Cowboys vs Bears By The Numbers: How The Cowboys Found Their Groove

[waving monkey]

Getting into the groove
The Cowboys may not (yet) be the explosive offense they were with a healthy Tony Romo, but their methodical and patient playcalling makes them highly effective at sustaining long scoring drives.

52.5%: The Cowboys' league leading third-down conversion rate after three games (last year, the Cowboys had a conversion rate of 34.6 percent, No. 27 in NFL). On defense, the team is allowing a conversion rate of just 37.5%, and the resulting third-down conversion differential of +15% (No. 5 in the NFL) is a key reason why the Cowboys have scored on 50% of their drives to date, while the opponents have only scored on 37% of their drives.

77: Points the Cowboys have scored this season. That's 25.7 points per game, good for 11th in the NFL, and 8.9 points more per game than they averaged last year. It's not quite at the 2014 level of 29.2 points per game, but the trajectory is encouraging

link/
http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2016...boys-find-groove-ezekiel-elliott-dak-prescott

 

[kevm3]

I think that Romo and Dak just play different sort of games. Romo is Favre-esque in that he is a high risk and high reward player, and you'll see some utterly amazing plays, like him launching the ball down the field to Dez Bryant for a touchdown, but the risk comes in that he will hold on to the ball longer while looking for the big play instead of taking the easier throw that's 8 to 10 yards down the field. With that comes bigger plays, but also more risk for turnovers. Dak is more reminiscent of Tom Brady in that he throws the shorter passes and methodically leads you down the field.

 

[SultanOfSix]

Third down conversation rate for the offense and third down conversion prevention rate for the defense are definite indicators for winning - like turnover differential - and something I believe Jimmy Johnson knew about and stressed. In the year the latter one his first Super Bowl, I believe the Cowboys were first in the league in both.

 

[YosemiteSam]

The Bears game really took the Cowboys 3rd down prevention rate up, though they are like 12th in the league. I believe Seattle only gives up 25% vs our 37.5%. I believe the Bears were only a horrendous 2-10 against us. The Bears absolutely SUCK and that definitely made the Cowboys look better stat wise right now.

I believe Washington was 5-12 and the Giants had a 50% 3rd down conversion rate. (5 of 10 I think it was)

 

[jazzcat22]

I think that Romo and Dak just play different sort of games. Romo is Favre-esque in that he is a high risk and high reward player, and you'll see some utterly amazing plays, like him launching the ball down the field to Dez Bryant for a touchdown, but the risk comes in that he will hold on to the ball longer while looking for the big play instead of taking the easier throw that's 8 to 10 yards down the field. With that comes bigger plays, but also more risk for turnovers. Dak is more reminiscent of Tom Brady in that he throws the shorter passes and methodically leads you down the field.

I can live with the lead them down the field slowly, eat up play clock. But he also needs to take those shots down field more. I think they will before long. But this also sets up some long TD runs by Zeke, as the D wears down.
My only concern so far, besides the shots down field, is we need to convert on more TD's once inside the 30. Against a better offense, that just won't cut it.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

I can live with the lead them down the field slowly, eat up play clock. But he also needs to take those shots down field more. I think they will before long. But this also sets up some long TD runs by Zeke, as the D wears down.
My only concern so far, besides the shots down field, is we need to convert on more TD's once inside the 30. Against a better offense, that just won't cut it.

They've improved the scoring each week. Against the Bears they had 4 TDs to 2 FG attempts. If not for Terrance, they may have had a 5th TD. Regardless of opponent, it's impressive that they're showing improvement each week while being led by 2 rookies.