Here’s how the Dallas Cowboys can improve their offense

We analyze the struggles of the Dallas Cowboys‘ offense and try to figure out how to flip the script and turn them into a contender in the NFC.

The Dallas Cowboys‘ offensive struggles have been well documented throughout this season. At times, they look explosive and unstoppable, but they lack any consistency. Recently they either march down the entire field but fail to score in the red zone, or they go three and out.

The offense is going to cost this team a chance at a deep playoff run unless they switch things around. What can the coaches do to turnaround this offense?

Identifying the Problem

A coaches job is to know their team. Once coaches understand what their players do well and what they door poorly, they can call plays to maximize their talents.

The Dallas Cowboys’ offensive line has been perhaps the most inconsistent piece of the puzzle. Xavier Su’a-Filo may be the biggest indicator of this disease. Su’a-Filo started at left guard against the Philadelphia Eagles after rookie, Connor Williams, injured his knee.

Su’a-Filo played very well for the first few weeks, but he has not been as exceptional as of late. In the past five weeks, Su’a-Filo has allowed 17 pressures and six sacks, per Pro Football Focus.

That is far from great. That is actually poor.

Now quarterback, Dak Prescott, also has not helped out his offensive line. At times, he holds the ball too long and does not step up in the pocket when the outside of the pocket bends at the back of his drop. However, when the interior of the offensive line is getting beat, Prescott cannot step up. This is when sacks happen, and Prescott looks like a chicken with his head cut off.

Now, when the Cowboys make it inside the twenty, they settle for field goals. The motto of every team should be “TDs not 3s”. The red zone problems, to me, start with the coaches disbelief in the offensive line.

Just remember the trick play, the toss to receiver, Amari Cooper. The play did not work because tight end, Dalton Schultz, failed to even lay hands on the defensive end. But, my main issue is that instead of trusting the offensive line and the best running back in the league (Ezekiel Elliott) on second and goal at the three-yard line!

That is asinine play-calling.

In times when the Cowboys decide to run the ball in the red zone, they try to use misdirection plays, and counter runs. These sort of plays take time to develop. Maybe the 2014 Dallas’ offensive line had the strength and speed to do this, but not this 2018 team.

These mistakes prove that offensive coordinator, Scott Linehan, does not trust the offensive line and Elliott to make a few yards.