Dolphins get early Christmas present on eve of matchup vs. Cowboys

usatsi_22126587

The Miami Dolphins undoubtedly are in for a challenge defensively on Sunday afternoon when the Dallas Cowboys invade Hard Rock Stadium.

However, after Saturday’s news around the Cowboys, that challenge got a little bit more manageable. Cowboys star left tackle Tyron Smith was confirmed out for the game with a back injury.

View the original article to see embedded media.

Smith’s availability was already unlikely after he failed to practice all week and earned a doubtful game status designation for the game.  Now, suspicions of the thirteen-year veteran’s absence are confirmed.

That’s not an easy loss for the Cowboys to absorb.  The former two-time first-team All-Pro is the Cowboys’ highest graded offensive lineman this season with an overall Pro Football Focus grade of 83.9 and with a pass blocking mark of 89.1.  He’s one of the best pass blocking tackles in the league.

That’s an important asset that the Cowboys now won’t have against the Dolphins’ productive pass rush, which ranks second in the NFL with 48 sacks generated (1. Baltimore – 50 sacks).  Particularly, edge rusher Bradley Chubb will be licking his chops.  Chubb has an impressive 14.7% pressure rate this year with a team-leading 62 quarterback pressures and 9.5 sacks.  He had three sacks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery last week against the Jets.

If the Dolphins can’t get into Dak Prescott’s face with pressure routinely during the game, it’s quite likely he’ll be able to pick his spots and have a lot of success on Sunday.  Fortunately for Miami, they have the players and opportunity to make things difficult in the backfield for the Cowboys’ signal caller.