Gang Green Nation
The Jets will be seeking their first win of the Aaron Glenn era at home on Sunday against the 1-2-1 Dallas Cowboys. Dallas boasts the league’s number one offense but their only win came in overtime against the Giants. Can New York’s other team have more success than their cross-town rivals?
Let’s break down the Cowboys roster, going position-by-position:
Quarterbacks
After injuries caused him to miss nine games last season, four-time pro bowl quarterback Dak Prescott leads the league’s top passing offense under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer, although two of their games going deep into overtime is a factor in this.
Prescott has two 300-yard passing days already this season but has thrown three interceptions and fumbled once. The Jets, who are yet to force a turnover yet this season, will be desperate to add to those numbers.
The backup is Joe Milton, who has thrown just 34 passes in his NFL career, including five since joining Dallas ahead of this season.
Offensive Line
For the third week in a row, the Jets are facing an offensive line that will be seriously undermanned as the three Tylers – Tyler Smith, Tyler Guyton and Tyler Booker – have each been absent from practice all week. Guyton and Booker are already ruled out but Smith is questionable despite not practicing.
Booker already missed last week’s game with TJ Bass filling in at right guard, but Smith and Guyton each started the first four games so the pack will need to be shuffled again on some level.
Of the three, the left guard Smith – a two-time pro bowler – would have been the biggest loss but the left tackle Guyton and Booker were their 2024 and 2025 first round picks, so it’s not helpful for their development. Understandably with so many players hurt, the unit as a whole has struggled, especially in pass protection.
The Cowboys were already without starting center Cooper Beebe, who is on injured reserve, so Brock Hoffman is starting at center. Guard Robert Jones was also placed on injured reserve before the season with a season-ending neck injury. The only day one starter whose status has not been in doubt is right tackle Terrence Steele who gave up nine sacks last season.
Last year’s seventh round pick Nathan Thomas has been the first man off the bench and could fill in at tackle, although Hakeem Adeniji has started 15 games in the NFL and is the only experienced player they have available. He has some experience at guard so could be the best option there if Smith can’t go. The other option at guard, unless they elevate someone from the practice squad, is the inexperienced Trevor Keegan.
Sixth round rookie tackle Ajani Cornelius is also on the roster.
Running Backs
Dallas signed Javonte Williams for $3.5 million during the offseason and he’s proven to be a bargain so far as he’s averaging five yards per carry and has racked up over 300 rushing yards, four touchdowns and...
