Cowboys over Dolphins: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Week Three

The Ugly

For the second week in a row, Dak Prescott had an interception. For the second week in a row, his poor mechanics was the reason for the pick.

On the first play of the second quarter, the Cowboys lined up in an empty backfield with 11 personnel on the field (one running back, one tight end and three wide receivers) at their 38-yard line. Running back Ezekiel Elliott was lined up to Prescott’s right and motioned into the backfield.

Wide receiver Amari Cooper was split wide on the right side of the formation with tight end Blake Jarwin bunched on the left with wide receivers Devin Smith and Randall Cobb. The three receivers ran deep routes with Jarwin sneaking behind the offensive line for a short center outlet and Elliott running a short out to the left of the formation.

Prescott was lined up in a shotgun formation and dropped back to a nine-yard depth behind the line of scrimmage. The Dolphins rushed four but it was as if they rushed none.

Tackles Tyron Smith and La’el Collins and guard Connor Williams were singled up with three of the Dolphins while guard Zack Martin and center Travis Frederick double-teamed the fourth rusher. The closest would get about three yards away from Prescott while he was in the pocket.

Prescott rolled out to his right about six seconds after the snap. At the eight-second mark after the snap, Prescott launched the ball 34 yards downfield to the waiting hands of Dolphins safety Bobby McCain with the closest Cowboy, Randall Cobb about three yards away.

When Prescott launched the ball his right foot or back foot was parallel to the sideline and his left foot or front foot was in the air. The exact scenario occurred on his interception last week against Washington.

Quarterbacks coach Jon Kitna has been working with Prescott to get his back foot perpendicular to his intended target. When he does, his passes have been quite effective. When he reverts to poor mechanics, interceptions have been the norm.