Cowboys hope to take momentum to Seattle
When the Dallas Cowboys roll into Seattle this weekend to play the Seahawks, the Cowboys will have one of the architects of the Seahawks’ Legion of Boom defense on their sideline.
Dallas’s new defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator Kris Richard drew the media’s attention for his intense approach during OTAs and training camp. Richard was the Seahawks’ defensive coordinator for the last three seasons (2015-17) and coached the defensive secondary for five seasons before that.
The Cowboys defense has started this season with a more aggressive tone, which many in the media and the stands are crediting to Richard’s presence. Dallas sacked Eli Manning six times and shut down the Giants for long enough for the Cowboys to control the first three and a half quarters on the way to a 20-13 victory. Dallas also sacked Carolina’s Cam Newton three times in the season opener and held the Panthers to 16 points.
All of that, plus the Seahawks’ sputtering offense so far this season bodes well for the Cowboys’ defense.
Of course, Dallas has been inconsistent on offense through two games as well.
The Cowboys found their rhythm at times against the Giants with Dak Prescott making key plays. They’ll try to keep it up against a remodeled Seattle defense.
In the fair-trade category, Ken Norton Jr., a member of two Cowboys Super Bowl champions, is the Seahawks’ new defensive coordinator.
However, Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett senses the same attitude on the Seahawks sideline.
“I see a really good defense,” Garrett said. “They’ve got a lot of new faces, but they still play the same way they’ve played for a long time.”
It’s no secret that Dallas wants to attack the Seattle defense by getting running back Ezekiel Elliott loose in the Seahawks’ secondary. Elliott began to break through in the fourth quarter on Sunday night. He rushed for 29 of his game-high 78 yards on the Cowboys’ 82-yard touchdown drive in the fourth. Elliott capped the march with a 6-yard touchdown run.
“Zeke’s a good football player,” Garrett said. “He’s off to a really good start. His success, often times, is predicated on how we’re doing around him. So, with the opportunities he’s gotten, he’s done a really good job.”
SERIES HISTORY: 18th regular-season meeting. Cowboys lead series, 10-7. The home team has not fared well in the Cowboys-Seahawks series lately. Dallas won in Seattle in 2014, then the Seahawks posted back-to-back victories at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in 2015 and 2017.
