Jason Garrett says Dallas Cowboys make adjustments during the game

In Garrett’s press conference from late last month, several of the reporters noticed what I did – namely, that the Cowboys have been much better in the third quarter this season, and they seem to be adjusting better to their opponents’ defenses and offenses.

Garrett chalked these improvements up to poor execution in the first half. In fairness, it’s true that the Cowboys were pretty sloppy in the first half of the Miami Dolphins game. But it did also seem that the coaching staff made some smart adjustments as well.

Another reporter followed up, pointing out that Prescott hadn’t missed a pass in the third quarter in any of the first three games, a pretty amazing performance. Then he asked the question of the day: Are halftime adjustments a real thing? Is there anything to that?

Garrett agreed that, of course, halftime adjustments were important, which may surprise some fans. But then he said something truly surprising …

"“It’s not like we say: ‘Okay, we’re seeing all this stuff in the first half, but let’s wait until halftime to talk about it.’ Right? So, we have headsets on for a reason. We talk about what they’re doing after every play.”"

Garrett went on to describe this communication, that the coaches discuss what they see after every series, make predictions about what the opposing team might do next, and decide how to approach the subsequent series, on offense, defense, and special teams. Garrett elaborated … 

"“What you’re trying to do is have that mode of communication go on throughout the game. Play after play after play.”"

Garrett said that each time the offense comes off the field, the coaches discuss it, what will come next, how to clean it up, and how to best attack the opposing team. He went on to say that this process of evaluation goes on throughout the game and that they try to adjust and adapt until the last second ticks off the clock. Garrett went on to say that’s what the best teams do.