Like most of you I'm upset about the way in which the Cowboys lost to the Rams. Make no mistake the Cowboy's never really put themselves in a position to win that game. In fact I would argue that they did everything to lose the game. Ryan Switzer was reckless (some people would say aggressive) on the muffed punt. I say reckless because the Cowboys were up 17-6. If Switzer just fair catches that ball, at the very least the Cowboys keep the momentum. The best case for that situation is the Cowboys march down the field, like they did most of the first half, and score another touchdown to take a commanding lead. Switzer is a rookie and he wants, so bad, to make plays for his team. There isn't anything wrong with that. He has to understand that games aren't won and lost on one play. I don't want to pile on the rookie because I feel that the Cowboys are going to need the play making ability of Switzer. I do want to address this coaching staff.
Scott Linehan has to get more creative with this offense. The defense has won both of the Cowboys games. This offense has struggled all season. I first thought it was because the Broncos, Giants, and Cardinals have good defenses. After seeing what took place in the Rams game, I now think a trend is forming for the Cowboys that is going to cause them to miss the playoffs.
Dak Prescott is a weapon for this team, use him! He is at his best on the move. His ability to extend plays is the sole reason this offense is moving the ball. The run game isn't dominating. Dez isn't having the same impact on games he once had, although he played much better against the Rams. The offensive line is struggling. The only constant on the offense is Dak!
Dak is extending plays and allowing guys to get open. Dak is looking off safeties and freezing linebacking with his play action fakes. He is also escaping sacks in the pocket and scrambling for first downs. Let Dak be Dak, please! Prescott has shown that he can make every throw on the field. Some creativity on offense will open up opportunities for everyone else and take some the pressure off Dak.
The Chiefs use a ton of play action and misdirection screen plays. These plays allow the QB to use his athleticism to hold the rushers and give the play makers more room to work. Defenses have to account for Dak because he is a threat to run. No, Dak isn't a running QB, I'm not saying that. He does have the ability to make a defense pay for falling asleep. Russell Wilson isn't a running QB and the Seahawks use him in a similar way to slow down the pass rush. This offensive line is struggling because every defense that plays the Cowboys knows exactly where Dak is. They aren't chaning his launch spots, and the pass rushers don't have to account for any screen passes or misdirection plays. Give the pass rushers something to think about and they will have to slow down.
My other problem is getting the ball in the hands of your playmakers. Do you know how many offensive coordinators would love to have Dak, Dez, Zeke, Beasley, and that o line? We just watched Gurley go for over 200 yards, you don't think Zeke can he used in a similar way? I watch the Chiefs use Travis Kelce in the screen game, why can't they do the same with Dez. Getting the ball in the hands of your best players doesn't have to be done in a traditional manner. The traditional way hasn't worked, let's get nontraditional. We see the Cowboys motion Switzer, but never hand the ball off to him. Why would a defense be fooled if u never hand him the ball?
I'm no offensive guru and neither is Scott Linehan. I do understand football concepts. I also pay attention to trends. Using the running back out the backfield in the passing game creates mismatches in favor of the offense. It also gives the QB a chance to get the ball out of his hands quickly. That will get the QB in rhythm, help out the o line, and is an extension of the run game. This offense has to play better. The defense held the Rams to 7 field goal attempts. The Rams offense only scored two touchdowns. If this offense is able to move the ball more consistently the opponents offense won't have that many chances to kick field goals. The Rams came out in the second half and shut down the Cowboys. Wade Phillips knew the Cowboys weren't going to do anything on offense to surprise them. If the Cowboys want get this ship going, it's going to have to start on the offensive side of the ball.
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