Ascending in the NFC playoff picture, the Dallas Cowboys visit the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday with a lot on the line for each side.
Winners of five in a row, the Cowboys (10-3) moved into a tie atop the NFC East with the Eagles after posting a 33-13 victory over Philadelphia last Sunday. Dallas averaged a robust 40.2 points a game during its winning streak, and the Cowboys can clinch a playoff berth this Sunday with a win or tie or one of 13 other scenarios.
The Bills (7-6) recorded a statement victory of their own last weekend with a 20-17 decision over Kansas City.
Dak Prescott is at the controls of Dallas’ top-ranked scoring offence (32.4 points per game). He has thrown multiple touchdown passes in each of his last seven games to boost his NFL-leading total to 28 this season.
Star wideout CeeDee Lamb has reeled in one scoring strike in five consecutive contests. He ranks third in the NFL in catches (96) and in receiving yards (1,253).
Defensively, linebacker Micah Parsons has 12.5 sacks for the season, and the Cowboys’ fourth-ranked scoring defence (17.9 points a game ) is a prime concern for Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who has been sacked just 18 times.
“Their D-line is really damn good; they fly around and they have some guys that just absolutely wreak havoc,” Allen said. “So we’re going to have our hands full in our protection meeting and need to make sure we know where 11 [Parsons] is at all times, but he’s not the only guy on their D-line that can go.”
Allen, who is tied for second in the NFL with 25 touchdown passes, guides the Bills’ fifth-ranked scoring offence (26.8 points per game).
“He’s a dynamic football player. The way he plays the position, he reminds me of a young Brett Favre,” Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said of Allen. “Just the temperament, the ability to throw the ball to any quadrant of the field. He’s very aggressive running the ball. You have to treat him as a running back when he gets out there because he’s not looking to go down or go out of bounds. Very impactful football player.”
Allen’s most trusted target is Stefon Diggs, who sits seven receiving yards shy of his sixth straight 1,000-yard season. He also leads the team in catches (87) and receiving touchdowns (eight).
Former Bills first-round pick and current Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore plans to keep a keen eye on Diggs. He also wasn’t shy about reaching out to the wideout’s brother: injured Dallas cornerback Trevon Diggs.
“He knows him a lot, and we talked about it a little bit during training camp,” Gilmore said of his teammate’s advice about his brother. “I’m [also] going to go through my normal process and study him and hope to play well against him.”
Buffalo defensive end A.J. Epenesa (rib), safety Micah Hyde (neck) and edge rusher Von Miller (veteran rest day) did not participate in Wednesday’s walk-through session. Rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid (thumb, shoulder) and cornerback Taron Johnson (ankle) were limited.
Dallas defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (high ankle sprain) did not practice Wednesday and would be “hard-pressed to go this week, McCarthy said.
Safety Malik Hooker (ankle), tackle Tyron Smith (rest), Gilmore (rest) and punter Bryan Anger (personal) did not practice Wednesday.