The Dallas Cowboys are preparing for an unfamiliar environment in Week 3, but the biggest challenge waiting for them in Brazil will be a familiar one: stopping the run.
Dallas will face the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry leading one of the NFL’s most dangerous rushing attacks. For Cowboys defensvie tackle, the solution starts up front.
Williams acknowledged that Dallas has struggled to consistently stop the run early this season, particularly along the interior of the defensive line.
“It’s been challenging for us the whole season coming down and stopping the run, especially on the interior,” Williams said. “So we’re just really focused on homing in the urgency level on being disruptive up front, playing with our hands, getting knockback and doing things like that.
Quinnen Williams focused on Derrick Henry challenge
Stopping Baltimore’s rushing attack becomes even more important with Henry in the backfield.
The 6-foot-3, 252-pound veteran continues to be a major force despite entering his 11th NFL season. His combination of size, power and abiltiy to gain yardage after breaking the first tackler presents a difficult assignment for a Cowboys defense that know it cannot afford to give Baltimore easy yards on the ground.
Williams believes the responsibility falls on the defensive front regardless of who is carrying the football.
No matter who it is back there, we have to do our job up front to stop the run,” Williams said.
For Dallas, that means winning at the line of scrimmage, creating penetration and preventing Henry from getting downhill. If the Cowboys can force Baltimore into obvious 3rd and long passing situations, they can put more pressure on Jackson and the Ravens passing game.
Cowboys preparing for unique Brazil experience
While the Ravens present the biggest football challenge, the Cowboys will also have to adjust to playing internationally.
Williams said he is excited for his first trip to Brazil but emphasized that Dallas cannot allow the unique setting to distract from its objective.
“It’s super exciting.” Williams said. “First time going to Brazil, but to win those games, you’ve got to be focused, you’ve got to be intentional and the urgency’s got to go up. So it’s super dope, but it’s a business trip.”
The playing surface is another factor Williams plans to investigate once the Cowboys arrive.
“Just looking for traction,” Williams said on what he looks for on a unique playing surface. “Are my feet going to be able to slip or not and different things like that. So yea, I’ll definitely check it out when I get there.”
With unfamiliar surroundings and a unique playing surface, Dallas knows preparation will be especially important.
Cowboys leaning on defensive depth
The Cowboys will be without cornerback Cobie Durant, linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and safeties P.J. Locke and Malik Hooker against Baltimore.
Those absences will force several players into larger roles, but Williams believes Dallas has enough depth to handle the challenge.
“Each and everybody on this defensive unit worked their tails off during training camp and during offseason,” Williams said. “The guys that they brought in were a phenomenal fit for this group. It’s really next man up mentality.”
Dallas is also looking to learn from its previous performance against the run.
“We had a great learning experience, the last game especially,” Williams said. “Just definitely focus it on it this week and learn from it and definitely make it an emphasis.”
Against Baltimore, that emphasis will be tested immediately. If Dallas wants to slow down the Ravens, Williams and the Cowboys’ defensive front will have to make stopping the run a priority from the opening snap.
