrive under control. Chasing a highlight behind the line accomplishes little if it opens the lane Taylor needs.
Quinnen Williams can disrupt the blocking before Taylor gets moving. Behind him, Shemar James and Dee Winters must finish the opportunities the front creates. Dallas cannot keep asking its safeties to rescue plays that should have ended several yards earlier.
Make Daniel Jones Carry the Offense
Shane Steichen is sticking with Daniel Jones after replacing him late in Indianapolis’ 42–7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jones enters Sunday with five touchdown passes and nine interceptions.
Dallas should make him earn a turnaround.
Under pressure this season, Jones has completed 47.6% of his passes, with one touchdown and six interceptions. The opportunity is there, particularly for Williams inside and Donovan Ezeiruaku off the edge. However, pressure only becomes useful when Dallas creates passing situations. Letting Taylor turn first down into second-and-short would allow Indianapolis to keep its entire playbook available.
The same discipline applies on third down; Dallas cannot rush past Jones, leave an easy outlet uncovered, or surrender a first down after contact. Winning early in a possession means little if the defense cannot finish it.
CeeDee Lamb Faces More Than a Struggling Team
Indianapolis’ record does not make its secondary an easy assignment.
Sauce Gardner leads qualifying cornerbacks in forced incompletion rate at 28.6%, while Charvarius Ward ranks ninth at 19.4%. Simply lining up outside and expecting Dallas’ receivers to win every matchup would put too much faith in individual talent.
Brian Schottenheimer should move CeeDee Lamb across the formation, use motion to help Prescott identify coverage, and create opportunities that do not depend on a difficult contested catch.
George Pickens’ availability complicates that plan. Pickens is questionable with a hamstring injury, while Jake Ferguson and Luke Schoonmaker are also questionable.
Ryan Flournoy could become particularly important if Dallas has to manage Pickens’ workload. Prescott needs dependable answers underneath as well as chances downfield.
The Running Game Needs Production, Not a Quota
Dallas cannot confuse calling runs with establishing a running game. The Cowboys gained 93 rushing yards on 39 attempts against the Arizona Cardinals. That total included Prescott’s scrambles, but the larger issue was clear: too many possessions became difficult before the passing game had a chance to help.
Javonte Williams should remain involved. Schottenheimer also needs to recognize when the blocking is failing and change the approach.
Indianapolis has traded away defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, creating a different challenge inside. Dallas must exploit openings without assuming every first down requires a handoff. Quick throws, play-action, and runs should work together. The objective is to keep the offense moving, not produce a balanced-looking play count.
Dallas Gets Safety Help But Questions Remain
Caleb Downs and P.J. Locke cleared concussion protocol Friday, giving Dallas welcome continuity in the secondary.
That should help against a receiving group featuring Keenan Allen, Josh Downs, and tight end Tyler Warren. Caleb’s matchup with his brother adds a personal storyline, but Dallas needs coordinated coverage more than a memorable family moment.
Joey Porter Jr. and DeMarvion Overshown remain questionable, while KaVontae Turpin and Malachi Lawrence are out. Parker must prepare assignments that work with whoever is available rather than count on every injured starter returning at full strength.
The Last Word
Dallas has enough offensive talent to win in Indianapolis. It also has defensive weaknesses that give the Colts a straightforward route to making Sunday uncomfortable. Taylor is the first problem. If Dallas limits him, Jones will have to handle more obvious passing situations. On offense, Prescott needs protection and a game plan that adjusts before another series disappears.
Schottenheimer does not need another afternoon that looks promising until the closing possessions. He needs a complete performance. Against a struggling opponent, the Cowboys have an opportunity to regain ground. Their own recent play is the strongest warning against assuming they will take it.
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Main Photo Courtesy of Jerome Miron – Imagn Images