The Dallas Cowboys got back on track in Week 2 of the 2026 NFL season with a fairly dominant NFC East win over the Washington Commanders. But Brian Schottenheimer's team isn't out of the woods yet with their early inconsistencies, and the team's struggling run game is at the center of their woes.
Thanks to a vintage Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb performance on Sunday, the offense still put up a blistering 37 points, with all four touchdowns coming through the air. But reliance on the passing attack alone is not a recipe for success; Dallas can't be so one-dimensional.
With the Baltimore Ravens... coming to town? Meeting us there? The road won't be any easier for the run game, as Jesse Minter's unit is stout and full of surprises. And another obstacle has been thrown in the Cowboys' way: the return of All-Pro and Pro Bowl defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike.
Dallas Cowboys' run game has struggled through first two games of 2026
There is no need to sugarcoat it: Dallas' ground game has been abysmal through the first two contests. A look at the composite stats tell the story, as the Cowboys have collected just 135 rushing yards on 40 carries, meaning they are averaging just over 3.3 yards per carry.
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Williams' EPA per rush is -3.7, and Demercado's is -1.5. They are not making the most of what they have, as Williams has two rushing yards fewer than expected, and Demercado has just one more. And using Lamb in the run game is not a solution.
Of course, the loss of Tyler Smith plays a big factor here, as the Cowboys have especially struggled running the ball in between the tackles. But the backs have to do a better job of making something out of nothing to get this ground attack going, or teams won't load the box and will stop the pass.
Return of Ravens' Nnamdi Madubuike makes Cowboys' challenge even tougher
Baltimore struggled to contain Jonathan Taylor in Week 1, who is one of the NFL's elite running backs. He gallavanted for 98 rushing yards and two touchdowns on a mere 18 carries, which is a 5.2-yard-per-rush clip. And he did so without breaking a big run to fudge the numbers.
In Week 2, though, Minter and his crew tightened up against what should have been a solid New Orleans Saints rushing attack, led by Travis Etienne Jr., Alvin Kamara, and a mobile QB in Tyler Shough. They shut them down to the tune of just 65 yards on 27 carries, which is 2.4 yards a pop.
And now, they get Madubuike back, according to Baltimore reporter Jamison Hensley. Ravens DC Anthony Weaver said that Madubuike looked more comfortable in practice on Thursday, so if he does make his return after roughly a year away from the game due to a neck injury, that is tough for Dallas.
Before his injury, Madubuike was an All-Pro and Pro Bowl-level defensive tackle in 2023 and 2024, and although his calling card is his ability to get after the passer, he is a force in the run game as well, and he can line up all over the Ravens' front. With Minter calling plays, that could be an issue.
Last season, Madubuike had a 69.9 run grade according to PFF, and he made four stops in just a game and some change. In 2025, he totaled 30 run stops, and the year before that, 42. If he does play on Sunday, then that hinders the Cowboys' ability to get back on track with the run game.
Yet another obstacle for Brian Schottenheimer and his team, who didn't exactly have a clear path to a resurgence anyway.
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