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NFL Week 5: One offense & one defense to watch
The NFL heads to October with four games in the books for all 32 teams. The first round of byes is here with the Falcons, Bears, Packers and Steelers all off this week.
Thursday Night Football stays in the NFC West in Week 5, as the 49ers head south to face the Rams. These are DAZN News’ offense and defense to watch this week.
Offense: Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are throwing at the second-highest rate in the NFL (64.8%) and lead the league in total yardage per game (404.3). Despite the volume, they are sixth in passing efficiency.
Dak Prescott leads the NFL in attempts, and has the third-highest completion rate at 72.9%. Most impressively, Prescott is producing under fire; the Cowboys are 11th in quarterback pressures allowed (55).
This type of volume and accuracy is required with what the Cowboys are allowing defensively - they would be lost without their franchise quarterback. Prescott threw three touchdowns and no interceptions against an excellent Packers defense last week, while missing his top receiver.
Dallas impressed on Sunday night without CeeDee Lamb. The Cowboys logged 319 yards through the air, with George Pickens displaying his talent going deep. Pickens finished with 134 yards and two touchdowns on 16.8 yards per catch.
Sam Hodde/Getty Images
The contributions from Jalen Tolbert, KaVonte Turpin and Jake Ferguson showed the depth of this group.
Lamb is expected to be out at least another two weeks. When he returns, with this level of play from Pickens and Prescott, Dallas will be lethal throwing the football.
The Cowboys are fourth in yards per carry (6.2), thanks to Javonte Williams. Williams is seventh overall in rushing yardage (312), and tied for second in rushing touchdowns (4).
This season has been a resurrection for Williams, who has battled injuries throughout his career. He is holding up well, averaging over three yards after contact per attempt. He is a good complement to this Dallas scheme, with 17 targets out of the backfield.
The Cowboys face the 0-4 Jets in Week 5.
Defense: Seattle Seahawks
Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images
Mike Macdonald is showing his defensive expertise in Seattle. The Seahawks are third in points per game allowed (16.8), and playing ferociously up front.
Seattle is scaring teams from running the ball. The Seahawks allow only 89.8 rushing yards per game, on a slim 3.6 yards per attempt.
DeMarcus Lawrence, Jarran Reed, Derrick Hall and Byron Murphy are all yet to miss a tackle in the run game. This group, along with linebackers Ernest Jones and Tyrice Knight, doesn’t allow backs to break loose.
The Seahawks are second in the NFL in yards after contact per attempt and have allowed a league-low four explosive runs.
This effort on the ground is forcing opponents to throw on nearly 62% of plays. However, the Seahawks’ pass rush is every bit as effective as its run defense.
Seattle ranks third in quarterback pressures (67), with 12 sacks. The Seahawks are very quick collectively off the ball, with the defensive line rushing the passer without assistance. Seattle is the second-lowest blitzing team in the league.
Byron Murphy made considerable progress this offseason. The second-year tackle has three sacks across the first four games after recording only one as a rookie. His 10 quarterback hurries lead the Seahawks’ defensive front.
Behind all of this is a secondary allowing only 5.1 yards per attempt. Newcomer Derion Kendrick, Josh Jobe and veteran Julian Love are off to great starts on the back end.
Interestingly enough, Pro Bowl corner Devon Witherspoon has struggled in the early going. Once he naturally returns to form, it will be even more difficult to throw on the Seahawks.
This defense has allowed six total touchdowns, the second-best mark in the NFL, and all have come through the air.
Week 5 is a good appraisal for the Seahawks’ defense against Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers.
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