The Dallas Cowboys' top objective in their matchup against a formidable Houston Texans defense will be slowing down the dynamic pass-rushing duo of Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. To counter Houston’s elite pass rush, Dallas could follow the Buffalo Bills’ blueprint by using heavier tight-end personnel to reinforce edge pass protection. Following this blueprint, Anderson Jr. and Hunter would get a heavy dose of Jake Ferguson, Brevyn Spann-Ford, and Luke Schoonmaker in this game.
Buffalo ran 56 offensive plays against the Texans in week one, using 12 personnel packages with two tight ends on the field 51.8 percent of the time and 13 personnel packages with three tight ends on the field 35.7 percent of the time. Both packages were effective
against Houston in two critical areas, slowing the pass rush and disguising the plays being run. The Bills' approach to attacking this defense was quite effective, with Buffalo giving up the lowest total sacks (2) and pressures (6) to the Texans this season, and tight end Dalton Kincaid went off, catching five passes for a career-high 130 yards.
Dallas has the personnel to replicate this plan of attack with Ferguson as the pass-catching threat, while Spann-Ford and Schoonmaker take more of the in-line blocking responsibilities. But for this to work, the Cowboys will need Javonte Williams and this running game to be effective early, much like the Bills, who averaged 5.3 yards per carry in the first half, forcing Houston into more heavy personnel packages to slow running back James Cook, which allowed Josh Allen to pick them apart in the passing game.
The Cowboys have much better pass-catching weapons on the outside, with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, than the Bills. Dak Prescott should be able to duplicate the success through the air that Allen had in Week 1.
The threat of Lamb and Pickens would also make it difficult for Houston to commit extra defenders to the line of scrimmage. If the Texans stay in heavier personnel to defend the run, Dallas can create favorable one-on-one matchups on the perimeter. If Houston spreads out to account for those receivers, Ferguson and the running game should have more room to work underneath, especially with Houston's defensive leader and green-dot linebacker Azeez Al-Shaairmost likely out for this game.
The goal would not be to eliminate Anderson Jr. and Hunter from the game entirely. The Cowboys just need to keep them from disrupting the offense on obvious passing downs. A balanced attack, heavier tight-end usage, and early down success would give Prescott more manageable third downs while limiting Houston’s opportunities to unleash its pass rush.
Buffalo provided the blueprint. Hopefully Dallas can prove it can execute it. If the Cowboys establish the run and use their tight ends effectively, they can slow Houston’s edge pressure without sacrificing the explosive passing plays that make this offense dangerous.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys can borrow a Bills' strategy to find Week 4 success vs Texans
