Cowboys Lamb, Dallas 'D' Among 3 to Watch vs. Jets

As the Dallas Cowboys prepare to take on the New York Jets in Week 2 of the 2023 season, CowboysSI.com highlights three players on whom Dallas’ fans might want to keep watch.

Following their dominant 40-0 victory over the New York Giants in Week 1, the Dallas Cowboys are looking to stay in the "New York groove" by hosting the New York Jets for a 3:25 p.m. CT kickoff from AT&T Stadium.  move to 3-1 on the 2022 NFL season as they prepare to face off against their division rivals.

The Jets enter this contest at a surprising 1-0, after a 22-16 win over the Buffalo Bills — a game in which they have likely lost the services of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, due to an Achillies tear. 

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 Jets.

CeeDee Lamb

While most defensive backs would be satisfied with holding a talented stable of Bills pass-catchers to five completed passes for 62 yards when he was targeted last week, Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner believes that he and Gang Green's defense is capable of much more. 

In fact, Gardner is intent on besting his efforts against the Cowboys on Sunday. Still, taking such a stand is inherently risky, considering that Gardner is expected to draw the unenviable task of covering Dallas' top receiver CeeDee Lamb. The 24-year-old caught four passes for 77 yards in the Cowboys’ blowout win over the Giants. However, he truly showcased his game-breaking ability on an explosive 49-yard play on Dallas’ first drive. 

Though Gardner will present a tedious challenge, Lamb will enter this contest well-rested and eager for Cowboys' quarterback Dak Prescott to "test his abilities" against a talented Jets secondary. … with injured Brandin Cooks unavailable as his sidekick.

Trevon Diggs

With Rodgers on the shelf for the foreseeable future, the Jets have turned the ball back over to former first-round pick Zach Wilson. Unfortunately, for the Jets, Wilson's tenure under center has far too often featured the words "turn" and "over." 

The ex-BYU standout has thrown 19 interceptions in 22 games since the Jets selected him with the second pick of the 2021 draft — including one last week against the Bills. 

Despite taking a bit of a statistical dip last season from his All-Pro, 11-interception performance in 2021, Diggs is still one of the NFL's best ball-hawking cornerbacks. If Dallas' fearsome defensive front can force Wilson into his habit of telegraphing his passes, Diggs should be in prime position to take advantage. 

Micah Parsons

Parsons once again projects as the premier defensive threat in the NFL. The 24-year-old logged three tackles and a sack against the Giants in Week 1. Against the Jets, the Penn State product will be charged with disrupting the rhythm of Wilson, who has been sacked 69 times since joining the Jets in 2021. 

As a result, New York’s offensive line is expected to double-team at the line of scrimmage. While they may be able to theoretically slow his production by doing so, Parsons’ occupying at least two offensive blockers on each play may allow several of Dallas’ other defenders the freedom to make plays. When the Jets do not deploy the double-team — or perhaps the triple-team — Parsons is likely to make both Wilson and New York's offensive line pay the price.