Demarcus Lawrence – DE
The Dallas defense has not been good this season, but they still have one of the best players in the league in Demarcus Lawrence. Lawrence is a premier pass rusher who is powerful, quick, and has long arms he uses to create separation.
Lawrence only has three sacks on the season, but he has been heating up with two in the last three games. The guy explodes off the football in a hurry and closes in on quarterbacks extremely quickly. Kirk Cousins will need to be aware of where Lawrence is on the field at all times.
The Vikings’ offensive line has been playing better in recent weeks and held the Chicago Bears to just one sack a week ago. Playing against Khalil Mack and company was a great test for the Purple and will surely help them get ready to face another elite pass rusher in Lawrence.
Lawrence plays on the left side of the Cowboys’ defensive line which means he’ll be up against the team’s best pass protector in Brian O’Neil. That is going to be a heck of a battle and it was one that O’Neil won a season ago when the two squared off on Sunday Night Football, as he held Lawrence to no sacks and just one quarterback hit. Lawrence is a heck of a player and one the Vikings will definitely have to gameplan for this week.