News: BTB: Cowboys at Commanders: Why winning on first down will be key to success

[NewsBot]

For the Cowboys and Commanders on Sunday, the game will likely be decided by which team wins on first downs.

Third down is often called the money down in football, because what happens on third down usually determines whether the offense gets a new series of downs. Which is why we talk about third-down conversion rate so much in football, and why third-down performance is such a big topic in the lead-up to games.

Heading into Sunday's game, the Cowboys have had a better third-down offense, while the Commanders have had the better third-down defense. Looking at offense and defense combined, there's not much of a difference between the two teams, as the table below shows.

Third Down Performance, 2017
Dallas Cowboys​

Washington Commanders
Offense (3rd down conversions made)
45.3% (5th)
39.5% (17th)
Defense (3rd down conversions allowed)
44.9% (26th)
41.8% (24th)
Third down differential
+0.4% (16th)
-2.3% (21st)​

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[jobberone]

No rocket science here. Keep them in disadvantaged down and distance.

 

[links18]

Need to work the flats a little bit on offense and watch out for the screens to Thompson when on D.

 

[Hardline]

That could be said about any game.

 

[jazzcat22]

That is what made it work so well last year, and also it allowed us to control the clock, therefore helping the defense stay rested.

 

[conner01]

Need to work the flats a little bit on offense and watch out for the screens to Thompson when on D.

He is the one to really keep an eye on

 

[StylisticS]

The weather is going to be windy, rainy, and cool. Wonder who that favors.

 

[Verdict]

If Beasley catches 8 balls we will win this game.

 

[Ranched]

I don't believe it has anything to do with "winning on first down" etc.... The 'Boys still have enough weapons on offense to be one of the more dangerous units in the NFL but they need to be more consistent against tougher defenses in order to maximize their potential.

The 'Boys defense also stepped up in last week’s win with five sacks. Cousins and the 'Skins offense will present a much tougher test for the 'Boys defense which by the way, has given up 35 points or more in each of their three losses this season. The 'Skins on the other hand come into this game battered and bruised. On one hand, their three losses have come to the Egals twice and the Chiefs. But they barely beat the 49ers and now have a slew of injuries.

They’re banged up on the offensive line and secondary, they can’t consistently run the ball well and the receivers have been a big disappointment. Our 'Boys will win this one convincingly as well to remain in the hunt for the division title & playoff run. Egals true colors will show like they always do. Just be patient.

 

[Ranched]

....banged up on the offensive line and secondary, they can’t consistently run the ball well and the receivers have been a big disappointment. Our 'Boys will win this one convincingly as well to remain in the hunt for the division title & playoff run.

Nuff said!