Biggest takeaway from the complete postseason

[Cowboyny]

-Defensive coordinators are putting extra men in coverage to take away the big passing plays.

This is no different then how teams were defending the Cowboys in the 2nd half of the season.

Some ideas how to counter this strategy?

-Run the football against light boxes
-Take what is given underneath
-Sustain chain moving drives, without committing drive killing penalties
-The ability and the confidence to throw in tight windows
-Must finish drives with points

Modern football rage is all about passing the football. Smart defensive coordinators have found ways to defend the pass with success. It's a copycat league, other teams will use the blueprint. It's slowly returning to the old days, run the football to set up the pass. Teams who can do both have a huge advantage, teams who can defend the run without extra personnel have the same advantage. Nothing has changed, it's all about winning the trenches on both sides of the football.

 

[LACowboysFan1]

It's slowly returning to the old days, run the football to set up the pass.

Oh, no, haven't you heard? "This is a passing league, the run game is dead"

I also have said the running game might be returning and was roundly blasted as an NFL ignoramus, stuck in the 1990's.
Hope you have a thick skin, you're going to need it, friend...

 

[MyFairLady]

Some ideas how to counter this strategy?

-Run the football against light boxes
-Take what is given underneath
-Sustain chain moving drives, without committing drive killing penalties
-The ability and the confidence to throw in tight windows
-Must finish drives with points

These are all fantastic ideas. The only issue is that they are all things that we stink at.

 

[Cowboyny]

These are all fantastic ideas. The only issue is that they are all things that we stink at.

That's what they have to fix.

 

[Section446]

- We need a QB that can compete with the elite QB's.

 

[Bobhaze]

I would add something to your list that is always true about teams winning SBs: They can block and tackle very well and are mentally and physically tough as nails.

The fundamentals still matter. The trenches matter every bit as much (if not more) as who you have playing your skill positions. Football fundamentals are what champions are made of. And why talent alone is never enough. We need to add many of the things in the OPs list but we need someone in the front office to recognize this isn’t fantasy football. Coaching matters. The fundamentals matter.

 

[fivetwos]

-Defensive coordinators are putting extra men in coverage to take away the big passing plays.

This is no different then how teams were defending the Cowboys in the 2nd half of the season.

Some ideas how to counter this strategy?

-Run the football against light boxes
-Take what is given underneath
-Sustain chain moving drives, without committing drive killing penalties
-The ability and the confidence to throw in tight windows
-Must finish drives with points

Modern football rage is all about passing the football. Smart defensive coordinators have found ways to defend the pass with success. It's a copycat league, other teams will use the blueprint. It's slowly returning to the old days, run the football to set up the pass. Teams who can do both have a huge advantage, teams who can defend the run without extra personnel have the same advantage. Nothing has changed, it's all about winning the trenches on both sides of the football.

Sounds like an excuse but penalties killed too many drives.

Difficult to run on 2nd and 3rd and long.

Thing is....MM thinking and saying they are going to "work on it" is just the normal BS he loves to spew....like he knows how to win and prepare a team in the postseason.

We have way too many stupid players, and I really don't see how you fix that when you realistically have two chances to improve....the first two draft picks.

 

[JBS]

Excellent post. Nothing needs to be added. This is precisely where the game is right now.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

-Defensive coordinators are putting extra men in coverage to take away the big passing plays.

This is no different then how teams were defending the Cowboys in the 2nd half of the season.

Some ideas how to counter this strategy?

-Run the football against light boxes
-Take what is given underneath
-Sustain chain moving drives, without committing drive killing penalties
-The ability and the confidence to throw in tight windows
-Must finish drives with points

Modern football rage is all about passing the football. Smart defensive coordinators have found ways to defend the pass with success. It's a copycat league, other teams will use the blueprint. It's slowly returning to the old days, run the football to set up the pass. Teams who can do both have a huge advantage, teams who can defend the run without extra personnel have the same advantage. Nothing has changed, it's all about winning the trenches on both sides of the football.

In 5 seconds, name the top 5 NFL running backs .......couldn't do it (LOL). After the rookie Taylor and D Henry, I had no clue.....

In other words, turning the game over to your OLine.

 

[CowboyoWales]

-Defensive coordinators are putting extra men in coverage to take away the big passing plays.

This is no different then how teams were defending the Cowboys in the 2nd half of the season.

Some ideas how to counter this strategy?

-Run the football against light boxes
-Take what is given underneath
-Sustain chain moving drives, without committing drive killing penalties
-The ability and the confidence to throw in tight windows
-Must finish drives with points

Modern football rage is all about passing the football. Smart defensive coordinators have found ways to defend the pass with success. It's a copycat league, other teams will use the blueprint. It's slowly returning to the old days, run the football to set up the pass. Teams who can do both have a huge advantage, teams who can defend the run without extra personnel have the same advantage. Nothing has changed, it's all about winning the trenches on both sides of the football.

I would prefer that on offense we play a strategy that suits the players rather than ask them to play in a way that they obviously can perform.

....regardless of what the leagues doing.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

I would prefer that on offense we play a strategy that suits the players rather than ask them to play in a way that they obviously can perform.

....regardless of what the leagues doing.

That is .......

 

[Chuck 54]

-Defensive coordinators are putting extra men in coverage to take away the big passing plays.

This is no different then how teams were defending the Cowboys in the 2nd half of the season.

Some ideas how to counter this strategy?

-Run the football against light boxes
-Take what is given underneath
-Sustain chain moving drives, without committing drive killing penalties
-The ability and the confidence to throw in tight windows
-Must finish drives with points

Modern football rage is all about passing the football. Smart defensive coordinators have found ways to defend the pass with success. It's a copycat league, other teams will use the blueprint. It's slowly returning to the old days, run the football to set up the pass. Teams who can do both have a huge advantage, teams who can defend the run without extra personnel have the same advantage. Nothing has changed, it's all about winning the trenches on both sides of the football.

The team that lost the SB was the team that totally shut down the run all year, playoffs, and SB.
The team that lost the SB had the two best safeties who were exceptional in coverage, 2 deep umbrella, and they seemed to always be there in tight coverage, on time, knowing the routes, and making the INTs.
The team that lost the SB won the turnover battle 2-0.
The team that lost the SB had the best run game in the SB, making play-action work and scoring on a halfback pass.

The team that won the SB ran it 23 times for 43 yards, less than 2 yards per carry….yet still ran 23 times.
T.he team that won the SB had a QB who threw it 40 times, was sacked only twice, yet barely completed 65%, missed several open receivers, threw 2 interceptions, had only a QBR of 60, but led the game winning drive from behind when the coach took over and called every play to involve his best wideout. The QB never even looked elsewhere. The two passes thrown to the TE were in a combo route with Kupp just yards away.

I did not learn much from the SB. The winning team appeared to have the most porous defense, giving up the most rushing yards and having their star CB burned often. But at crunch time, their offense got the job done with the help of a few penalties, only one that seemed bad….the holding call. And their defense and star DT came through at the right time on the final drive to prevent a tie. The Rams were far from dominant on either side of the ball, but they came through in the final minutes.

The losing team was much better coached than the Cowboys. A weak OL had an answer for Aaron Donald most of the game, frustrating him greatly. They had a plan to throw quick passes, run the ball effectively behind a weak OL against a great defensive front, and use play-action to occasionally go deep.

For me, the most obvious things I hope the Cowboys learned is that you have to discover and accept who you are, even if that’s a finesse team. Accept who you are early in the season because the handwriting is there early that you are a physical or finesse team….just accept that and continue to build through the season on who you are. Be balanced, but on third down and in the Redzone and in final clutch moments, GO to your best WR Cooper! You can run a combo route with him and the TE or RB, but don’t make your QB progress through all reads and throw to anyone anywhere who happens to look open. Cooper needs to know he’s the man. There is less time at crunch time and in the Redzone and less margin for error or indecision or lack of faith in the receiver on third down. Cooper should be the primary read in every critical situation, and that is the responsibility of the OC who is calling the plays.

 

[Redline360]

Game is normally won in the trenches.

 

[Aven8]

The playoffs this year outside of our debacle were amazing. I was thoroughly entertained.

I came away impressed with a lot of players but one stuck out to me, Logan Wilson. That kid can play.

To the OP, this is not unlike Marinelli and Zimm schemes of the past where they gave up yards but clamped down on getting beat deep.

 

[Captain-Crash]

The only take is we are going nowhere with dak and his slow reading, and fear.

 

[Creeper]

The team that lost the SB was the team that totally shut down the run all year, playoffs, and SB.
The team that lost the SB had the two best safeties who were exceptional in coverage, 2 deep umbrella, and they seemed to always be there in tight coverage, on time, knowing the routes, and making the INTs.
The team that lost the SB won the turnover battle 2-0.
The team that lost the SB had the best run game in the SB, making play-action work and scoring on a halfback pass.

The team that won the SB ran it 23 times for 43 yards, less than 2 yards per carry….yet still ran 23 times.
T.he team that won the SB had a QB who threw it 40 times, was sacked only twice, yet barely completed 65%, missed several open receivers, threw 2 interceptions, had only a QBR of 60, but led the game winning drive from behind when the coach took over and called every play to involve his best wideout. The QB never even looked elsewhere. The two passes thrown to the TE were in a combo route with Kupp just yards away.

I did not learn much from the SB. The winning team appeared to have the most porous defense, giving up the most rushing yards and having their star CB burned often. But at crunch time, their offense got the job done with the help of a few penalties, only one that seemed bad….the holding call. And their defense and star DT came through at the right time on the final drive to prevent a tie. The Rams were far from dominant on either side of the ball, but they came through in the final minutes.

The losing team was much better coached than the Cowboys. A weak OL had an answer for Aaron Donald most of the game, frustrating him greatly. They had a plan to throw quick passes, run the ball effectively behind a weak OL against a great defensive front, and use play-action to occasionally go deep.

For me, the most obvious things I hope the Cowboys learned is that you have to discover and accept who you are, even if that’s a finesse team. Accept who you are early in the season because the handwriting is there early that you are a physical or finesse team….just accept that and continue to build through the season on who you are. Be balanced, but on third down and in the Redzone and in final clutch moments, GO to your best WR Cooper! You can run a combo route with him and the TE or RB, but don’t make your QB progress through all reads and throw to anyone anywhere who happens to look open. Cooper needs to know he’s the man. There is less time at crunch time and in the Redzone and less margin for error or indecision or lack of faith in the receiver on third down. Cooper should be the primary read in every critical situation, and that is the responsibility of the OC who is calling the plays.

You left out the losing team was sacked 7 times. Sacks are like penalties with a loss of yardage and down. The hurt.

I think overall it is one game and we can't or shouldn't take too much away from one game. But I still think it is true that winning the LOS wins games. The Cowboys overcame their penalties in their first 7 games. When the offense became less effective, they couldn't. I think the Cowboys should rely on their defense, build a strong running game, and run a balanced offense to take the load away from Dak who has proven he cannot lay at an elite level for a full season.

This offseason should be about improving the offensive and defensive lines.

 

[75boyz]

The team that lost the SB was the team that totally shut down the run all year, playoffs, and SB.
The team that lost the SB had the two best safeties who were exceptional in coverage, 2 deep umbrella, and they seemed to always be there in tight coverage, on time, knowing the routes, and making the INTs.
The team that lost the SB won the turnover battle 2-0.
The team that lost the SB had the best run game in the SB, making play-action work and scoring on a halfback pass.

The team that won the SB ran it 23 times for 43 yards, less than 2 yards per carry….yet still ran 23 times.
T.he team that won the SB had a QB who threw it 40 times, was sacked only twice, yet barely completed 65%, missed several open receivers, threw 2 interceptions, had only a QBR of 60, but led the game winning drive from behind when the coach took over and called every play to involve his best wideout. The QB never even looked elsewhere. The two passes thrown to the TE were in a combo route with Kupp just yards away.

I did not learn much from the SB. The winning team appeared to have the most porous defense, giving up the most rushing yards and having their star CB burned often. But at crunch time, their offense got the job done with the help of a few penalties, only one that seemed bad….the holding call. And their defense and star DT came through at the right time on the final drive to prevent a tie. The Rams were far from dominant on either side of the ball, but they came through in the final minutes.

The losing team was much better coached than the Cowboys. A weak OL had an answer for Aaron Donald most of the game, frustrating him greatly. They had a plan to throw quick passes, run the ball effectively behind a weak OL against a great defensive front, and use play-action to occasionally go deep.

For me, the most obvious things I hope the Cowboys learned is that you have to discover and accept who you are, even if that’s a finesse team. Accept who you are early in the season because the handwriting is there early that you are a physical or finesse team….just accept that and continue to build through the season on who you are. Be balanced, but on third down and in the Redzone and in final clutch moments, GO to your best WR Cooper! You can run a combo route with him and the TE or RB, but don’t make your QB progress through all reads and throw to anyone anywhere who happens to look open. Cooper needs to know he’s the man. There is less time at crunch time and in the Redzone and less margin for error or indecision or lack of faith in the receiver on third down. Cooper should be the primary read in every critical situation, and that is the responsibility of the OC who is calling the plays.

This is a HOF worthy breakdown of how the Super Bowl was won and recommendations as to how the Cowboy offense should function.

I thoroughly enjoy people who can put into writing ALL the important yet obviously ignored details required to win a game.

So again, I appreciate your post.
I enjoyed reading it and agree wholeheartedly with it.

 

[quickccc]

-Defensive coordinators are putting extra men in coverage to take away the big passing plays.

This is no different then how teams were defending the Cowboys in the 2nd half of the season.

Some ideas how to counter this strategy?

-Run the football against light boxes
-Take what is given underneath
-Sustain chain moving drives, without committing drive killing penalties
-The ability and the confidence to throw in tight windows
-Must finish drives with points

Modern football rage is all about passing the football. Smart defensive coordinators have found ways to defend the pass with success. It's a copycat league, other teams will use the blueprint. It's slowly returning to the old days, run the football to set up the pass. Teams who can do both have a huge advantage, teams who can defend the run without extra personnel have the same advantage. Nothing has changed, it's all about winning the trenches on both sides of the football.

it's not just the Cowboys ,,... remember Pat Mahomes and the KC Chiefs in AFC title game vs Cincy ? ..

Remember the 1st half of reg season when opposing teams were already .doing the back half zone forcing Mahomes to be patient, taking advantage of his over eagerness to push the
ball , resulting in INTs and surprisingly stagnant Chiefs offense ? ...

- It will be a challenge and a know when to check it underneath ..and when to pick that occasion to push it deep. ala the Rams in playoffs to Beckham and Kupp...

When they got OJB going, t combine with Kupp, it was marvelous how Rams had a versatile game that could do both ... sustain drives methodically and also have an occasional deep ball - it wasn't always wirtten out to be with Stafford's occasional INT wing it ..

 

[CowboyoWales]

The team that lost the SB was the team that totally shut down the run all year, playoffs, and SB.
The team that lost the SB had the two best safeties who were exceptional in coverage, 2 deep umbrella, and they seemed to always be there in tight coverage, on time, knowing the routes, and making the INTs.
The team that lost the SB won the turnover battle 2-0.
The team that lost the SB had the best run game in the SB, making play-action work and scoring on a halfback pass.

The team that won the SB ran it 23 times for 43 yards, less than 2 yards per carry….yet still ran 23 times.
T.he team that won the SB had a QB who threw it 40 times, was sacked only twice, yet barely completed 65%, missed several open receivers, threw 2 interceptions, had only a QBR of 60, but led the game winning drive from behind when the coach took over and called every play to involve his best wideout. The QB never even looked elsewhere. The two passes thrown to the TE were in a combo route with Kupp just yards away.

I did not learn much from the SB. The winning team appeared to have the most porous defense, giving up the most rushing yards and having their star CB burned often. But at crunch time, their offense got the job done with the help of a few penalties, only one that seemed bad….the holding call. And their defense and star DT came through at the right time on the final drive to prevent a tie. The Rams were far from dominant on either side of the ball, but they came through in the final minutes.

The losing team was much better coached than the Cowboys. A weak OL had an answer for Aaron Donald most of the game, frustrating him greatly. They had a plan to throw quick passes, run the ball effectively behind a weak OL against a great defensive front, and use play-action to occasionally go deep.

For me, the most obvious things I hope the Cowboys learned is that you have to discover and accept who you are, even if that’s a finesse team. Accept who you are early in the season because the handwriting is there early that you are a physical or finesse team….just accept that and continue to build through the season on who you are. Be balanced, but on third down and in the Redzone and in final clutch moments, GO to your best WR Cooper! You can run a combo route with him and the TE or RB, but don’t make your QB progress through all reads and throw to anyone anywhere who happens to look open. Cooper needs to know he’s the man. There is less time at crunch time and in the Redzone and less margin for error or indecision or lack of faith in the receiver on third down. Cooper should be the primary read in every critical situation, and that is the responsibility of the OC who is calling the plays.

I don't think Coop as being your go to guy is up for much discussion, however, how come Coop himself put the blame on lack of usage on Dak (and not Moore) ?
Then again I suppose a 65% completion rate may indicate that whilst Coop was the intended no.1 on the play Dak preferred 2 or 3rd option. Then again if Wilson and Schultz are completing a fairly high % (compared to Coop) arent we using the hot hand ..... prefer Dak completing to lesser receivers and going through his reps.

 

[PAPPYDOG]

-Defensive coordinators are putting extra men in coverage to take away the big passing plays.

This is no different then how teams were defending the Cowboys in the 2nd half of the season.

Some ideas how to counter this strategy?

-Run the football against light boxes
-Take what is given underneath
-Sustain chain moving drives, without committing drive killing penalties
-The ability and the confidence to throw in tight windows
-Must finish drives with points

Modern football rage is all about passing the football. Smart defensive coordinators have found ways to defend the pass with success. It's a copycat league, other teams will use the blueprint. It's slowly returning to the old days, run the football to set up the pass. Teams who can do both have a huge advantage, teams who can defend the run without extra personnel have the same advantage. Nothing has changed, it's all about winning the trenches on both sides of the football.

And this is who is leading us to war.....

I wish us GL and trust me we will need plenty!!!!