Dallas Cowboys: 3 stats help reveal the inept offense

Beyond ranking 30th in points put on the scoreboard, the ineptness of the Dallas Cowboys offense is revealed through three key stats.

After scoring only 16.6 points per game through five weeks, just two other NFL teams have been inferior to the Dallas Cowboys in the points department.

Last season’s 14th ranked scoring offense recorded 5.5 more points per contest. Add that per game bump to the scoreboard this year and a 3-2 record would appear.

It’s worth noting the current unit starts five new faces and is a far cry from 2017. Replacing Dez Bryant, Terrance Williams, Jason Witten, Travis Frederick, and Jonathan Cooper all in one swoop was apparently a task way too tall for this front office.

Let’s take a look at three stats that clearly reveal the absurd drop off in one season.

SACKS ALLOWED ON A HORRID PACE

Dak Prescott has already been sacked 16 times (3.2 per game) this season. Only seven offenses have surrendered more. Dallas is on pace to allow an absurd 51 sacks in a run-focused offense.

Such a bloated sack total would be 19 more than 2017 and 23 above 2016. Even more embarrassing, it would be the most since the 2002 team allowed 54 sacks.

The problem is an ugly combination of mishaps. Two new line starters plus a decline in both tackles is causing leaks. Prescott often holds the ball too long and doesn’t slide around in the pocket efficiently to create his own space. There’s also a lack of receivers winning separation from defenders.

CAN’T CONVERT TO MOVE THE CHAINS

Of the ten least productive teams at converting third downs, only two have a winning record. Offenses that can’t move the chains with reasonable consistency are more destructive to the scoreboard and sap the longevity out of their defense.

The Cowboys rank 30th in the league with only 17 conversions in 60 third-down tries (28.3%). Just a season ago Dallas ranked 5th with 42.9% conversions. Yet another monumental drop-off is revealed.

LEADING RECEIVER FELL OFF THE MAP

The Cowboys most productive wide receiver doesn’t come close to cracking the top 50 in receiving yards. Cole Beasley‘s 193 receiving yards are fewer than 78 other players, including the 49ers fullback.

So what, this offense employs a ‘receiver by committee’ strategy designed to spread the ball around?  The committee of misfit WR toys ranks 28th in receiving yards (961).

Going a step further, if combining receiving yards for Dallas’ top three wideouts (420), there are still 15 individual players with a higher total. No excuses can justify that.