3 things the Cowboys must do to prepare for the 2022 NFL playoffs

1. Tighten Up the Trenches

One of the most critical battles in football comes in the trenches. The defensive and offensive line’s performance directly impacts every other position on the team. Both lines need to play at the top of their game for the Cowboys to succeed in the playoffs.

So far this season, they have both played well, though I’m sure you’ve heard a lot more praise for the defense. Both have their struggles and should look to limit them as much as possible.

On the offensive side, they’re doing the basics great. Dallas quarterbacks have been sacked only 15 times, which is the least in the NFL. That’s despite having a “raw prospect” start at left tackle in place of the injured Tyron Smith and questions at left guard.

That’s not to say the quarterbacks have not been pressured. They have an average time of 2.3 seconds in the pocket and get pressured on 21.1 percent of dropbacks. Both rank in the middle of the league.

The Cowboys have a Run Block Win Rate of 74% and a league-low Pass Block Win Rate of 46%

When looking at the run game, you’ll see the pattern continue. While Pollard and Zeke have been playing great, the offensive line has been below-average in making room for them. Rushers only average 2.6 yards before contact for Dallas.

With teams like the San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings being possible opponents on the path to the Super Bowl, getting an extra push up front would help a ton. The return of Tyron Smith at left tackle would be instrumental in improving the offensive line.

Shifting to the defensive line, they could shore up their run defense. They already dominate when pass-rushing. Now let’s close up the running lanes.

Dallas is giving up 4.6 yards per run, the ninth-most in the NFL. That is partly due to the line doing a lot of stunts. They give up some stability defending the run to get to the quarterback. That, in addition to leaning on only four rushers.

Considering how impressive the defense has played, I want the scheme to stay the same and cover the pass. The one thing I would change is to have the linebackers attack as a line. I’ve seen either only one linebacker attack or both sit back, which means momentum is against them.

Sitting back means momentum is moving against you, and the runner controls the space. If only one linebacker attacks, that makes a gap for the runner. If both attack together as a line, they will meet the runner’s momentum, close the space for them to run, and prevent gaps for the runner to break free.

There has been an improvement lately, as they held Jonathan Taylor and Saquon Barkley to under four yards per run in back-to-back weeks. They shouldn’t get too comfortable, though, as Dalvin Cook averaged 6.55 yards per run only three weeks ago (though much of it came during extended garbage time).

There are only five games left in the regular season. It may not be a large number of games, but just over a month should be enough time to ensure they head into the Wild Card round in their best form.

I’ve seen teams worse than the Dallas Cowboys make deep runs in the playoffs. This season, they have the coaching staff and personnel to at least make it to the NFC Conference Title Game. If not, it will be yet another disappointing ending for what appears to be a cursed team.

Micah Parsons rubs Cowboys’ ridiculous fourth quarter in Colts’ faces

The Cowboys outscored the Colts 33-0 in the fourth quarter en route to a 54-19 victory, and Micah Parsons made sure to let Indy know about it on Twitter.