3 changes the Cowboys need to make immediately to get back on track
By Randy Gurzi
At 3-2, the Dallas Cowboys are coming off their worst loss of the season against the San Francisco 49ers. Leading up to the game, they called this one a measuring stick contest but came out looking as though they're miles behind the true contenders.
This doesn't mean they have to go out of their way to change things. Instead, they can make a few tweaks to try and ensure they don't end up starting their offseason earlier than expected.
3. Get Jalen Tolbert involved on offense
Dallas was hoping to have a vastly improved passing game in 2023 after adding Brandin Cooks. They also had Michael Gallup feeling healthier with a full year separating him from his ACL injury.
However, after five games, both Cooks and Gallup have been major disappointments. Gallup enters Week 6 with just 15 receptions for 180 yards and has yet to record a touchdown. Those numbers tower over what Cooks has done, with the former Houston Texan catching just nine passes for 73 yards.
What's worse is, Gallup has brought in just 54.5 percent of the passes thrown his way while Cooks has a catch percentage of just 42.1. All three interceptions Prescott has thrown have been headed toward one of these two wideouts as well.
There's a lot that goes into this from play-calling to the quarterback making the right reads but one thing is certain, the rapport between Prescott and Cooks is non-existent and the passes to Gallup haven't been much better.
As for the younger wideouts, that's been a different case. Jalen Tolbert has brought in seven-of-nine targets (77.8 catch percentage) for 71 yards. KaVontae Turpin has caught five-of-six for 50 yards and a touchdown. Sure, the sample sizes for each are small but the offense has moved better when going to the younger playmakers.
Unfortunately, Turpin hurt his ankle but going forward, Dallas needs to make it a priority to get the ball to Tolbert more often. Then, when Turpin is back, do the same with him. Perhaps that will be what finally gives the offense a shot in the arm and alleviates some of the pressure on the shoulders of CeeDee Lamb.