Dallas Cowboys: 6 Keys to Week 1 Success

The Dallas Cowboys have a tall task ahead of them on NBC's Sunday Night Football this weekend, taking on the New York Jets Sept. 11 at the Meadowlands.

Jason Garrett and new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan will have need to bring a top-notch gameplan to shut down the defending AFC East champions.

Here are six things the 'Boys will need to accomplish if they hope to walk out of New Jersey with a victory.

Shut Down the Jets' Running Game

The Jets' rushing attack saw a significant drop-off from its 2009 No. 1-ranked running game last season, but don't expect Rex Ryan to deviate from his game plan because of it.

Ryan has proven he loves to pound the ball and simply have Mark Sanchez manage the football game, and if the Cowboys want to win on Sunday they'll need to be ready for a heavy dose of LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene.

Dallas finished ranked 23rd in the NFL against the run in 2010, while the Jets finished as the 22nd-best rushing attack.

Get the Ball to Miles Austin, Dez Bryant

Going into this bout, head coach Jason Garrett has to be aware that either Miles Austin or Dez Bryant will be seeing more than they would like of Darrelle Revis in pass coverage, meaning the other receiver must step up and have himself a respectable performance.

Revis will look to isolate one of the Cowboys' top receiving threats and that means Tony Romo will need to look towards tight end Jason Witten and most likely Bryant through the air.

If the Jets' standout corner is able to take away Austin, Dallas must focus its attention on making plays in the passing game and hope guys like Bryant can get the best of their assignments.

Pressure Mark Sanchez

It's no secret that Sanchez has had trouble keeping his interceptions down, and if the pass rush of America's Team can get inside the young quarterback's head, they could obtain Sanchize's first picks of the season.

DeMarcus Ware and Jay Ratliff will need to anchor this defense and get the best of a New York offensive line that allowed its starting quarterback to be sacked 27 times last season.

If the Cowboys are able to rattle Sanchez, they might just be able to win the turnover battle against this squad.

Protect Tony Romo

Just as it will be important to pester Sanchez, it will be equally as important for the Dallas offensive line to protect Romo.

The O-line will be tested against a Rex Ryan lead defense, which should prove to be a tough challenge for a unit that just lost its veteran starting center and has a few new faces on the startling roster.

Given this isn't the exact same unit, but Romo found himself sacked on 34 occasions in 2009 and seven times in his six games last season.

The Cowboys will need to allow their QB time to scan the field and make the best passing choice possible, as completions don't come easy against their interception-happy opposition.

Contain Santonio Holmes

With Jerricho Cotchery gone, Plaxico Burress still rusty and Derrick Mason not getting any younger, Santonio Holmes is the only true receiving threat on the Jets roster.

New York's No. 1 receiver recorded six touchdown receptions last year in just 12 games and could have broken 1,000 yards if he played all 16.

Sanchez will look to pick on a Dallas secondary that will be without Terence Newman and get the ball to his most dangerous receiver.

There's little chance the 'Boys will be fable to fully shut down the former Pittsburgh Steeler, but if they are able to keep him out of the end zone and out of the open field, the Jets' passing attack looks much less formidable.

Felix Jones Must Contribute

One of the main reasons that Dallas decided to draft Felix Jones a few seasons ago was that it realized the former Arkansas Razorback had big-play potential.

Jones saw a significant increase in carries once Garrett took over as acting head coach last season, and his success allowed the 'Boys to establish a more balanced passing attack.

With Marion Barber in Chicago, there is no question that Jones is the feature back for the Cowboys in 2011.

The Dallas faithful will hope the former draft pick can pick up where he left off in 2010 and provide a quality night on the ground, which would likely translate in a formidable attack for the offense as a whole.