3 things the Cowboys must improve on offense after the Week 7 bye
3. Running the ball more efficiently
The Cowboys running game through the first six games has not been good. It seems like 80% of the team’s rush attempts are up the middle for a 1-2 yard gain. That was extremely evident in Dallas’ Week 6 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
In Week 6, quarterback Dak Prescott was the team’s leading rusher with 40 yards. The two Dallas backs, Tony Pollard and Rico Dowdle, combined for just 18 carries for 42 (2.33 yards per carry) in the contest.
Moving forward, Dallas has to be more efficient with their rushing attack, especially finding ways to get Pollard the ball outside the numbers on carries.
Pollard has always been an explosive back since he entered the league in 2019. In three of his first four seasons, the 26-year-old finished the year with over five yards per carry. Even in 2020, his 4.3 yards per carry was right around the league average.
Yet this year, Pollard has not been as explosive and has really struggled to give Dallas huge plays on the ground. It could be related to his offseason surgery to repair his broken fibula. But it could also be related to the poor rush designs.
This week a big question I got was “could the ankle fracture be a reason Tony Pollard isn’t producing?”
— Edwin Porras, DPT (@FBInjuryDoc) October 17, 2023
A legitimate and understandable question but my answer has been no. And, well. pic.twitter.com/b9n9RNKfAe
After finishing tied for fifth among all running backs with 5.2 yards per carry in 2022, Pollard is averaging a mere 3.9 yards per carry this year. Over his last three contests, the Cowboys running back also hasn’t topped 50 rush yards in any game.
The Cowboys need to do a better job at running the football. It’s been a disappointment, and they’ll need to improve on this with some big games upcoming.