Dallas Offense Must Improve For 2026

[DallasEast]

Fortune-telling answers for some possible follow-up questions...No, I did not care about redzone conversions, touchdowns, etc.

Red zone scoring too!

 

[zrinkill]

There is only one way to improve this offense in the playoffs ....... and everyone knows what that is.

 

[fivetwos]

Wouldn’t mind seeing them get back to where they are outstanding at winning TOP, as they were with Murray and early Zeke. That ought to help the new defense be more effective sooner than later.

Yeah…..like 400 things need to go right, but it’s not as if there’s a feeling of zero chance. Probably why I rate JWill as a player that should rank high on the ‘would be missed’ list. If he somehow is lost at any point before the deadline, they will likely have to make a trade. Even if whatever Blues problem actually is rectifies itself, he probably can’t fill that role.

 

[Coogiguy03]

From a basic search:
The Dallas Cowboys finished the 2025 NFL season with a red zone touchdown percentage of roughly 45.5%, which placed them among the bottom tier of the league.

Dallas has been middle of the pack in redzone efficiency for years....

That's why love the fact that we have a great kicker FG fest 2026 coming soon baby!!!!!!!!

 

[Coogiguy03]

There is only one way to improve this offense in the playoffs ....... and everyone knows what that is.

tell us now!!!!!

 

[Ironicalicon]

Yeah, if you watched every game last season you don't even have to see those numbers. The offense definitely had its share of hiccups and bog-downs. That said, overall, it was pretty good. Hard to ask it to much more, but I will and we should.

 

[DuncanIso]

Our LT can’t pass block.

 

[starman22]

Our LT can’t pass block.

Overton?

 

[krs1bro]

Nice post for sure! I'm worried about the tackles this season. I hope Guyton and Steele don't blow this season up for us in a bad way. Just worrisome with these two.

 

[Bobhaze]

I have a feeling I probably read another member like @Bobhaze, @xwalker, etc., having already posted this or something similar, lol. However, I thought it was worth looking at how well last season's offense assisted its pathetic defense in terms of keeping drives alive and controlling time of possession.

For that reason, I compared whether Dallas' third-down conversion rate in each game was above or below its season average. The same was done for each of its opponents. Dallas' overall record for each situation is also noted.

[Fortune-telling answers for some possible follow-up questions: "-FD" columns are totals for third downs converted successfully by rush, pass, and penalty. No, I did not care about redzone conversions, touchdowns, etc. No, I did not care to do the same for all Dallas opponents' 2025 games for comparison. The answer is likely no for other questions too.]

Sources: https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2025/#all_team_conversions, stathead.com


Both teams' offenses performed at or above their average third-down conversion rate (Dallas record 5-4)

Week	Dallas-3D%	Opp	Opp3D%	Result	Rsh-FD	Pass-FD	Pen-FD
1​	63.6​	@PHI	61.5​	L 20-24	7​	9​	6​
2​	42.9​	NYG	42.9​	W 40-37 (OT)	8​	18​	6​
5​	46.2​	@NYJ	43.8​	W 37-22	9​	12​	1​
6​	41.7​	@car	37.5​	L 27-30	1​	12​	2​
7​	50.0​	WAS	43.8​	W 44-22	7​	11​	3​
9​	41.7​	ARI	53.8​	L 17-27	8​	14​	0​
12​	41.7​	PHI	41.7​	W 24-21	6​	16​	3​
13​	56.3​	KAN	38.5​	W 31-28	3​	15​	5​
16​	44.4​	LAC	63.6​	L 17-34	4​	13​	1​

Both offenses performed below their season average 3D conversion rate (Dallas record 2-2)

Week	Dallas-3D%	Opp	Opp3D%	Result	Rsh-FD	Pass-FD	Pen-FD
11​	40.0​	@LVR	25.0​	W 33-16	7​	16​	1​
14​	40.0​	@DET	37.5​	L 30-44	7​	17​	1​
15​	16.7​	MIN	22.2​	L 26-34	12​	12​	1​
17​	40.0​	@WAS	16.7​	W 30-23	10​	13​	5​

Dallas offense performed below their season average 3D conversion rate & their opponent's offense performed above their season average 3D conversion rate (Dallas record 0-3-1)

Week	Dallas-3D%	Opp	Opp3D%	Result	Rsh-FD	Pass-FD	Pen-FD
3​	27.3​	@CHI	57.1​	L 14-31	6​	14​	3​
4​	36.4​	GNB	71.4​	T 40-40 (OT)	8​	17​	1​
8​	36.4​	@DEN	62.5​	L 24-44	8​	12​	4​
18​	25.0​	@NYG	57.1​	L 17-34	9​	8​	1​

Dallas offense performed above their average 3D conversion rate & their opponent's offense performed below their average 3D conversion rate (Dallas record n/a - never happened) < Methinks this is the worst indictment of the four situations and solely against the defense last season, in my opinion. No help at all, despite any particular game when the offense had been executing well.

Excellent post my friend. There are far too many assumptions made that all this team needs is a better defense.

Obviously defense is the squeaky wheel on this team, but you can never assume everything that was good last year will be as good this year.

Our offense was very good last year but was constantly placed in the bad position of having to score on every possession. As you have pointed out here very well, the third down conversion rates can and hopefully will improve.

I want to see a Cowboys offense not constantly starting the game or half down a score. That will help a lot too, lol.

 

[dupree89]

tell us now!!!!!

i think he means putting up curtains

 

[deerhunter11]

Excellent post.

The prevailing topic all offseason was about improving the defense, for good reason. The offense in 2025 was very good, but far from perfect. Some things need to improve (including red zone efficiency as well) for this team to get where they need to go.

When this team sees improvement at offensive tackle you will get the improvement on offense that we all desire to watch. Offensive tackle play must improve, pass blocking is weak on both sides with Steel and Guyton. A good free agent tackle is still a need big need and would help considerably.

 

[deerhunter11]

Wouldn’t mind seeing them get back to where they are outstanding at winning TOP, as they were with Murray and early Zeke. That ought to help the new defense be more effective sooner than later.

Yeah…..like 400 things need to go right, but it’s not as if there’s a feeling of zero chance. Probably why I rate JWill as a player that should rank high on the ‘would be missed’ list. If he somehow is lost at any point before the deadline, they will likely have to make a trade. Even if whatever Blues problem actually is rectifies itself, he probably can’t fill that role.

Good post, Tyler Booker is listed at 6-5 330, Booker played well last year, and this year should be stronger. So, if Dallas can get some better play at both offensive tackle spots, winning TOP could very well be a possibility more often this season. Dallas is strong on the interior but weak at tackle with Steel and Guyton. How good is Decker with the Lions could he help, what would he cost this season if Dallas signed him.

 

[Rockport]

Redzone offense especially.

 

[Cowboys5217]

Don't make the colossal mistake of just assuming the offense will pick right back up. Everyone, including the already aged QB is a year older. Lots of factors can make this a very average offense over night.

 

[Jarntt]

So the premise is the Dallas offense needs to get better, but the basis/proof for that uses the performance of last years putrid defense as part of the metric? That really doesn't prove anything unless I'm not understanding. If this year's Offense is exactly the same as last years and this years defense is much better than last years then if I am understanding the stat being used, when both perform above their 3rd down conversion rate, we likely have a better record. Plus it is using one stat as the basis for projecting out a record when it isn't that simple. it ignores turnovers, big plays TDs vs FGs (you did mention Red Zone performance) and many other stats that could be used to come up with maybe a similar outcome or maybe a very different outcome. Point being maybe it means something and maybe it doesn't but most likely there is nothing more than a correlation. But I found it interesting, so thanks for taking the time and posting it.

 

[DallasEast]

So the premise is the Dallas offense needs to get better, but the basis/proof for that uses the performance of last years putrid defense as part of the metric?

I stated the premise as:

However, I thought it was worth looking at how well last season's offense assisted its pathetic defense in terms of keeping drives alive and controlling time of possession.

...and I never categorized my comments as 'proof'. They are an opinion only. My opinion is that an offense, whether its companion defense is ranked 32nd, 1st, or anywhere in between, must keep its drives alive and control TOP.

These responsibilities are the offense's and the offense's alone. The defense has zero impact on the offense to effectively execute its plays and vice versa. It is completely true that every opposing defense is attempting to mitigate an offense's execution. It is also true, again, that an offense must strive to be the best it can be. In short:

• Convert 3rd downs and
• Maximize time of possession

These goals increase an offense's opportunities to score, while reducing the minutes its defense is on the field against an opponent. It also impacts the opposing offense's scoring opportunities.

But I found it interesting, so thanks for taking the time and posting it.

Gracias.

 

[DuncanIso]

So the premise is the Dallas offense needs to get better, but the basis/proof for that uses the performance of last years putrid defense as part of the metric? That really doesn't prove anything unless I'm not understanding. If this year's Offense is exactly the same as last years and this years defense is much better than last years then if I am understanding the stat being used, when both perform above their 3rd down conversion rate, we likely have a better record. Plus it is using one stat as the basis for projecting out a record when it isn't that simple. it ignores turnovers, big plays TDs vs FGs (you did mention Red Zone performance) and many other stats that could be used to come up with maybe a similar outcome or maybe a very different outcome. Point being maybe it means something and maybe it doesn't but most likely there is nothing more than a correlation. But I found it interesting, so thanks for taking the time and posting it.

LT is a 1st round bust.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

It’s like the offense was getting the ball back, more often, because the other team
was scoring so fast
I was trying to find time of possession for the offense compared to other opponents defenses

Did WE...ever..."score too fast"?

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

Yeah, if you watched every game last season you don't even have to see those numbers. The offense definitely had its share of hiccups and bog-downs. That said, overall, it was pretty good. Hard to ask it to much more, but I will and we should.

It can't be just "overall".

They have to have an eye of the tiger...a sniper ace..mentaltiy. They perform well when there's no pressure. But average in when we need them MOST.... and it's "pretty good".

Can't excel under intense pressure....is not elite. It's "pretty good".