Dallas, Texas (105.3 The Fan/WGR 550) - The red-hot Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for a rare non-conference matchup this coming Sunday with the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y.
It has been four years since the last time both teams met, which was a Thanksgiving affair that went the way of Buffalo in 2019. It was in 2015 when the Cowboys last played in Western New York, with the Bills also winning that matchup in another late-December game.
The last time the Cowboys earned a victory over the Bills was in a 44-7 throttling of Buffalo at AT&T Stadium on Nov. 13, 2011.
Cowboys' All-Pro guard Zack Martin has been a part of the last two games against the Bills. The first game in 2015 was just his second season in the NFL, and remembers that game for being a wet and dreary day in Orchard Park.
While the weather conditions don't worry Martin so much heading into Sunday's contest, he admits there will be some added focus on preparing for the Buffalo defense, having not played them in four years.
"You have to be on the details a little bit more when you're watching the film," said Martin during his weekly appearance on "GBag Nation" on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. "Buffalo, I don't think we've played since 2019, so we've got to put a little extra time there in the film room and really hone in on the details. On defense, they've got some of the same guys, so definitely taking a look at that film."
Dating back to the Bills' 26-15 win over the Cowboys in 2019 at AT&T Stadium, a total of eight defensive players that in that contest still remain on the roster for Buffalo four years later. However, Buffalo will not have the services of cornerback Tre'Davious White, linebacker Matt Milano and safety Micah Hyde, who are all dealing with injuries.
An obvious focus for Martin this coming week will be on the notable names up-front for the Bills. Despite Buffalo not ranking as high as in years past defensively in 2023, Martin says there still has to be some respect thrown Buffalo's way.
"It's the trend in the NFL: Every team has got a really good defensive line and some premiere-type players," the veteran guard said. "When you turn the tape on Ed Oliver, 91, he just jumps off the film, elite quickness for an interior guy. And then you've got Jordan Phillips, they brought in Linval Joseph for some beef in there. And then obviously the guys on the edge: [Leonard] Floyd's having a nice year, Von [Miller] and those guys. So when you turn the tape on, it's a group that really leans on that front-four."
The Bills and Cowboys will kick off at 4:25 p.m. EST this Sunday.