What to know about Dallas Cowboys home opener against the Aaron Rodgers-less New York Jets

On paper, it appears the Dallas Cowboys caught a break in Sunday’s home opener vs. the New York Jets who will play without future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Rodgers suffered a season-ending torn Achilles four plays into the Jets’ opening win against the Bills, putting disappointing former first-round pick Zack Wilson on the field against the Cowboys.

Consider the Cowboys disappointed and dejected.

They never want to see a great player injured, but more importantly they wanted to go into the belly of the beast and face their fears.

Rodgers had a history of flummoxing the Cowboys during his career with the Green Bay Packers. He joined the Jets during the offseason.

Rodgers is 8-3 all-time vs. the Cowboys, including eight wins in his last nine games and a personal four-game winning streak.

The list includes a devastating loss in 2014 NFC Divisional Playoffs that was marked by controversial catch from receiver Dez Bryant that was ruled incomplete by replay officials.

In 2016, Rogers broke the Cowboys spirits with a third-and-20 completion to set up a game-winning field field in the NFC Divisional playoffs again.

And then last season, he rallied the Packers from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter to break the heart of his former coach Mike McCarthy in his first game back to Lambeau Field as a member Cowboys.

“I really did want to play Aaron,” Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons said. “I know how great he is and I loved the match up last year. It left a bitter taste and people always talk about how Rodgers dominates Dallas when he plays in Dallas. So it would’ve been nice to break that curse.”

Quarterback Dak Prescott took offense when asked if the Rodgers atmosphere diminished the game.

“No,” Prescott said. “Obviously I wanted to play play against the guy. I’ve had a lot of great battles with him over the years. Hell of a player. It sucks that he’s not going to be out there. But to say it diminishes an NFL game would be wild of me, especially understanding how great this defense is. They’ve got our respect and haven’t lost any bit of that.

“Just tough not playing a guy that I’ve enjoyed competing against for the entirely of my career.”

What to watch in Sunday’s game between the Cowboys and the Jets:

Unleash new offense, finally

This is the week, this is the game the Cowboys finally get to unleash their new Texas coast offense directed by head coach Mike McCarthy.

The plan was muted in the season opener because of a driving rain storm and because of the need to be conservative after building a 26-0 halftime lead in a 40-0 victory against the Giants.

The conditions will be pristine on Sunday against the Jets inside AT&T Stadium.

And while the Jets defense poses a huge threat because they have play makers on every level, the Cowboys can’t wait to play their new toys.

“Yeah, excited,” quarterback Dak Prescott said. ”Just playing indoors, knowing it’s going to be better conditions, being able to get the passing game going, lot of excitement. We’ve worked hard on this to get to where we are, to get as comfortable as we are as a full unit. Yeah, plan for a lot of it to come to fruition.”

Said receiver CeeDee Lamb: “You want to make big plays, you want to score all of the touchdowns. Just being out there with the guys and making a routine plays, things we’ve been practicing and preaching since camp, to see it come to fruition, that’s probably the best feeling. That’s probably what we’re looking forward to.

“The rain did what the rain does. Unfortunately, it sucks. But now we’re home in a dome so it can rain if it wants.”

Stop the run every week

Stopping the run will be a story line for the Cowboys defense every week because that is the No. 1 option for opposing offenses in an effort to slow down edge rush Micah Parsons and his band of pass rushers.

The Cowboys were third in sacks and first in pass-rush win rate in 2022 and picked up where they left off in season opener with seven sacks and 12 quarterback hits against the Giants.

They earned the right to rush the passer because they limited running back Saquon Barkley to 33 yards on 11 carries in the first half, while recording six sacks en route to a 26-0 half-time lead.

They must earn the right again against the Jets’ two-headed rushing attack of Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook. With Rodgers out, the Jets are going rely heavily on the run to protect quarterback Zack Wilson.

Hall and Cook are both dynamic and explosive.

“We got to be dominant,” Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons said.”We got to earn the right to pass rush. We got to stop these great backs. We’re very familiar with Dalvin from the past couple years; Breece Hall, who’s a little bit of a different back from Dalvin but still a really good back. And we just got to prepare. We’re going to have our hands full this week.”

Don’t help Zack Wilson, harass him

The key for the Cowboys Sunday is not the turn the ball over on offense, stop the run and then harass suspect quarterback Zack Wilson.

The only reason the Jets won their opener against the Buffalo Bills is because they were gifted four turnovers and because they scored a game-winning punt return for a touchdown.

If they Cowboys don’t give the Jets any help, the Jets will have a difficult time scoring with Wilson at the helm.

The reason the team acquired Rodgers was because of a lack of trust and faith in Wilson, who been a huge disappointment since being picked second overall in the 2021 draft to be the Jets franchise quarterback.

He showed nothing in the win over the Bills to instill confidence. And playing against a subpar offensive line, which allowed the sack that caused Rodgers’ injury, the Cowboys defense should feast on Wilson.

But they must stop the run first.

Who is in and Who is out

Considering the Aaron Rodgers situation, the Cowboys can’t cry about their bad luck with injuries early in the season.

But it hasn’t been ideal. Left guard Tyler Smith suffered a strained hamstring warming up practice the week before the season opener against the Giants and is likely to miss his second straight game.

Zack Martin will be less than full strength against the Jets on Sunday after suffering a groin strain in practice on Thursday. None of this is ideal heading into a matchup against a Jets defensive line that is strong across the board.

One of the biggest concerns about the Cowboys heading into the season was offensive line depth and it is getting challenged early. Chuma Edoga is starting in place of Smith. If Martin misses in any time, they will likely turn to rookie Asim Richards.

Also keep an eye on the status of receiver Brandin Cooks, who has missed practice all week with a Grade 1 MCL sprain in his knee.

It is not considered serious but it could keep him out of the Jets game, if the Cowboys decide to be cautious.

Safety Donovan Wilson and cornerback Jourdan Lewis could make their season debuts against the Jets after missing the opener rehabbing injuries.