Dallas Cowboys: Here’s why you should be worried
The Dallas Cowboys weren’t prepared for the for a surging Indianapolis Colt team. Luckily, it isn’t the time to panic just yet, but you should be worried.
After the Dallas Cowboys opening possession ended with a blocked field goal on Sunday, the Indianapolis Colts controlled the Week 15 matchup from start to finish. From that point on the Cowboys were playing from behind against a team desperate to stay in the playoff hunt.
Dallas is lucky they were two games up in the division but they should be worried after what happened in this game. And so should you!
One would think that the Cowboys would have come on with the desire to come out of this game win to clinch the division. Unfortunately, for the Cowboys they went up against two coaches, head coach Frank Reich who knows how to attack Dallas’ defense and former Cowboys linebacker coach and new Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus knew their offensive system and how to defend it.
The Colts were able to exploit the Cowboys interior offensive line pushing the pocket back not giving quarterback Dak Prescott the time he has grown accustomed to over their five-game winning streak. Prescott would finish the game going 24/39 for 206 yards and an interception. It wasn’t easy for running back Ezekiel Elliott either who ended the day with just 87 yards and 18 carries. Elliott seemed to always have a defender in his face in the backfield.
This game showed how much the Cowboys missed right guard Zack Martin how much trouble the could be in if they don’t get him back next week. Dallas could also be without starting left guard Xavier Su’a-Filo after he left the game and was sent to the hospital with an eye injury. He would be replaced by guard Adam Redmond. Offensive line coach Marc Colombo is going to have his work cut out for him with the injuries mounting.
While the Dallas Cowboys offense struggled it was a tough day for the defense as well. The Colts offense was able to keep the Cowboys talented defensive line at bay. Using double teams on defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence most of the game. The rest of the Cowboys defensive line wasn’t able to get near quarterback Andrew Luck.
The Colts also used a lot of motion to manipulate Cowboys defense forcing linebackers Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith on their speedy wide receivers. And if the play wasn’t their Luck would pass it to running backs Marlon Mack and Nyheim Hines who constantly made the Cowboy cornerbacks and safeties miss in space. Mack and Hines combined for 213 total yards and two touchdowns on the day.
Next. Dallas Cowboys - 5 Best Free Agent Signings Of All Time. dark
In the end, the reason we should be worried is due to the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff being out coached and the once again showing that if this team falls behind early they don’t seem to know how to adjust and get back on track.