Bryant and Witten in the Red Zone

[percyhoward]

Cowboys' Offensive Rank
Yards Per Drive
2013 32.4 (11th)
2012 34.0 (8th)

Points Per Drive
2013 2.40 (3rd)
2012 2.01 (10th)

Red Zone TD %
2013 65.2 (4th)
2012 51.0 (20th)

The offense isn't gaining as many yards this year. It's also not gaining big chunks of yards as often. But it's scoring more points. One of the reasons is shorter fields. Dallas's average starting field position ranks 8th in 2013, compared to 19th last year.

But the big difference is in what the offense is doing once it reaches the red zone. The reason scoring is up is red zone performance.

Red Zone Passing 1st Down/TD %
2013 39.4% (4th)
2012 25.6% (27th)

This huge turnaround in red zone passing is the reason we've skyrocketed from being a below-average red zone team to Top 5. Nearly 40% of our red zone passes have resulted in either a TD or 1st down. Last year, we had a total of 15 passing TD in the red zone (16th in the NFL). This year we already have 10 TD (4th in the league). The breakdown, by target:

Red Zone TD Receptions
2013 (30 targets)
Bryant 6 of 8 5 td 0 int
Witten 3 of 8 3 td 0 int
Williams 3 of 4 1 td 1 int
Beasley 1 of 1 1 td 0 int

2012 (75 targets)
Bryant 9 of 14 4 td 0 int
Witten 8 of 14 3 td 0 int
Austin 5 of 13 2 td 0 int
Ogletree 6 of 8 2 td 1 int

Bryant and Witten have combined for more red zone TD through 6 games than they had in all of 2012. So far in 2013, 53% of our red zone passes have targeted either Bryant or Witten. Last year, that number was 37%. That's the essence of our red zone improvement so far. These two players are seeing more targets, and they're seeing better targets. 8 or their 9 catches have been touchdowns. Last year, it was 7 of 17 (and 3 of 10 in the first 6 games). It's night-and-day when you compare their efficiency in the red zone this year with last year. And it's the reason we've gone from a Top 10 scoring offense to Top 3.

So far.

 

[jobberone]

Cowboys' Offensive Rank
Yards Per Drive
2013 32.4 (11th)
2012 34.0 (8th)

Points Per Drive
2013 2.40 (3rd)
2012 2.01 (10th)

Red Zone TD %
2013 65.2 (4th)
2012 51.0 (20th)

The offense isn't gaining as many yards this year. It's also not gaining big chunks of yards as often. But it's scoring more points. One of the reasons is shorter fields. Dallas's average starting field position ranks 8th in 2013, compared to 19th last year.

But the big difference is in what the offense is doing once it reaches the red zone. The reason scoring is up is red zone performance.

Red Zone Passing 1st Down/TD %
2013 39.4% (4th)
2012 25.6% (27th)

This huge turnaround in red zone passing is the reason we've skyrocketed from being a below-average red zone team to Top 5. Nearly 40% of our red zone passes have resulted in either a TD or 1st down. Last year, we had a total of 15 passing TD in the red zone (16th in the NFL). This year we already have 10 TD (4th in the league). The breakdown, by target:

Red Zone TD Receptions
2013 (30 targets)
Bryant 6 of 8 5 td 0 int
Witten 3 of 8 3 td 0 int
Williams 3 of 4 1 td 1 int
Beasley 1 of 1 1 td 0 int

2012 (75 targets)
Bryant 9 of 14 4 td 0 int
Witten 8 of 14 3 td 0 int
Austin 5 of 13 2 td 0 int
Ogletree 6 of 8 2 td 1 int

Bryant and Witten have combined for more red zone TD through 6 games than they had in all of 2012. So far in 2013, 53% of our red zone passes have targeted either Bryant or Witten. Last year, that number was 37%. That's the essence of our red zone improvement so far. These two players are seeing more targets, and they're seeing better targets. 8 or their 9 catches have been touchdowns. Last year, it was 7 of 17 (and 3 of 10 in the first 6 games). It's night-and-day when you compare their efficiency in the red zone this year with last year. And it's the reason we've gone from a Top 10 scoring offense to Top 3.

So far.

Good stuff as usual PH. Our Sc% is 42% and TD% 10.6%. We are scoring at almost 31 ppg. Unfortunately we are giving up 25 ppg. Yeah, we're doing a lot better. The D needs to step up though.

 

[Tenkamenin]

I'm amazed by Dezs efficiency in the redzone, I don't see why we don't attempt one lob every redone opportunity.

 

[OhSnap]

The record isn't what anyone wants but they set out to increase turnovers on def. and RZ scoring and so far it's mission accomplished.These guys will hopefully gain confidence and get better in Dec.

 

[Section446]

Wow, that's amazing.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Hope this post is read by all those people who for the last few years have claimed our lousy red zone performance was only because we couldn't run it in.

 

[Section446]

Hope this post is read by all those people who for the last few years have claimed our lousy red zone performance was only because we couldn't run it in.

You can tell that they've made more of a concerted effort to get Witten involved the last two seasons.

 

[CowboyStar88]

Cowboys' Offensive Rank
Yards Per Drive
2013 32.4 (11th)
2012 34.0 (8th)

Points Per Drive
2013 2.40 (3rd)
2012 2.01 (10th)

Red Zone TD %
2013 65.2 (4th)
2012 51.0 (20th)

The offense isn't gaining as many yards this year. It's also not gaining big chunks of yards as often. But it's scoring more points. One of the reasons is shorter fields. Dallas's average starting field position ranks 8th in 2013, compared to 19th last year.

But the big difference is in what the offense is doing once it reaches the red zone. The reason scoring is up is red zone performance.

Red Zone Passing 1st Down/TD %
2013 39.4% (4th)
2012 25.6% (27th)

This huge turnaround in red zone passing is the reason we've skyrocketed from being a below-average red zone team to Top 5. Nearly 40% of our red zone passes have resulted in either a TD or 1st down. Last year, we had a total of 15 passing TD in the red zone (16th in the NFL). This year we already have 10 TD (4th in the league). The breakdown, by target:

Red Zone TD Receptions
2013 (30 targets)
Bryant 6 of 8 5 td 0 int
Witten 3 of 8 3 td 0 int
Williams 3 of 4 1 td 1 int
Beasley 1 of 1 1 td 0 int

2012 (75 targets)
Bryant 9 of 14 4 td 0 int
Witten 8 of 14 3 td 0 int
Austin 5 of 13 2 td 0 int
Ogletree 6 of 8 2 td 1 int

Bryant and Witten have combined for more red zone TD through 6 games than they had in all of 2012. So far in 2013, 53% of our red zone passes have targeted either Bryant or Witten. Last year, that number was 37%. That's the essence of our red zone improvement so far. These two players are seeing more targets, and they're seeing better targets. 8 or their 9 catches have been touchdowns. Last year, it was 7 of 17 (and 3 of 10 in the first 6 games). It's night-and-day when you compare their efficiency in the red zone this year with last year. And it's the reason we've gone from a Top 10 scoring offense to Top 3.

So far.

Needs to look at Dez more and not Witten. That's not a great % when going to Witten. He's a big lumbering guy he isn't very agile so to speak he seems very stiff and I think that hurts him in the Red Zone IMO just an observation

 

[jobberone]

Hope this post is read by all those people who for the last few years have claimed our lousy red zone performance was only because we couldn't run it in.

That wasn't all of it but played a big role. I can't tell you how happy I was to see some rushing TDs to balance the offense down there some. Now they have to play both pass and run. We already have 4 rushing TDs.

 

[percyhoward]

It would be interesting if anyone who has the time and access to all our red zone video since the beginning of 2012 could break down what kinds of plays we were running with these two players in the red zone last year (with down, distance, and game situation), and compare it to this year so far.

 

[kruddy]

I am amazed when you guys come up with stats like those, It is the main reason that I love this site.

 

[jobberone]

Needs to look at Dez more and not Witten. That's not a great % when going to Witten. He's a big lumbering guy he isn't very agile so to speak he seems very stiff and I think that hurts him in the Red Zone IMO just an observation

It's a different play. Witten is good at turning around and using his body to shield. He's also pretty good at drifting to an open area. Dez is going to get the fades, back shoulder throws yada. I was hoping Escobar was going to be able to use his body like Witten and still be able to run some of the plays Dez does.