Dallas Cowboys Jake Ferguson Among '3 to Watch' at Los Angeles Chargers
The Dallas Cowboys are looking to return to the win column as they prepare for their Week 6 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Kickoff is set for 7:15 p.m. CT on Monday night from SoFi Stadium.
After dominating the New England Patriots in Week 4, Dallas turned in a surprisingly lackluster performance in their 42-10 defeat at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers last week. Conversely, the Chargers (2-2) enter this contest well-rested from their Week 5 bye, having won their previous two matchups against the Minnesota Vikings and the Las Vegas Raiders, respectively.
Though many of Dallas’ most notables are expected to garner some attention during this upcoming matchup, here are three players that might raise an eyebrow when the Cowboys take the field against the Chargers.
Tony Pollard
Despite some concerns over an injured shoulder earlier in the week, Pollard is expected to be healthy enough to for a full workload on Monday night. Through Dallas’ first five games, the 26-year-old has compiled 340 yards and two touchdowns on 81 carries; averaging a respectable 4.3 yards per carry. Still, the Chargers have been solid while defending the run, which may limit Pollard’s effectiveness on the ground.
Fortunately for the Cowboys, he is one of the NFL’s best receiving backs, having logged 19 catches for 96 yards this season. Los Angeles is allowing the fifth-most receiving yards to running backs, with their most recent game being where the Raiders’ Josh Jacobs caught eight passes for 81 yards. Accordingly, look for Pollard to be deployed as a backfield receiver for much of the night.
Dallas Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson
Jake Ferguson
In addition to their troubles with defending pass-catching running backs, the Chargers defense is susceptible to short-yardage gains from opposing tight ends. Ferguson caught all three of his targets for 28 yards in last Sunday’s loss to the 49ers, even as the entire unit struggled to move the ball against San Francisco's defense. The Wisconsin product should find ample room over the middle to help quarterback Dak Prescott — for whom Ferguson recently said he would “run through a brick wall” — advance the ball.
Ferguson is particularly effective on third down, where he has earned seven catches for 71 yards, one touchdown and four first-down conversions. Therefore, he may either draw a double team (thus taking another defender out of play) or be left one-on-one as a reliable pass-catching option for Dallas’ offense.
The "squeaky wheel'' this week is CeeDee Lamb, who took issue in last week's 42-10 loss at San Francisco with his lack of participation. Dallas will surely force the ball to Lamb in an effort to balance (pacify?) things. But the Cowboys need to make sure to also play strength vs. weakness here. And Ferguson can help.
Jayron Kearse and Co.
Having been given a “99 percent” probability for suiting up on Monday, the Cowboys’ defense will have the unenviable task of defending versatile Chargers running back Austin Ekeler.
The Bolts’ veteran back suffered a high-ankle sprain in their opening week loss to the Miami Dolphins — a game in which Ekeler carried the ball 16 times for 117 yards and one touchdown. Though he may still need to shed some initial field rust due to his missed time, Ekeler is still a force, which will require Dallas focus. Given his abilities as a dual-threat receiver, the Cowboys would be smart to pair him with a legitimate cover defender.
Because the Chargers lead running back can be a mismatch in space, the best option may be Kearse at the strong safety position. Kearse is coming off a subpar performance in last week's loss at San Francisco. Still, his tenacious style of defense is well-suited to help disrupt Ekeler’s rhythm. It is also conducive to assistance from one of Dallas’ reserve safeties or a mobile reserve linebacker. ... though the Cowboys are a bit thin on the latter at the moment.
