Dallas Cowboys Jason Garrett finally gambles, almost to a fault

Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett showed a seldom seen, risk-taking, side of his coaching philosophy; and it almost cost him a win.

After a week of Cowboys Nation and the Dallas media criticizing the play calling as to vanilla in the wake of the loss to the New York Giants, Jason Garrett answered those critics Sunday in Washington. Unfortunately for him, he will most likely be criticized once again.

The same head coach who wasn’t creative enough in the red zone, perhaps tried to outsmart himself this week. Early in the game with the Cowboys in the red zone, inside of the ten, Coach Garrett and the offense called three straight pass plays. The results were less than desirable as the Cowboys failed to punch in the ball for a score. Instead, settling for another field goal. One of far too many for as often as Garrett’s offense has found themselves in the red zone.

Then, late in the third quarter, after a Dallas scoring drive that spanned 75 yards Jason went for the Bill Cowher gamble. Dan Bailey attempted to surprise the Redskins with an onside kick in hopes of swaying all moment in the Cowboys favor. Unfortunately, the kick was terribly executed, failing to travel the mandatory ten yards, and Washington was given the ball with great field position.

The Dallas defense was able to hold strong once again once the ‘Skins got into the red zone after that kick. Had Kirk Cousins and the Washington offense been able to come away with seven points on that drive the narrative for the game is likely much different today.

Coach Garrett also decided to go for it on a fourth and one situation. Instead of trying to run it up the gut like many would assume he would try, he decided to use his athletic rookie quarterback. With Washington selling out to stop the run, Jason Garrett’s offense opted to boot leg Prescott out of the pocket and hit a wide open tight end for a huge gain.

It was a great call. A gutsy one at that. And perhaps it was just what the doctor ordered for a Dallas team who has endured much of the same since Tony Romo‘s sudden departure last season.

Now, if Garrett makes these calls and his team ends up on the losing side of things after the game; national media is likely calling for his head on a stake. But that is life within the NFL. Instead, his team found a way to do it. They found a way to win and be creative. And take risks along the way.

It was a side of Jason Garrett seldom seen in his time as the head coach of the Cowboys. It was a side of the head coach that many had been begging to see. “Open things up on offense. Take some chances on defense.” Perhaps, Garrett felt outside pressure to inject some life into his game plan. Or perhaps, it was just the right opponent at the right time.

Only time will tell how the Cowboys coaching staff approaches things as the season progresses.

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But for one week, with a tough road win against a division rival now on the team’s record, that is more than enough.

All hail Jason Garrett the risk-taker.