5 takeaways from the Cowboys’ upset win over the Bengals in Week 2
![Sep 18, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy talks to offensive coordinator Kellen Moore before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports Sep 18, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy talks to offensive coordinator Kellen Moore before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports](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-2Fimagn-images-2F2018-2F08-2F19073465-850x560-4475a87f1304a7bd23dbf95a5456cb949faf25d5f5477f3ee323ffcae5ae531a.jpg)
2. Kellen Moore’s play-calling needs to improve
While Week 2 was not nearly the dumpster fire we saw in Week 1, the offense still did not look great. Now, I know, Cooper Rush is at quarterback, and he’s no Dak Prescott, but he was making some great plays at the beginning of the game.
The offense looked surprisingly explosive in the first quarter. The play-calling was great. It was more aggressive, which led to more downfield plays and creativity. However, once the second half came around, it was like Kellen Moore took the rest of the day off.
Cowboys OC Kellen Moore glowed when asked about Tyler Smith, the team’s rookie first-round pick who started past two games at left tackle. “I love him. I think he’s going to be awesome. …I love his play style.” pic.twitter.com/mehFdrcMjx
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) September 19, 2022
The offense became a lot more predictable after the first half. I can understand not wanting to make a mistake and allow the Bengals to get back in the game, but that doesn’t mean just running the ball up the middle on every play. They played scared, and that in itself literally allowed the Bengals back into the game.
It was so nice to see the offense moving the ball into enemy territory for once early in the game, but it needs to be more consistent than what we saw on Sunday. Moore is getting the right idea of what he needs to do, he just needs to keep it coming throughout all 60 minutes.