CFZ Crazy Stat on Cowboys’ First Down Plays

[Gambit]

One of the keys to having a good drive is how well a team executes on first down. Most Cowboys fans have noticed for many years how anemic we tend to be on first down plays, especially running the ball.

Yesterday at the end of the third quarter, the Fox broadcast posted a graph that illustrates this in a very clear way:

• Cowboys on first down plays: 15 plays for 29 yards.
• eagles on first down plays: 17 plays for 117 yards.

That’s a graphic example of putting your team in bad spots on 2nd and 3rd down. This is exactly what influences our third down conversion rates. Yesterday it was 6/15 on third down conversions and most of them were on 3rd and long situations. When your team is constantly in 3rd and 7 or more, this league is brutal.

So far this season, Mike McCarthy’s offense is digging too many holes on first down.

Saw somewhere where Dallas leads or is at top of league in 3rd and longs. Yet we 3rd down conversions.

 

[nalam]

Running on first down hasn't been a significant problem this year like it has in the past.

What kills them is runs on 2nd and long (i.e. the first drive).

2nd and long , you should try a pass or variation of run like end around , screen etc, why would try running in the middle with an anemic run blocking line and end up in 3rd and long ?

 

[KMY_Amber]

The Cowboys' first drive last night was disappointing, utterly-predictable, and ultimately unsuccessful:

1. Run up the middle for short gain.
2. Run up the middle for short gain.
3. Incomplete pass.
4. Punt

(Eagles drive for TD.)

They knew going in they wouldn't be able to run on the Eagles. But the Cowboys were going to "show them!"

Above is my biggest problem with McCarthy. He came out the gate "trying not to lose", instead of trying to score on that first drive.

After a week of watching tape, when you come out and run 2 inside run plays on the 1st drive, when this team hasn't run successfully between the tackles early in games all season, that shows all we need to know about our OC. He ain't ready for the big game, as he came out conservative and scared.

The Eagles came out trying to score 7, and did.

Night and day philosophical difference.

 

[DandyDon52]

Are the Cowboys allowed to pass on first down ?
I think the NFL passed a rule this offseason banning them from doing so?
Can a more knowledgable fan bring me up to speed?
Thanks

It is mike lol. Analytics could play a part in it. Mike likes the A's
I was watching another game/teams and they were doing same thing, and the ex player announcer said it was stupid because defenses notice
trends like that, and the team will wind up doing worse and more 3rd and longs.

 

[DandyDon52]

2nd and long , you should try a pass or variation of run like end around , screen etc, why would try running in the middle with an anemic run blocking line and end up in 3rd and long ?

because they are stupid ??
or following analytics

 

[plymkr]

This is a Dak Prescott stat.

He's the best third down quarterback in the league by a MILE right now, and he's bailing out the overall systemic failures of the offense.

I agree about Dak and I’d also point out this is a McCarthy stat as well. But not a flattering stat for Big Mike.

 

[Blackrain]

When I saw the eagles having 17 first down plays for 117 yards…man that Makes it so much easier on the QB to make plays when it’s 2nd and 3.

The fact the eagles routinely use fourth down makes them almost unstoppable because they usually only need like one yard on fourth down and it's pretty much automatic with their push