18.7% on Third Down last 3 games. Worst in entire NFL. Something Is Wrong

[gmoney112]

They played the Vikes where they shot themselves in the foot all game (with a little home cookin') and had a lot of unfavorable down/distances, then they had a bad game @ Meadowlands against a defense that matches up very well against us, and a divisional opponent. Not exactly the best sample size.

They were 50% against the Skins before the Vikes game, and almost 60% against the Ravens before that.

There's nothing really to be that worried about.

 

[RJ_MacReady]

I haven't looked to be sure, but it seemed like every third down last night was long. And the pass blocking was not good.

That has been my observation for more than the past 3 games but I dare not bring it up. Watching several GB games this season, they pass block like this team used to do in 2014 all the while without Sitton. We may have a top run blocking team, but I don't believe the pass blocking is anywhere near the reputation they are given.

 

[jwooten15]

You could see us gradually getting to this.

We haven't been sharp and played with an edge for the better part of a month.

We're making mental errors and committing penalties that puts us behind the chains. Dak is not able to read the field right now, and he's panicking. And his lack of awareness for pressure in the pocket has been a huge detriment to the team.

We have completely abandoned the go-to plays with Witten's option routes and Cole underneath. I don't know if teams have figured out a way to defend it or not, but the lack of bread-and-butter plays is killing our rhythm.

 

[kramskoi]

A few things have happened.
1) they just played two of the league's better defenses, and two that match up particularly well with Dallas
2) those games were on the road in either a loud dome or poor weather
3) D coordinators are figuring out the pros and cons of Dak. It's always an iterative process. So now it's our turn to adjust to their adjustments...if we can.

Dallas has two good opponents coming up, but they are at home and the 'Boys will be favored.. Time to get rolling again.

You take care of business at home and all is well...but the trend on third down is disturbing. That is the money down in football, and an offense that can't get it done is going nowhere fast. You might have expected the type of outing that the Giants showed, but having the Dallas offense end up being the worst of the two is downright demoralizing given what the team has so far accomplished. Maybe it's just a perfect storm of bad road conditions finally catching up to Prescott and the offense, but they have been less than impressive since Thanksgiving.

 

[kramskoi]

They played the Vikes where they shot themselves in the foot all game (with a little home cookin') and had a lot of unfavorable down/distances, then they had a bad game @ Meadowlands against a defense that matches up very well against us, and a divisional opponent. Not exactly the best sample size.

They were 50% against the Skins before the Vikes game, and almost 60% against the Ravens before that.

There's nothing really to be that worried about.

I would not say that there is nothing to be worried about...not after the last two games...going 2 for 24 on third down. Prescott looked like a fourth round rookie last night. Period...and he didn't look much better against Minnesota.

 

[khiladi]

Amen.

I haven't looked to be sure, but it seemed like every third down last night was long. And the pass blocking was not good.

I think running every single first down is becoming part of problem.

Zeke had close to 90 yards in the first half. We were struggling because Dak was off.

 

[DFWJC]

You take care of business at home and all is well...but the trend on third down is disturbing. That is the money down in football, and an offense that can't get it done is going nowhere fast. You might have expected the type of outing that the Giants showed but having the Dallas offense end up being the worst of the two is downright demoralizing given what the team has so far accomplished. Maybe it's just a perfect storm of bad road conditions finally catching up to Prescott and the offense, but they have been less than impressive since Thanksgiving.

Yeah, they have some work to do.

The one TD we did have yesterday was a massive blown coverage (the Giants pulled the player for the rest of the game) on a "somewhat" trick play dial up by Linehan.

I'm expecting to see big improvement this week.

 

[khiladi]

That has been my observation for more than the past 3 games but I dare not bring it up. Watching several GB games this season, they pass block like this team used to do in 2014 all the while without Sitton. We may have a top run blocking team, but I don't believe the pass blocking is anywhere near the reputation they are given.

The OL was giving him plenty of time.. Dak wasn't moving well at all in the pocket..

 

[Craig]

Ive been told that outcome is all that matters. 2-1 and only lost by 3 points. Elite.

 

[Sydla]

Dallas is 2 for 26 on third down the last two weeks.

Where are all the digs and stuff to Beasley? Was a big part of our offense the first half of the year or so. Is it teams taking him away? Seems to me, and this is a complete guess, once Bryant came back, we seemed to get away from our bread and butter stuff in the passing game.

 

[JDSmith]

Eli was just as bad on 3rd downs. I think weather conditions had a lot to do with execution last night.

Eli came into the game with an 88 rating and the Giants offense is anemic. I'll bet their third down conversation rating is terrible to begin with. The weather wasn't holding them back. Just like it wasn't holding us back the last 3 games. It may be a little factor, but we played two games before this inside and still sucked.

 

[dfense]

Either Dak has been figured out or has hit a wall or something, but there is no reason we should be last in the entire NFL in converting third downs.

When the freaking Cleveland Browns can convert 3rd downs better than we can, there is a problem. This is what needs to be figured out and fixed, not the fact that we lost a game. Three games is a trend and this is not the type of trend you want to be setting in December when you should be hitting on all cylinders for the playoffs.

Now some will say that we are 11-2 so shut up about it................well that is fine, but there is a significant distinction between wins and losses vs. offensive performance. The Chicago Bears proved that a team can win a lot of games even if their offense sucks (see Rex Grossman), but it finally catches up to you in the end.

If we want to make a deep playoff run, this third down issue has to be corrected immediately, whatever the problem is. Streamline the plays, no huddle, different formations, or maybe different personnel and yes this includes Romo discussion.

Facts are not something people need right now. Excuses and blind faith are much more acceptable.

 

[TheHerd]

Zeke had close to 90 yards in the first half. We were struggling because Dak was off.

Yes, and then when the defense started to stop what was working, there is zero adjustment. Second half runs on first down netted 14 yards on 7 attempts.

 

[khiladi]

Yes, and then when the defense started to stop what was working, there is zero adjustment. Second half runs on first down netted 14 yards on 7 attempts.

Because the Giants took away the short field and started playing 6 men up front and daring Dak to beat them with the arm..

The QB has to do his job in those conditions.. he didn't..

 

[Doomsday]

The OL was giving him plenty of time.. Dak wasn't moving well at all in the pocket..

His mechanics were not good either. Earlier in the year he was standing in the pocket and going through his reads.

Last night he was drifting all over the place.

 

[pansophy]

People have realized that Dak's mechanics are poor enough that he can't make you pay for pressure. There is a reason Dak takes snaps from the shotgun.

He isn't making bad decisions as much as just not having the footwork to get the ball where it needs to go when there is pressure.

He needs a full off season to work that out. People should remember that Romo was injuried, not pulled for bad play or a decision to 'go with the future'.

We ride out the hot streak, now put Romo back in. No reason to waste a season because you can't replace a QB.

 

[dmaschuck]

Why are we pretending that this is not mostly because of Dakota playing like absolute garbage atm.

 

[Jake]

I noticed the quick short pass has been replaced by waiting for longer passes to develop last few weeks.

Teams are playing press coverage outside and blitzing gaps to stop the run. The way to stop that is to burn them over the top.

Until that happens, don't expect the short passes to be open as much as they were earlier in the year.

 

[reddyuta]

It's real simple.our QB is a rookie and he has trouble when the opposition has very good corners who don't give him open targets.

 

[mahoneybill]

Zeke had close to 90 yards in the first half. We were struggling because Dak was off.

Dak was off and Dez had a horrible game...