Dallas @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 19, 2015 ) N.Y. Jets 19, Dallas 16

The Dallas Cowboys were a trendy pick to emerge out of the NFC this season and such chatter only intensified after they opened the season with three lopsided victories, surpassing 30 points in each game. However, the Cowboys have come up short in back-to-back matchups against conference rivals and look to snap a two-game slide at the winless New York Jets on Sunday.

Dallas' offense ground to a halt in a 12-10 setback at New Orleans in Week 4 and the Cowboys were manhandled by visiting Green Bay a week ago, falling behind by 28 points in a 34-24 loss. "I do think guys are maybe trying a little bit too hard in some instances to make plays, and I think that's hurt us in all three phases of our team," coach Jason Garrett told reporters this week. The Jets have scored the second-fewest points in the league in their 0-4 start but will be hoping for a boost with the return of quarterback Sam Darnold to the lineup. "I feel good. Energy is awesome," said Darnold, the No. 3 overall pick a year ago who has been sidelined three games due to mononucleosis. "Just looking forward to playing this week."

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Cowboys -7. O/U: 44.5

ABOUT THE COWBOYS (3-2): Dak Prescott put up big numbers in last week's loss to the Packers, throwing for a career-high 463 yards and two touchdowns, but he also was intercepted three times and absorbed three sacks. The bigger problem for Dallas is a struggling running game -- Ezekiel Elliott has scored in each of the last two weeks but he has rushed for a total of 97 yards in the two losses. "I'm not really concerned at all. We're still the same offense," Elliott said. "I'm just concerned about figuring out how to get things right in this offense.” The Cowboys rank No. 9 against the pass, allowing an average of 200.4 yards.

ABOUT THE JETS (0-4): Relegated to playing third-string quarterback Luke Falk, New York is coming off two dismal offensive performances, managing 128 total yards in a 31-6 loss to Philadelphia after mustering 105 versus New England. Darnold threw for 175 yards and a score in the season opener but the Jets blew a 16-point lead against Buffalo. "We've got a lot of other things to clean up, but Sam is able to hide things sometimes for us," Jets coach Adam Gase said this week. Running back Le'Veon Bell has 27 receptions but has rushed for only 206 yards, while New York has been stout against the run, yielding 87.5 yards per game.

OVERTIME

1. Elliott needs 66 yards rushing to become the third player to reach 4,500 yards rushing and 1,250 yards receiving in his first 50 games.

2. Jets WR Jamison Crowder, who had 14 catches in Week 1, averaged 92.7 yards in his last three versus Dallas.

3. Cowboys WR Amari Cooper, coming off a career-best 226 yards last week, has 11 TDs in 14 games with the team.

PREDICTION: Cowboys 26, Jets 16