Cowboys vs. Jets: Brandin Cooks, Tyler Smith OUT - Week 2 Preview

With Aaron Rodgers out for the season, the Dallas defense looks to get after 24-year-old quarterback Zach Wilson.

ARLINGTON - In their 2023 home opener, the Dallas Cowboys host the New York Jets on Sunday afternoon at rambunctious AT&T Stadium in a matchup between two teams fresh off thrilling wins in New York.

The Cowboys thrashed NFC East division for New York Giants, 40-0, in an outstanding start to the season. The shutout was highlighted by a league-high seven sacks and five forced fumbles. 

“I think we’re making a statement that we’ve been trying to make: We’re the best defense in the National Football League,” said Cowboys star Micah Parsons.

But Dallas does have a few injury concerns, as Brandin Cooks and Tyler Smith are not playing, having been on the DNP list all week.

Meanwhile, In a shocking Week 1 Monday Night game, the Jets beat the Buffalo Bills 22-16 in overtime... without four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles tear on his fourth play as a Jet. 

The Dallas defense looks to get after 24-year-old quarterback Zach Wilson. Wilson and the Jets offense will look to reset without star Rodgers on a short week. Wilson completed 14-of-21 passes with one touchdown and one interception in the win against the Bills, which was capped with a game-winning punt return by Dallas' own Xavier Gipson.

Coach/play caller Mike McCarthy and quarterback Dak Prescott look to build on a solid offensive perfomance in Week 1. Dallas outgained the Giants, 265 yards to 171. Prescott totaled 143 passing yards, didn’t turn the ball over or get sacked. 

Prescott has a chance to throw his first touchdown of the season on Sunday and get close to a major milestone. With a touchdown against the Jets, Prescott will have a passing touchdown against 30 of the 31 teams. The final team to get a passing TD against would be the LA Chargers, who Dallas plays in Week 6.

The hopefully healthy 2023 Dallas squad hopes to improve on a 12-5 campaign of a year ago and usurp the Philadelphia Eagles as NFC East Division champions.

FUN FACT: With a win on Sunday, Prescott (62) will move past Danny White (62) for sole possession of fourth in all-time wins among Cowboys quarterbacks.

RECORDS: Dallas Cowboys (1-0) vs. New York Jets (1-0)

ODDS: Dallas is a 7.5-point favorite vs. the Jets.

GAME TIME: Sunday, September 17, 2023 at 3:25 p.m. CT

LOCATION: AT&T Stadium - Arlington, Texas

TV/RADIO: CBS, 105.3 The Fan

THE FINAL WORD: Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on Prescott:

"He's the best leader I've ever seen at that position," Jones said during his weekly radio appearance on 105.3 The Fan. "We've had (Troy) Aikman, and Tony (Romo) and they were both good leaders. But Dak is so sound in his psyche, and he relies on his preparation better than anybody I've ever been around."

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