The Dallas Cowboys lost in embarrassing fashion on Sunday, a 47-9 trouncing courtesy of the Detroit Lions. A lot didn’t go right for the Cowboys on that day. The defense has been under fire for most of the season and with more players unavailable, some of their struggles were expected.
What was not expected was the offense falling so flat. Not once did they find the end zone. It has Cowboys Nation asking many questions, and today we’ll look closer to see what we can learn after further review.
Running on empty
It’s hard to watch what the Cowboys have going on with the running game. Time and time again, it just looks like the running backs just throw themselves into the back of the blockers as there are very few running lanes to be found. The blockers cannot create creases and the running backs lack the agility and explosiveness to pop through the few holes they have.
Mike McCarthy continues to have this heightened sense of comfort when it comes to the Cowboys rushing attack and expects it to improve if they can just get more opportunities. Surely, he can’t be watching the same hot mess we’re watching, can he?
The Cowboys are dead last in the league in rushing yards and rushing yards per attempt with no signs of it getting better.
You’d have a better chance of finding Waldo in this video clip than a lane to run in. Our running backs never stood a chance. And in the Cowboys’ offense, blocking the edge defender is “optional.” Honestly, I can’t remember the running game ever being this bad. pic.twitter.com/6taJVUlbrS
— Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) October 15, 2024
Error in judgement
Without the threat of a rushing attack, all the pressure falls on Dak Prescott. Unfortunately, the Cowboys’ QB was not up to the task on Sunday. Prescott looked very uncomfortable in the pocket. He felt the pressure from the Lions’ defense and looked to get rid of the ball quickly. Many times, he’s just committed to his first read and let it rip. So much is made about Prescott’s tight-window throws, but he brings that on himself when he doesn’t even attempt to go through his progressions and throws to a covered receiver.
Too many times Dak Prescott became fixated on his target and let it fly whether he was open or not. Sometimes he didn’t even go through his reads, and when he did, he panicked. Dak looked very uncomfortable against the Lions. pic.twitter.com/jjDQt9ZeEU
— Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) October 15, 2024
Lack of Dakuracy
Prescott’s processing was just the tip of the iceberg for him on Sunday. There were times that Dak had guys open but just misfired on his throws. He didn’t have good footwork and would let passes go with an open stance, resulting in poor accuracy. He was off in all directions, throwing short, long, and behind his receivers. Just these slight ball placement mishaps were all the Lions needed to take advantage.
Dak was misfiring quite a bit in this game. Underthrown passes, overthrown passes, and passes behind the receiver. His footwork was sloppy and he repeatedly lost awareness of the Lions’ defenders. pic.twitter.com/STZpD2JRSz
— Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) October 15, 2024
Offensive line was outmatched
One reason Dak was so on edge in this game was because of all the pressure the Lions created. They did a fantastic job baffling the offensive line at the line of scrimmage. They would delay their rushes and have defenders flying around everywhere. The Cowboys’ offensive line struggled to pick up pass-rushing stunts and were overpowered at the point of attack. They gave veteran Zack Martin all sorts of fits as we can’t remember when he struggled this much in a game. The Cowboys’ offense repeatedly faced 3rd-and-long situations and the Lions’ defense showed no mercy.
Props to Detroit’s defense for confusing the Cowboys’ offensive line. They were beating them inside and out. Zack Martin struggled in this one and the Cowboys’ one-dimensional offense was under duress most of the night. pic.twitter.com/XRUFp9pIdf
— Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) October 15, 2024
Funny money on the money play
Even when the Cowboys had to dig deep for a good play, they just didn’t have it in them to come up with something good. A critical fourth down in their own territory resulted in a turnover on downs when the Cowboys came up empty on a very unimpressive play design that featured few options for Dak.
It’s 4th-and-short in your own territory, you gotta have this to stay in the game, and this is the best play you can come up with? I’m embarrassed. pic.twitter.com/Sc34wdzuhC
— Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) October 15, 2024
It was laughable
It’s one thing when the Lions come out and play well. Props to them. But it’s another thing when the offensive struggles are self-inflicted. At times, the passing game looked as if this was the first game Dak and Cee Lamb had played together. Passes went one way while receivers went somewhere else. The players aren’t doing their jobs and deserve blame, but one cannot help but wonder why the coaching staff doesn’t have them a little more organized. This shouldn’t be happening.
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