Cowboys at Bills: Will Rookie 'Do A Helluva Job' At 'Dirty Work'?
FRISCO - A week after downing division rival Philadelphia at AT&T Stadium and taking over the lead in the NFC East, the 10-3 Cowboys travel north to Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park to face a Bills team that could prove to be more dangerous than its 7-6 record indicates.
The Bills are fighting for their playoff lives and Buffalo wideout Stefan Diggs is confident that his team is ready for a postseason push. “We battled a lot, been battle-tested. And it’s a big thing being battled-tested,” Diggs said.
“Is the record a reflection of our team? I don’t think so. But it is the record," Diggs said. “The only thing we can do is win the next game, win the next play.
Dak Prescott (L) and Josh Allen
“Because down this stretch, we get to see what we’re made of. And as a true competitor, if you’re a real competitor, that’s what you want. And I like being an underdog more than anything.”
Dallas is relatively healthy for this one, with defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (ankle) being ruled out, but with the team planning to elevate vet Carl Davis from the practice squad and to count on rookie first-rounder Mazi Smith.
Said Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy: “I think Mazi is doing a hell of a job. Just remember the (veteran) room that he walked into. …He’s here to do a job that is dirty. This is not a statistic-filled role that is going to bring him a lot of notoriety.”
True. Dallas doesn't need "notoriety'' here; "dirty'' will do.
The Cowboys are generally oozing with confidence and are riding a five-game winning streak. Dallas is just a win or tie away from clinching a third-straight postseason appearance in the NFC. Much of that momentum was gained at home, and now the Cowboys face two road games against AFC East foes. Dallas has been great at home, going 7-0 this season and outscoring its opponents 279-108. The road is a different story.
“Outdoors, northern climate, all those things. I think this is what you need as part of that opportunity,” McCarthy said. “If things go right, and we’re able to get the momentum, grab those chunks of confidence that come with a good division win as we had (against the Eagles), this is an opportunity to go win and grow as a football team.”
On the road, the Cowboys are just 3-3 with a slight 145-125 tilt on the scoreboard.
“Right now it’s not about home or away. These are all playoff-type games,” quarterback Dak Prescott said. “It’s important for us to use this momentum and confidence that we gathered from the last month-and-a-half and make sure we take another step on the road.”
While the Bills are hopeful for a late playoff push, they're currently 11th in the AFC standings, but one of six teams logjammed at 7-6. Buffalo could still win a fourth straight AFC East title, but it'll need to continue winning and get some help.
The East-leading Dolphins fell to the Titans in Week 14, helping the Buffalo cause.
“That obviously helped a little bit,” McDermott said, referring to the Dolphins' loss. “Having said that, we’re focused obviously on what’s right in front of us with Dallas this week.”
WHAT: Dallas Cowboys (10-3, 3-3 Away) at Buffalo Bills (7-6, 5-2 Home)
WHERE: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY (71,621)
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, 3:25 p.m. CT
TELEVISION: FOX / FuboTV (try it free)
RADIO: KRLD-FM 105.3 The Fan
TICKETS: SI Tickets
BETTING: SI SportsBook
SPREAD: Cowboys +2.5
TOTAL: 49.5
MONEYLINE: Cowboys +110, Bills -133
