• Stafford leads the league with six interceptions and is tied for the second-most sacks with 16. His 70.7 completion percentage ranks second, but he has just nine completions of 20+ yards, tying him for 25th.
• Stafford can still be successful. His elbow has not been an issue for him; he can still push the ball down the field when he's asked to.
• The Rams' offense is sorely lacking a true deep threat. Van Jefferson (knew) filled that role in the past, but he's been out since training camp. There is a lack of continuity with WR Allen Robinson, who is not a field stretcher and is not having the production most expected from him. The Rams lack a real second option Stafford feels comfortable with. Tight end Tyler Higbee is a nice option, but he is not a premier player. He leads the league in tight end targets, but he is not a game-changing talent. These issues have caused Stafford to lock onto Cooper Kupp and have limited the Rams' ability to move the ball in chunks.
• Rush has more big plays, is getting rid of the ball quicker than Stafford and has a higher QB rating (95.9). Rush is aided by the Cowboys' balanced attack. The Rams have run the ball the second-fewest times in the league (82), compared to Dallas' 104. The Rams are averaging just 3.34 yards per carry and running it just 33% of the time. Dallas is averaging 4.0 yards per carry and running it 44% of the time.
• There is no question Stafford is the more talented player, but so far, Rush and the Cowboys' offense are more in sync.

Cooper Kupp vs. Trevon Diggs

• Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs lines up almost exclusively on the right side, but Kupp lines all over the formation.
• Diggs has already matched up well against elite receivers this season. When facing Ja’Marr Chase, Diggs only allowed two receptions for 14 yards. Last week vs. Washington, Diggs was lights out, allowing one catch while forcing two incompletions and snagging an interception. His nine pass deflections lead the league, and his two interceptions are second-best.
• Diggs has only allowed five catches on targets on passes more longer than 20 yards while forcing four incompletions and securing an interception. Diggs is a gambler, though, which was apparent last season. In 2021, he gave up 181 yds and three touchdowns on double moves, which was the worst in the league.
• Kupp's play has drawn more and more attention from opposing defenses, causing him to be the most doubled/bracketed WR vs. man coverage this year (36%).
• Kupp is tied for the most red-zone receiving TDs this season (3). His 42 receptions rank first, and his 402 yards receiving rank fourth.
• Kupp has accounted for 34.1% of the Rams' total yardage.
• Diggs loves to squat on routes, and receivers can catch him on his heels when his eyes are on the QB. Diggs is lucky he hasn't been flagged for grabbing a lot more this season. Kupp is a superior route runner, who could take advantage of this, either for a big play or a string of penalties. Still, Diggs has a rare ability to recover and make plays on the ball.
• The Rams may try to get Kupp isolated on Diggs to take advantage of that weakness in Diggs’ game.

Micah Parsons vs. Aaron Donald: Who Would You Rather Have?

• When studying Cowboys' pass rusher Micah Parsons, you appreciate his game even more. He can be an elite rusher but should get better and add more tricks to his bag over time. He also is an elite off-ball linebacker that can cover and play the run. He's a tremendous chess piece capable of so many different things on the field. Against Tampa Bay, he showed every aspect of his game. His speed, length, toughness and instincts put him in a rare place.
• Opposing offenses must identify Parsons and know where he is on the field at all times. He is an absolute difference-maker because he can do SO MANY different things on a football field.
• Aaron Donald is also an elite player, but he is much different than Parsons. With his speed and quickness, he can take over games for stretches and determine the outcome. In the Super Bowl, he “ended the game” by taking over the last two plays. He stuffed the run on third-and-1 and then mauled the quarterback on fourth-and-1. Game over.
• Donald is a height/weight/speed buster. He does not have ideal size, but it does not matter, because he is so talented and disruptive.
• Both players are rare, and if you have two dominant players, the defensive lineman would usually be more valuable than the linebacker. Parsons is more valuable because of all of the different things he does to impact the game. Parsons can cover, play the run and be a double-digit sack artist. If Parsons rushed full-time, his sack numbers would be off the charts.
• Both players are extremely difficult to plan for. You must account for Donald on every snap. It is easier to double-block a defensive lineman, but it doesn't always work. What makes Parsons more valuable is he can align in different spots, so you can’t predict where he will be.
• Bottom line: both are dominant players. Both do their jobs at an elite level, but having Parsons is like having two elite players, not one.

Extra Points