NFL Game of the Week: Cowboys at Rams

Story posted October 5, 2022 in CommRadio, Sports by Jonathan Hartley

The 3-1 Dallas Cowboys travel to Los Angeles this week to take on the 2-2 Rams at Sofi Stadium. This game features two quarterbacks that carry intriguing storylines into this Week 5 matchup.

The Cowboys are coming off a 25-10 win against the Washington Commanders last week, as Cooper Rush improved to 4-0 in his career as a starter. After quarterback Dak Prescott injured his thumb on his throwing hand in the Cowboys’ Week 1 loss, Rush took over the offense and has them moving quite well.

After scoring just three points under Prescott in Week 1, the Cowboys' offense has scored 20 or more points in each of their last three games. This has ignited debates amongst fans that Rush should remain the starter even after Prescott is ready to come back, and owner and general manager Jerry Jones even said he wouldn’t mind a quarterback competition.

As the Rams started training camp, there was talk about quarterback Matt Stafford’s elbow, as he sat out a few practices, and was limited when he returned due to pain in his throwing elbow. The talk has only intensified, as the Rams sit at 2-2 and the offense hasn’t looked remotely close to what it did last year.

After tying with Trevor Lawrence last year for the most interceptions in the league, Stafford leads the league in interceptions again with six through just four weeks. Stafford’s sloppy play has hurt the Rams and is a big reason why the offense has struggled this season.

Both quarterbacks look to make a statement this week. Stafford looks to get the offense back on track and prove he can overcome his early struggles. Rush looks to improve his record as a starter to 5-0 and prove he should be a full-time starting quarterback in the NFL.

For the Cowboys to come out of this matchup victorious, they will need to lean on Rush and the passing game. The Rams run defense has been one of the best in the league the last few years and is off to another strong start this season. Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott hasn’t started too hot either, as he hasn’t rushed for over 75 yards once this season.

Rush will also have to spread the ball around to all his targets, as his top receiver CeeDee Lamb will likely be covered by one of the best cornerbacks in the league Jalen Ramsey most of the game.

If the Rams emerge from this matchup with the victory Sunday, it will be because Stafford played a clean game and got the offense back on track.

Like the Rams, the Cowboys have a strong front seven that knows how to stop the run. On top of that, the Rams have struggled to establish their run game this season, and that doesn’t look like it will change this week.

Stafford and the Rams should be looking to pass often, and Stafford will also have to spread the ball around, as star receiver Cooper Kupp will likely be double-covered often and draw coverage from Trevon Diggs, one of the biggest ball hawking cornerbacks in the league.

Overall, this game should turn out to be a great one. The Cowboys look to keep up with the 4-0 Eagles in the NFC East race, and the Rams look to bounce back from a tough loss to their division-rival 49ers on Monday night.

With the reigning Super Bowl champions playing with a chip on their shoulder after a tough start, they should prove they’re still a threat to repeat this season and Cooper Rush should fall to 4-1 as a starting quarterback.

Jonathan Hartley is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jdh6293@psu.edu.