The 6-3 Dallas Cowboys travel to the United Kingdom to take on the 1-8 Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium. It is the third International Series game of the season, and the first ever for the Cowboys.
The Cowboys' passing game struggled mightily with Brandon Weeden under center against the Washington Redskins. Even if Tony Romo starts he won't be at full health, overly exposing him to an aggressive Jaguars pass rush would be rash, particularly when they have DeMarco Murray to lean on. As a rusher, Murray is peerless in 2014; his league leading rushing grade (+11.9) is almost double that of the second-best rusher; while his 67.6 Elusive Rating, and 36.3 Breakaway Percentage are better than any other comparable featured running back. Red Bryant (+4.6 against the run) aside, none of the Jaguars defensive line has excelled against the run in 2014, if the Cowboys can get Murray going early, it may not matter who is under center.
If the Jaguars can hold Murray and the Cowboys ground game in check, then they have the opportunity to get after the quarterback. Putting the game in the capable hands of Sen'Derrick Marks, Ryan Davis and the rest of the Jaguars' pass-rushing unit. Marks is having a career year, his +8.7 pass rush grade is sixth-best among all defensive tackles, while his five sacks and five QB hits have contributed to a 7.7 Pass Rushing Productivity score. Davis is on the field less often, but has still recorded six sacks and 16 total pressures on his way to a +13.0 pass rush grade, and a 11.5 PRP score, second-best out of 79 qualifying tackles.
Here are three more notable numbers for each side:
Dallas Cowboys
Zach Martin – Martin has allowed zero sacks, one hit and just six total pressures for a 98.5 Pass Blocking Efficiency grade, fifth among all offensive guards, and the best mark of any rookie lineman.
Tyrone Crawford – Credited With a 10.4 Run Stop Percentage and a 7.5 Pass Rushing Productivity grade, Crawford is proving to be a disruptive interior lineman in all aspect of the game.
Orlando Scandrick – With one interception, and having allowed zero touchdowns on passes thrown into his coverage, Scandrick's +7.0 coverage grade ranks fifth among cornerbacks.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Geno Hayes – Hayes yet to miss a tackle against the run in 2014; his 35.0 Combined Tackling Efficiency ranks first out of 22 qualifying 4-3 outside linebackers.
Denard Robinson – Robinson's 35.3 Breakaway Percentage over the last three weeks ranks fourth among running backs
Allen Hurns – With a 149.4 WR Rating over the last three games, Hurns is once again proving that the Jaguars have found themselves a gem in the Undrafted free-agent out of Miami.
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