Cowboys offense and their red zone efficiency

[big dog cowboy]

One trend that deserves more attention when evaluating the Cowboys offense is their red zone efficiency. While Dallas has consistently ranked among the league leaders in total offense over the past several seasons, their ability to finish drives has fluctuated dramatically.

In 2022, the Cowboys were one of the NFL's best red zone offenses, converting approximately 71.4% of their red zone trips into touchdowns. That elite efficiency was a major reason they finished among the league's highest-scoring teams.

In 2023 it slipped to 57.9% or 12th in the league.

In 2024 the bottom fell out as we ended up at 46% or 31st in the league!!!

In 2025 we rebounded under Schotty to 56.9% or 16th in the league.

What makes this interesting is that moving the ball hasn't been the issue. The Cowboys have regularly ranked near the top of the league in yards per game, explosive plays, and overall scoring opportunities. The problem has been execution once the field shrinks. Inside the 20-yard line, spacing becomes tighter, windows close faster, and every penalty or turnover is magnified.

Several factors have contributed:

• Too many drive-killing penalties.
• Turnovers in scoring position.
• Inconsistent success in short-yardage running situations.
• Predictability at times in play calling when space becomes limited.

The encouraging part is that red zone efficiency is often one of the more correctable offensive metrics. It typically comes down to execution, personnel usage, and situational play design rather than an inability to move the football. Clearly Schotty and Adams were able to right the ship last year and I expect it to be even better this year!

If Dallas can return even close to its 2022 efficiency, the offense doesn't necessarily need to gain more yards—it simply needs to convert a higher percentage of its existing opportunities into seven points instead of three. Over the course of a season, that difference can easily amount to 40–60 additional points, which often separates playoff teams from legitimate championship contenders.

To me, and I know a lot of us, improving red zone execution is one of the biggest keys to the Cowboys taking the next step. They have shown they can drive the length of the field. The next challenge is consistently finishing those drives with touchdowns.

 

[AstroPilota]

I agree with most of your points, however I think the largest problem has been the lack of short-yardage "push" by the O-Line. They just don't seem to be able to move the trench forward when really needed. This is only via my "eye test", perhaps there is a short-yardage stat I'm not aware of? Last year, with Williams, this did indeed improve, as before he got here it was just "jam the helpless RB into a brick wall", often seeing him get knocked back on his arse. It's been a very long time since we've had a truly nasty, physical O-Line in place. Hopefully that trend is changing.

 

[DallasEast]

I thought there would be no math. Just kidding, BDC!

I believe an all-around balanced run/pass attack will be really beneficial in the redzone. CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens are monstrous threats on the outside. Get the run game going (especially between the tackles) will go a long way towards upsetting opposing defensive coordinators' plans to stop the offense.

 

[DallasEast]

I agree with most of your points, however I think the largest problem has been the lack of short-yardage "push" by the O-Line. They just don't seem to be able to move the trench forward when really needed. This is only via my "eye test", perhaps there is a short-yardage stat I'm not aware of? Last year, with Williams, this did indeed improve, as before he got here it was just "jam the helpless RB into a brick wall", often seeing him get knocked back on his arse. It's been a very long time since we've had a truly nasty, physical O-Line in place. Hopefully that trend is changing.

Read my mind. Getting the run game more consistent depends greatly on the guys upfront.

 

[pansophy]

I agree with most of your points, however I think the largest problem has been the lack of short-yardage "push" by the O-Line. They just don't seem to be able to move the trench forward when really needed. This is only via my "eye test", perhaps there is a short-yardage stat I'm not aware of? Last year, with Williams, this did indeed improve, as before he got here it was just "jam the helpless RB into a brick wall", often seeing him get knocked back on his arse. It's been a very long time since we've had a truly nasty, physical O-Line in place. Hopefully that trend is changing.

This is 100% the fundamental problem. We were able to run a bit better in the redzone last season and so our numbers improved. Also for guys that say the preseason doesn't matter, these kinds of issues show up in the preseason so I'll be watching this closely.

 

[McKDaddy]

The problem has been execution once the field shrinks. Inside the 20-yard line, spacing becomes tighter, windows close faster, and every penalty or turnover is magnified.

Several factors have contributed:

• Too many drive-killing penalties.
• Turnovers in scoring position.
• Inconsistent success in short-yardage running situations.
• Predictability at times in play calling when space becomes limited.

I agree with everything you are saying but the list is incomplete until we acknowledge that dealing with the bolded are not our QB's strengths yet our coaches often put the ball in his hands when the running game is doing fine. We absolutely need to pound the ball in the red zone. We have the interior OL to impose our will. Use it. Also, I believe that calling running plays would help reduce presnap penalites.

 

[JBS]

Red zone offense
Second half offense
Offense performing vs elite defenses
Taking care of the ball

4 areas the offense needs to be better in this season

 

[shabazz]

One trend that deserves more attention when evaluating the Cowboys offense is their red zone efficiency. While Dallas has consistently ranked among the league leaders in total offense over the past several seasons, their ability to finish drives has fluctuated dramatically.

In 2022, the Cowboys were one of the NFL's best red zone offenses, converting approximately 71.4% of their red zone trips into touchdowns. That elite efficiency was a major reason they finished among the league's highest-scoring teams.

In 2023 it slipped to 57.9% or 12th in the league.

In 2024 the bottom fell out as we ended up at 46% or 31st in the league!!!

In 2025 we rebounded under Schotty to 56.9% or 16th in the league.

What makes this interesting is that moving the ball hasn't been the issue. The Cowboys have regularly ranked near the top of the league in yards per game, explosive plays, and overall scoring opportunities. The problem has been execution once the field shrinks. Inside the 20-yard line, spacing becomes tighter, windows close faster, and every penalty or turnover is magnified.

Several factors have contributed:

• Too many drive-killing penalties.
• Turnovers in scoring position.
• Inconsistent success in short-yardage running situations.
• Predictability at times in play calling when space becomes limited.

The encouraging part is that red zone efficiency is often one of the more correctable offensive metrics. It typically comes down to execution, personnel usage, and situational play design rather than an inability to move the football. Clearly Schotty and Adams were able to right the ship last year and I expect it to be even better this year!

If Dallas can return even close to its 2022 efficiency, the offense doesn't necessarily need to gain more yards—it simply needs to convert a higher percentage of its existing opportunities into seven points instead of three. Over the course of a season, that difference can easily amount to 40–60 additional points, which often separates playoff teams from legitimate championship contenders.

To me, and I know a lot of us, improving red zone execution is one of the biggest keys to the Cowboys taking the next step. They have shown they can drive the length of the field. The next challenge is consistently finishing those drives with touchdowns.

Great point BDC. A major thing I'd like to see the team improve on is plus/minus with turnovers.

I know you mentioned these but wanted to share the raw numbers

If memory serves me correctly the Boys were top 6 in getting turnovers in 2022 and 2023. Conversly the last 2 seasons we've been in the bottom 10 teams in turnover ratios

Red Zone efficiency, Turnovers and Penalties are the red-headed stepchildren that negate great offensive and defensive stats.

 

[Cowboys5217]

As the pressure to succeed gets higher, the more Cowboys teams under Jerry Jones' General Management have wilted. It's why we need Cialis to score in the red zone or get a critical stop, and even Viagra doesn't work for the Cowboys once you put the words "Divisional Playoff Game" in play. It's all just trickle down lack of accountability from Jerry's operational philosophy. Hanging around the rim is good enough. Actually getting things done like winners is optional so we never see it.

 

[Havic]

I’ve been shouting for two years now about redzone efficiency while other posters here think we are the #1 offense cause we have the most yards lol

 

[gtb1943]

I’ve been shouting for two years now about redzone efficiency while other posters here think we are the #1 offense cause we have the most yards lol

yards either offensively or defensively never matter that much to me compared to points on the board.
WHEN IT MATTERS both ways

 

[Stash]

I think red zone playcalling deserves more scrutiny.

I think that Schottenheimer has a tendency to abandon the run, even when it’s working well.

Plenty of times that he got ‘pass happy’ in the red zone and stalled drives and outsmarted himself.

 

[sbark]

Red zone offense
Second half offense
Offense performing vs elite defenses
Taking care of the ball

4 areas the offense needs to be better in this season

2nd half offense????
....thought with our poor D etc, that we were #1 in garbage time yardage

 

[Chasing6]

A good defense should make the offense better and vice versa. We had strong offense last year, which highlights even more how bad our defense was.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I think red zone playcalling deserves more scrutiny.

I think that Schottenheimer has a tendency to abandon the run, even when it’s working well.

Plenty of times that he got ‘pass happy’ in the red zone and stalled drives and outsmarted himself.

Thanks for mentioning this. I had intended to include that in my op.

 

[75boyz]

Red zone offense
Second half offense
Offense performing vs elite defenses
Taking care of the ball

4 areas the offense needs to be better in this season

THIS.

 

[AstroPilota]

I think red zone playcalling deserves more scrutiny.

I think that Schottenheimer has a tendency to abandon the run, even when it’s working well.

Plenty of times that he got ‘pass happy’ in the red zone and stalled drives and outsmarted himself.

I think some of this might be Prescott changing the play at LOS. I could be wrong but sometimes I think the opposing D is giving Dak a "fake" look, just to get him to change the planned play. Is it me..... or are we hearing too many "kill kill" calls?

 

[Bobhaze]

I think some of this might be Prescott changing the play at LOS. I could be wrong but sometimes I think the opposing D is giving Dak a "fake" look, just to get him to change the planned play. Is it me..... or are we hearing too many "kill kill" calls?

NFL QBs make audibles at the LOS between 10-25% of the time. Dak is probably closer to about 20% of the time depending on who we’re playing. More experienced QBs tend to make audibles more often.

Defenses that present lots of blitz looks and unusual defensive alignments usually create the need for more audibles.

We fans don’t like to admit it, but there are a ton of things happening and changing before each play before the snap that we don’t know about.

The QB understandably gets the blame for bad plays even when a receiver runs the wrong route or a blocker missed an assignment. Even the OC get a ton of blame or praise based solely on how well a play was executed. You hear “great call” when a play works, and “bad call” when it doesn’t.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I think some of this might be Prescott changing the play at LOS. I could be wrong but sometimes I think the opposing D is giving Dak a "fake" look, just to get him to change the planned play. Is it me..... or are we hearing too many "kill kill" calls?

Ding ding ding

 

[AstroPilota]

@Bobhaze,
I largely agree, but when watching various other NFL games it sure appears Prescott is constantly killing the play after lining up. Maybe he is faking it, we'll never know unless a team mate or coach spills the beans, lol.

Out of curiosity, I asked AI (I know.....) about this and this was the response:

AI Overview

Official, league-wide tracking statistics for specific pre-snap line of scrimmage changes or audibles are not publicly published by the NFL. While major coordinators and veteran signal-callers like Matthew Stafford or Dak Prescott heavily manage protections and adjustments at the line, precise counts for checks/audibles remain proprietary internal team data.

lol..... Even AI seems to have taken notice! I know it's a chess game between the Offense and Defense. I can't help but think that sometimes the Defense knows Prescott is too quick to kill a play call, so they use that to their advantage. I guess I'd like to see Prescott just trust the other 10 guys to do their job and see if the initial call will work.

The other side of this coin, is if he is indeed killing too many plays, then the HC needs to tell him to quit doing it so much. I would hope our coaches have that authority. Again, this is all conjecture on my part, I don't have all the facts, just a perception. I think there is, or has been, a confidence issue inside the Red Zone, thus why we have a FG kicker tearing it up.