Three reasons why the Dallas Cowboys 2018 season derailed
By Tyrone Starr
![INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 16: Head coach Jason Garrett of the Dallas Cowboys reacts after a play in the game against the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 16: Head coach Jason Garrett of the Dallas Cowboys reacts after a play in the game against the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fthelandryhat-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F1083440926-850x560-40732b5438b7848416da5fd03a1a4fc49cae3b4c8579ea1de31e4becef1a5073.jpg)
A slow start
For the second straight season, the Dallas Cowboys entered their bye week with a losing record.
In 2017, Dallas was 2-3 heading into their bye week.
More from The Landry Hat
- 3 ways Cowboys’ Dak Prescott can have a bounce-back season in 2023
- Cowboys News: Dallas sets pre-draft visit with potential Dalton Schultz upgrade
- NFL executives heaping praise on offseason is uncharted territory for Cowboys
- 3 free agent signings from NFC East rivals that left Cowboys fans laughing
- Cowboys News: Brandin Cooks sends flattering message to CeeDee Lamb, Stephon Gilmore
This year, they were 3-4. The Cowboys finished 7-2 this year to earn their playoff bid but slow starts have been a very steady indicator of failure for this franchise, especially under head coach Jason Garrett.
2018 marked the first time in his tenure that the Cowboys came out of a bye week with a losing record and made the playoffs. You don’t want to have to rely on epic runs to just get you into the tournament.
The biggest factor in the slow start was unquestionably the play of the offense.
In the six of the seven games before the Dallas Cowboys had a week off to mull over their late October losing record, they averaged just under 17 points per game. Had that trend continued, it would have been the fourth worst total in the league.
With some changes in the coaching staff, along with some sure to be changes in personnel, it will be imperative for the Dallas Cowboys to get things right in training camp and the preseason to avoid this issue in 2019.