DALLAS — The Dallas Cowboys just beat their biggest rival and one of the best teams in the NFL.
However, in a league that won’t allow you to rest on your laurels, Thursday night brings the next challenge. For the Cowboys, that means following up their best win of the season with a game against a physical Tennessee Titans team on short rest in Week 17.
The question that’s now being asked of the Cowboys: Can the team build on the momentum of a monster win, or will they fall flat in an out of conference matchup?
The last time the Cowboys played on the road, and against an AFC South opponent, they blew a 17-point lead to the now division-leading Jacksonville Jaguars. The Cowboys have completed their home slate for the season with their final two games of the season on the road, beginning with the Titans on Thursday Night Football.
Here are the keys to riding the momentum and beating Tennessee in Week 17:
Slow down Derrick Henry
The Cowboys were having trouble stopping the run heading into the game against the Philadelphia Eagles last week, but limited one of the league’s best rushing attacks to just 87 yards on the ground. That effort must be duplicated again as Dan Quinn’s defense prepares to tussle with Derrick Henry, one of the NFL’s best running backs.
The Titans love to be physical in the trenches and the fruits of that labor sees Henry as second in the league in rushing yards with 1,429 yards and 13 touchdowns. Henry has eight 100-yard rushing games this season, including three in a row, and is the focal point of the Titans’ offense.
However, Henry is nursing a hip injury and is questionable to play against the Cowboys. He missed Monday’s practice but was back on the field for Tuesday’s workout.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see Henry play with the Titans in a battle for a playoff spot and that makes the former Heisman winner a top target that the Cowboys will need to limit if he’s able to suit up.
Make use of Malik Willis’ inexperience
The Titans lost starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill to an ankle injury a few weeks ago and have turned to the rookie quarterback for the stretch run. Willis has started three games this season and has yet to throw a touchdown and accounted for just one score, a rushing touchdown in the Week 16 loss to Houston.
Dallas’ defense is the best in the league at forcing turnovers, with 30 takeaways this season. Playing against a rookie quarterback should help the Cowboys get their opportunities to enhance that number in Week 17. Willis has thrown three interceptions and lost two fumbles in his limited duty this season, and if the Cowboys can continue to goad the rookie into mistakes, the turnovers would help them walk away victorious.
Get back to the sacks
A few weeks ago, the Cowboys had the most fearsome pass rushing defense in the league. However, in the last three weeks, the defense has come up with just one sack. A Micah Parsons takedown in Week 15 is all Dallas has mustered in recent times.
The Titans do give up pressure and have allowed 47 sacks on the year, seventh worst in the NFL. In addition, Willis has been sacked 10 times in eight games, with all 10 coming in his three starts. Last week, Willis was brought down four times on his 28 dropbacks.
If the Cowboys want to feel good about their pass rush again, this is the week to get back on track.
Throw it to win it
The Titans have a defense that excels in one area but struggles in another. Against the run, the Titans are among the league leaders, allowing just over 80 yards per game on the ground, good for second best in the NFL. It’s a stout run defense that has only given up eight rushing scores, which is tied for the third fewest in the league.
Conversely, against the pass, Tennessee's defense ranks among the worst units. Their pass defense allows close to 280 yards through the air per contest, second worst in the league. Also second worst in the league, the 26 passing touchdowns that the Titans have given up.
After slicing up the NFL’s top passing defense for 347 yards and three scores last week, the Cowboys and quarterback Dak Prescott now get a chance to go up against one of the worst secondaries in the game. The Cowboys can build on their momentum from last week and prepare for the playoffs against a soft Titans pass defense.
Do you think the Cowboys will be able to get up for Thursday’s clash against the Titans? Share your predictions with Ben on Twitter @BenGrimaldi.
More Cowboys coverage: