The Cowboys run defense was supposed to get its first major test in week one against the Jets.
But New York not only didn’t rush that much, they didn’t rush that well, gaining just 45 yards on 16 carries for an average of 2.8 yards per carry. Whether this was a result of the Jets coming into the game with a shifted philosophy from their usual ground-and-pound offensive style, or whether Dallas’s run defense just didn’t give them much of an option, we might find out on Sunday when the Cowboys face the 49ers and Frank Gore.
According to head coach Jason Garrett, Gore and the 49ers present yet another test for the new look Dallas defense, a run-happy offense of the sort you’ll usually see when the Jets play.
"I think it's outstanding and it has been outstanding the last couple of years," Garrett said of San Francisco’s running game, per ESPN Dallas. “There's certainly a commitment to running the ball out there they have some young offensive linemen, who are big, strong and powerful guys and Frank Gore is really one of the elite runners in the NFL. Just been a very productive player for a long time."
Gore had 59 yards on 22 carries in the ‘Niners’ week one win over the Seahawks, and Garrett expects the team to give Gore a similar workload in week two.
"They will give him the ball and give him opportunities, no question about that," Garrett said. "We need to be ready to stop him."
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