Cowboys Vs. Jets: Dak, Micah & McCarthy Agree on No. 1 Priority

The Dallas Cowboys will look to repeat their performance of creating turnovers and hurrying the quarterback against the New York Jets on Sunday.

If the Dallas Cowboys took anything from their Week 1 massacre, it’s that turnovers and an effective pass rush can turn a game upside down. Repeating Dallas’ 40-0 performance at the Giants - or even coming close to that - starts with another stellar outing from the defensive line. 

Bringing pressure, and preventing it on offense, is the quickest way to get to 2-0. … as Dak Prescott, Micah Parsons and coach Mike McCarthy are all preaching this week.

Said offensive leader Dak, talking Jets and citing "how great this defense is. Watch the way that they won that game (22-16 in OT over the Bills) the other night. They’ve got our respect.''

Echoed defensive leader Micah: "You love it because now it's a battle of the defense, and usually people are like, 'Who's going to score the most.' Nah, (it's) who's going to keep the (the opponent to the) least amount of points. And those are the types of games we love."

The Cowboys will host the New York Jets on Sunday. New York will be starting quarterback Zach Wilson, and if Monday night was any indication, he won’t be slinging the ball around the yard. ... helping make this, as Micah predicts, a "battle of the defense.''

Against a pass rush as dangerous as Dallas’, Wilson will likely be handing the ball off as frequently as he’s dropping back to pass. Getting into dangerous third-and-forevers is asking for turnovers to happen.

McCarthy spoke on Thursday about the importance of ball security in a league with so many lethal pass rushers.

“The priority to protect [the football] is No. 1,” McCarthy said. “We just played in a game where the turnover ratio was probably going to directly, clearly affect the outcome of the game.”

Last week, Dallas racked up seven sacks and three game-changing turnovers. Sure, the heavy rain played a factor, but this Cowboys defense is going to hunt mediocre quarterbacks for sport.

“You have to take that approach not only in bad weather but when you play these defensive lines we’re seeing in today’s game,” McCarthy added. “I don’t know if I’ve seen this much talent at the position. I think it’s at an all-time high … You have to protect the ball against these defenses.”

Assuming New York brings the same intensity it did in that 22-16 win on Monday, its defensive line will be a difference-maker. Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams is a superstar in every sense of the word and there may not be a deeper edge rushing group in the league. Against a banged up offensive line, quarterback Prescott will be in for a longer day than Week 1 had in store.

Thankfully for the Cowboys, who do happen to be 9.5-point favorites in the wake of Rodgers' absence, they are familiar with facing a talented pass rush.

“We’re fortunate we get to practice against that style of defense each and every day,” McCarthy said.

New York needs to create turnovers to keep games close. Playing smart and keeping Prescott upright will be vital on Sunday. ... while the defenses "battle'' to determine the winner.