Dallas Cowboys: Barometers to reach for playoff success

Along the journey to a return to playoff glory, the Dallas Cowboys must approach key barometers set by 2018’s best teams.

The 2019 Dallas Cowboys season is already drenched in fan and even owner expectations. After 23 seasons without a taste of the NFC Championship Game, America’s Team faces known pressure to reclaim past glory.

Hunger in the locker room is evident and the roster is stocked with capable talent. Finally, the team and Cowboys Nation have embraced a no more excuses mentality.

With the Cowboys sights set on a deep playoff run, it’s important to recognize where improvement is needed to match the four teams who achieved that goal last season.

POCKET PROTECTION (SACKS ALLOWED)

2. New Orleans – 20

3. New England – 21

5. Kansas City – 26

8. Los Angeles – 33

31. Dallas – 56

Dallas allowed a whopping 23 more sacks than the worst pass protecting team among championship game participants. With Travis Frederick back anchoring the line and Connor Williams adding mass, pocket protection must improve drastically.

RED ZONE (IN)EFFICIENCY

2. Kansas City – 51 TD’s / 71 trips (71.8%)

4. New Orleans – 48 TD’s / 69 trips (69.6%)

15. New England – 34 TD’s / 57 trips (59.6%)

18. Los Angeles – 46 TD’s / 80 trips (57.5%)

29. Dallas – 24 TD’s / 50 trips (48.0%)

The Patriots and Rams weren’t elite at converting touchdowns from inside the twenty yard line. However, New England’s 4th ranked scoring offense offset that by having the most scores from further distance of the group.

Los Angeles’ 2nd ranked scoring offense covered the gap by having the most trips (80) inside the red zone. Their touchdown percentage was below average, yet their total number of red zone scores only trailed Kansas City by five. In comparison, Dallas scored 27 fewer red zone touchdowns than the Chiefs.

The Cowboys offense ranked 29th in scoring touchdowns inside the red zone. Unlike the Rams and Patriots, their overall scoring offense (22nd) failed to cover the difference with a large number of trips (50) or scoring well at greater distance.

TURNOVER MARGIN (STEALING WINS)

4. Los Angeles – 30/19 (+11)

5. New England – 28/18 (+10)

6. Kansas City – 27/18 (+9)

7. New Orleans – 24/16 (+8)

12. Dallas – 20/17 (+3)

The Cowboys were respectable in turnover margin with three more takeaways than they gifted. It remains telling the four championship game teams finished in the top 7 in this category. Also, all seven team leaders in turnover margin made the playoffs.

It’s also worth mentioning Los Angeles, the team who ended Dallas’ season, had 10 more takeaways and a +8 advantage over the Cowboys in turnover margin.