Linebacker Bradie James put it best when asked about the Cowboys’ performance against the run this preseason: “It wasn’t good.”
Dallas ranked 23rd in the league against the run over their four exhibition games, allowing 123 yards per game and a total of four rushing touchdowns.
“Y'all saw it," James continued, per the Dallas Morning News. "We gave up some points. In order for us to be successful, we got to stop the run. That's football 101. So we've got some work to do, and we've been working at that. But now, that's when it counts."
This sets up an interesting (to use a kind word) matchup this weekend, when the Cowboys head northeast to face the Jets. Few teams run the ball better, or more often than does New York. Last season, the Jets were the fourth-best rushing team in football and the second runningest team in the league behind only the Kansas City Chiefs, with 534 rushing attempts.
So yeah, Sunday should be a pretty good test for a defense that has struggled through the preseason.
"They are as good as it gets running the football," head coach Jason Garrett said. "They have two great backs and a really talented offensive line. I think our run defense has gotten better and better and better the more we've implemented our system of defense and hopefully it'll be ready come Sunday night because we know they're going to run the football at us."
Stay on top of the latest Dallas Cowboys news with NBCDFW.com. Follow NBC DFW Sports on Facebook or have breaking Cowboys news sent directly to your phone with Blue Star SMS alerts. Text "bluestar" to 622339 (NBCDFW) to subscribe to this free service. Read more about it here.
