In a crucial game this coming Sunday at AT&T Stadium, the Dallas Cowboys will face off against none other than Lamar Jackson, the reigning MVP leading the Baltimore Ravens. With the Cowboys coming off a tough 44-19 loss to the New Orleans Saints, their Playoff chances are on the line as they aim to avoid a 1-2 record.
Cowboys head coach, Mike McCarthy, has been making headlines as he prepares the team for this pivotal Week 3 matchup. With the team’s defense struggling and confidence low, McCarthy knows they are in for a serious challenge against a strong Ravens team led by Lamar Jackson.
While the Cowboys are sitting at 1-1, the pressure is on Baltimore to avoid a dreaded 0-3 start, which historically doesn’t bode well for playoff chances. McCarthy is leaving no stone unturned in his preparations, even unveiling what he calls a “secret weapon” to help the team get ready for Jackson’s unique skill set.
That secret weapon is none other than Trey Lance, who McCarthy has tapped to simulate Jackson’s dynamic play in practice. McCarthy believes that Lance’s mobility will give the defense some insight into what they can expect on Sunday. He stated, “He’s dynamic, No. 1. We feel really good about what Trey can give us there as far as running those scout team reps.”
However, comparing Trey Lance to Lamar Jackson is a bit of a stretch. Jackson is known as one of the most electrifying players in NFL history, especially as a dual-threat quarterback. Lance, though athletic, simply doesn’t measure up. Jackson has already rushed for 167 yards in just two games this season, averaging 8.0 yards per carry, while Lance has only managed 235 rushing yards in his entire career, averaging 4.4 yards per carry.
McCarthy’s idea of using Lance to simulate Jackson may not be completely misguided, but it’s clear that no one can truly replicate Jackson’s unique combination of speed, field awareness, and decision-making. As one commentator put it, “Comparing Lance to Jackson is like preparing for the PGA Tour after a successful round of mini-golf.”
Despite McCarthy’s hopes that this strategy will give the Cowboys an edge, it remains to be seen how well Trey Lance’s imitation of Lamar Jackson will hold up on game day. The showdown between the Cowboys and the Ravens will reveal whether this “secret weapon” will be enough to stop Lamar Jackson and secure a victory for Dallas.
