Something is wrong with Dak

Dak looks bad, but he's not missing a lot of open receivers. In many cases, nobody's getting open in time before the pocket collapses...so either has to check it down, or force it into a tight window (or take the sack).

So, Moore needs better play designs, or a larger variety of plays. The DBs seem to be jumping these oft-used patterns sometimes. The Cowboys WRs rarely criss-cross to cause natural pick plays like other offenses do to them. Why not? And not enough TE seam routes. And the running plays are all predictable. Need more toss plays, sweeps (only with Pollard), and why not some pro-sets with 2 RBs? Why not have Zeke and Pollard in there together, and use play action to get Pollard into a route, but keep Zeke into block? I just don't think Moore's getting the most out of this talent.

I'm not saying being an OC is easy, but it's your only job, so we have to expect improvement...and Moore's not really getting better. No way could I count on Moore to design a playoff game plan to take advantage of an opposing defense. I just don't see it right now.

Maybe this defense could carry us (defense wins championships, right?), but I don't trust that either. Yes, this defense is getting turnovers, but they're definitely not consistently stout. Without turnovers, the other team is going to move the ball.

But, hey, they're 8-4, leading the division, with everything in front of them...so it's up to the OC, DC, HC and the players to get better and gather some momentum heading into the playoffs. If they don't win the weak NFC East, then the whole coaching staff should be terminated as soon as the season concludes.

Big_C_KU said:

Hill threw 4 ints tonight and still felt like he outplayed Dak in tonight’s game.

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Not even close,
Actually the analysis on NFLN are saying Dak played a good game for going into NO and gutting out a win.
Yes they struggled at times and were sloppy at times. On both sides of the ball. But they actually played a good game as it is a tough environment.

I don't think it's the calf. He looked phenomenal at times tonight and others not so good. Whatever is going on, it's in his head. Could be the leaky line getting to him or the lack of called run plays but whatever it is he needs to sort it out ASAP. The win tonight was huge and he really only made one mistake but it's like he's gun shy and that's not the Dak we're used to seeing.

Kellen is doing him no favors. The lack of even attempting to run the ball is more than just a trend now and it's causing unnecessary problems for the line, the backs, and the QB. If this hasn't been addressed behind the scenes already, heads need to roll. Not an excuse for 4's poor play but it has become a major problem and I don't understand it.

Aulac said:

Because they are the Lions, they have a head coach who doesn't even know the NFL rule. Goff played all season without a single starting WR until Reynolds where he did more than enough to win them the game. Imagine if Goff had Gallup, Cooper, and Lamb? Just Imagine that. Now Imagine if Dak had Kalif Raymond, Amon Ra St. Brown, and Trinity Benson instead lmao. Guys who can't even catch balls that are perfectly place and are all short receivers.

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If Goff was so great, then why did the Rams decide to trade him away? Seems like you are willing to give Goff a bunch of excuses, as if he didn't already have his chance on a good Rams team and you're acting like he played on the Lions his whole career. Making excuses for Goff, but if Dak was on the Lions, then you would just say that any struggles there would be your proof that he is a "bad QB."

You still don't make sense and neither does any Dak hater or critic, who calls Dak a "bad QB" or "bus driver" QB and yet believes another NFL team would give up their top draft picks or another elite NFL player on their team in order to get Dak from the Cowboys. If these NFL GMs, who know more about players and what they are worth, than some fans on a forum would, why would they give up a Number one draft pick or an elite player on their team. for a QB who isn't good or is "trash" Like you Dak critics insist that Dak is? Why would they trade away a QB who is clearly suppose to be so much better, if these NFL GMs were to agree with a bunch of fans on the internet who are Anti-Dak or don't believe Dak to be a good QB?

1) Agree OP. He looks lost and won’t run 2) Blame Partly goes on Moore. He needs 6 all pros to run the offense. One guy is out snd it stumbles. First game showed what can happen if quick hit snd throw all over. Now long drawn out plays. Dumb overall

Zordon said:

The confidence, command, and poise from the 1st half of the season is gone. He's playing like he doesn't trust his oline and what he's seeing downfield. Also, what's up with all the communication issues with his receivers the last few weeks? I know they won't admit it, but I believe Fangio exposed some weaknesses in this offense.

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I am going to pretend to meet you in a bar and watch a game with you, but will leave you hanging because you are a downer.

Yoshimitsu said:

The offensive line is a weakness. Dak is taking some hits and looks shaky.

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It starts with the OLine.

Dallas isn't running the ball well. The run game isn't scaring anyone, so they're loading the box and bringing pressure to rush Dak and he looks rattled at times

Romo_To_Dez said:

If Goff was so great, then why did the Rams decide to trade him away? Seems like you are willing to give Goff a bunch of excuses, as if he didn't already have his chance on a good Rams team and you're acting like he played on the Lions his whole career. Making excuses for Goff, but if Dak was on the Lions, then you would just say that any struggles there would be your proof that he is a "bad QB."

You still don't make sense and neither does any Dak hater or critic, who calls Dak a "bad QB" or "bus driver" QB and yet believes another NFL team would give up their top draft picks or another elite NFL player on their team in order to get Dak from the Cowboys. If these NFL GMs, who know more about players and what they are worth, than some fans on a forum would, why would they give up a Number one draft pick or an elite player on their team. for a QB who isn't good or is "trash" Like you Dak critics insist that Dak is? Why would they trade away a QB who is clearly suppose to be so much better, if these NFL GMs were to agree with a bunch of fans on the internet who are Anti-Dak or don't believe Dak to be a good QB?

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We don't even have a real GM, there is your answer. So Goff is no longer on the Rams and yet they seem to be even worst without him. He never lost three straight games or to the Cardinals. So what does that say about the Rams?

Goff didn't win it all but he literally took the Rams to the SB without Gurley or Kupp. You think Dak can take the Cowboys to the SB (LOL) without Cooper and Lamb? I'm not even sure Stafford can take the Rams to the SB if he was their QB in 2018. Their defense was rank 23rd that year. McVay has the exact same win/loss without Goff, and the Rams are in the same position as last year.

I never get why Dak is immune from criticism from some people. Yes we won… yes we’re 8-4. But if dak plays like he’s played recently come playoff time we’ll be one and done.I’m confident he can get back to paying well again but it’s a bit worrisome

Remember the minor shoulder problem
It's still here

It’s the coverages the defenses are using against us.

Every team does the same thing with the man to man coverage and Dallas still doesn’t have an answer.


Right now Kellen Moore scheming this is problem #1 and Dak is just an extension of that problem.

jazzcat22 said:

Not even close,
Actually the analysis on NFLN are saying Dak played a good game for going into NO and gutting out a win.
Yes they struggled at times and were sloppy at times. On both sides of the ball. But they actually played a good game as it is a tough environment.

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The thing is that if Dak put up 400 yards and 5 TDs in a losing effort. Then there would be some on this forum mocking him with the nickname "Stat Prescott" or claiming that his good game doesn't matter because the Cowboys lost.

I notice that they switch up their bashing of Dak.

If he throws for under 200 yards and the team wins, they'll claim that it wasn't Dak would won the game and he got "carried" to a win or the team won despite of him. And will say that his performance wasn't impressive because he didn't throw for a ton of yards or multiple TDs.

But, if he gets a bunch of stats and yards, lights up in opposing defense, but the Cowboys lose, then they'll say that it doesn't matter because wins should matter more than stats.

Yet now they're going to act like stats suddenly matter to them again, when they can use it to bash or discredit a win the Cowboys got while Dak didn't have his best game or put up big numbers.

Zordon said:

The confidence, command, and poise from the 1st half of the season is gone. He's playing like he doesn't trust his oline and what he's seeing downfield. Also, what's up with all the communication issues with his receivers the last few weeks? I know they won't admit it, but I believe Fangio exposed some weaknesses in this offense.

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Something is wrong with you. You don’t understand football. If you can’t run the ball, you’re not going to be successful. Hell, they can’t even protect Dak. So yeah, there’s something wrong with you because you don’t understand football 101. But don’t feel bad, you have a lot of company here.

nightrain said:

Maybe Steele and Williams can right the ship.

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Things going off the rails seem to coincide with Williams’ benching. You may be on to something.

Rockport said:

Something is wrong with you. You don’t understand football. If you can’t run the ball, you’re not going to be successful. Hell, they can’t even protect Dak. So yeah, there’s something wrong with you because you don’t understand football 101. But don’t feel bad, you have a lot of company here.

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Shut up.

Zordon said:

The confidence, command, and poise from the 1st half of the season is gone. He's playing like he doesn't trust his oline and what he's seeing downfield. Also, what's up with all the communication issues with his receivers the last few weeks? I know they won't admit it, but I believe Fangio exposed some weaknesses in this offense.

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I dont care about stats, its all about winning.

Whiskey Cowboy said:

I don't think it's the calf. He looked phenomenal at times tonight and others not so good. Whatever is going on, it's in his head. Could be the leaky line getting to him or the lack of called run plays but whatever it is he needs to sort it out ASAP. The win tonight was huge and he really only made one mistake but it's like he's gun shy and that's not the Dak we're used to seeing.

Kellen is doing him no favors. The lack of even attempting to run the ball is more than just a trend now and it's causing unnecessary problems for the line, the backs, and the QB. If this hasn't been addressed behind the scenes already, heads need to roll. Not an excuse for 4's poor play but it has become a major problem and I don't understand it.

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I really agree with the second part. Moore seems reluctant to run the ball twice in a row in every situation. There is nothing wrong with 2 carries for 6-7 yards then passing for the first down on 3rd down But we never see that really.. Kellen does a lot of good things but he's too wedded to as someone suggested earlier a Boise State-type offense built entirely on cuteness or cleverness rather than efficiency or effectiveness.. Some of the former's fine but much more of the latter is needed now.

The first not as much - He was really terrific the first three quarters. I think the whole team not just Dak but including Dak got really uneasy going into the fourth quarter knowing how critical a win tonight really was now and could be later on. The d had only one pick the first three quarters and Hill was running right over them. Then after the pick (never should have been as blatant a roughing the Passer as you will see in today's NFL - unless you're a referee I guess.

This really reminds me of KC's slump which ended in a tough, tight win against the Giants - now everybody thinks KC may be the AFC team to beat again. In caouple of weeks we'll be 10-4 and everything will be fine again

he should have called a TO on that play where he threw the INT,nobody knew where to lineup and CD was even indicating that.

Aulac said:

We don't even have a real GM, there is your answer. So Goff is no longer on the Rams and yet they seem to be even worst without him. He never lost three straight games or to the Cardinals. So what does that say about the Rams?

Goff didn't win it all but he literally took the Rams to the SB without Gurley or Kupp. You think Dak can take the Cowboys to the SB (LOL) without Cooper and Lamb? I'm not even sure Stafford can take the Rams to the SB if he was their QB in 2018. Their defense was rank 23rd that year. McVay has the exact same win/loss without Goff, and the Rams are in the same position as last year.

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So Goff should get leniency and free passes if things aren't ideal for him or if he doesn't have the so called "perfect team" or game situations around him to help him out or if he is missing some of his offensive weapons, then he should be given a break? Yet when Dak it's "Win under these same not ideal or imperfect game situations and circumstances no matter what, because that is what elite or QBs are suppose to do."

The hoops that some go through to hold Dak to completely different standards, rules and expectations than you and others do compared to the QBs you favor, support or believe would be great on the Cowboys is mindboggling. Dak still held to higher standards, more than other QBs who have gotten paid big contracts, like Goff has been paid a big contract and QBs who were drafted higher than Dak was, like Goff was drafted in the first round. Yet some treat Dak like he is the first round pick and like other QBs should have 2nd, 3rd and 4th chances in the NFL to prove themselves in different situations or with different teams. While those same people are not willing to give Dak many chances.

Also the narrative was that Stafford was a QB who was said to be much better than Dak, who just needed a team better than the Lions to finally show what a great to elite QB he was. Now Stafford is on a better team. But the has thrown 3 pick sixes in back to back games, while the Rams are on a 3 game losing streak. Stafford has a big time losing record against winning teams and some blamed that all on him being on the Lions. Yet he is still losing to winning teams with the Rams. Stafford has been in the NFL for over 10 seasons and still has some fans willing to give him more chances to prove himself than they are willing to give to Dak, who is now in his 6th year.

Zordon said:

The confidence, command, and poise from the 1st half of the season is gone. He's playing like he doesn't trust his oline and what he's seeing downfield. Also, what's up with all the communication issues with his receivers the last few weeks? I know they won't admit it, but I believe Fangio exposed some weaknesses in this offense.

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Hello???

The Oline is playing like crap. They can't even get any push or open any holes for our running game. That should tell you everything.