The Dallas Cowboys will aim for their fifth straight win on Sunday when they head to Jacksonville, Fla., to take on the Jaguars.
Dallas (10-3) still trails NFC East rival Philadelphia in the division standings for a top playoff seed, but the Cowboys are in the driver’s seat for a top wild card spot.
The Cowboys head into this matchup against the Jaguars (5-8) with some added firepower on offense, and someone who is very familiar with Jacksonville.
Dallas signed veteran wideout T.Y. Hilton on Monday to a deal for the remainder of the season.
Hilton spent 10 seasons with Jacksonville divisional rival Indianapolis, where he pulled in 631 catches for 9,691 yards and 53 touchdowns while making four Pro Bowl teams. Hilton hasn’t played this season. Last year, he caught 23 passes for 331 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games.
“The timing is right,” Dallas coach Mike McCarthy said this week. “He’s ready to go. He’s an excellent addition, especially at this time of year.”
Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore added: “As a veteran, he knows ball. He’s really, really smart. To have a guy like that, he’ll be able to handle the transition really, really well and provide some depth. We’ll see where all the roles transpire.”
And Dallas owner Jerry Jones said that the team has not ended its flirtation with another former star receiver, Odell Beckham Jr. He remains a free agent.
Dallas also signed defensive tackle Anthony Rush to its practice squad and claimed corner Trayvon Mullen off waivers from the Cardinals this week.
Despite the Cowboys’ record, they are 20th in the league in passing offense. They’ve been powered by the rushing duo of Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard, who have combined for 1,610 yards and 18 touchdowns.
The Jaguars are coming in with some positivity though, having won their last time out, topping the Titans 36-22 on the road. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence completed 30 of 42 passes for 368 yards and three touchdowns. He is ninth in the NFL in passing yards (3,202) this season and 10th in passing touchdowns (20).
“I would say he still has some room to grow, you know, and get better but he’s definitely taken steps in the right direction,” Jacksonville coach Doug Pederson said of Lawrence.
Lawrence was absent from Jaguars’ practice on Wednesday, nursing a sprained toe. He suffered the injury in a Week 13 loss to the Detroit Lions, but still played last week against the Titans, putting forth one of his best passing performances of the season.
“If he can go, I’d rather him go than not. If Trevor can practice some, I definitely want to get him out there,” Pederson said.
Also absent from Jacksonville’s practice Wednesday were linebacker Travon Walker (ankle), corner Darious Williams (abdomen) and offensive lineman Brandon Scherff (abdomen).
Dallas on Wednesday put right tackle Terence Steele and defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins on injured reserve.
The Cowboys are 4-3 all-time against the Jaguars.
Also attracting attention in this game will be Dallas pass rusher Dante Fowler Jr., who was drafted No. 3 overall by Jacksonville in 2015.
He played at Jacksonville last season as a member of the Atlanta Falcons and recorded a sack on Lawrence. Fowler has five sacks and seven QB hits this season.
–Field Level Media
