CFZ Dallas Cowboys Offense True Ranking

[blueblood70]

It is true that the Cowboys are listed as #4 in scoring so far this season. However, this is not exclusively an offensive statistic. As we are all aware, there are other methods of scoring that involve the defense or the special teams. So, who should get credit for what and how does this compare to other teams in the league?

The offense gets credit for offensive TD's, field goals, and all extra points whether one point or two.

The special teams get credit for Kickoff and punt return TD's or any block returned for a TD during a kick, field goal or punt.

The defense gets credit for any INT or fumble returned for a TD plus any safeties.

The Cowboys, so far, have scored 124 points. The NFL rank is #4. However, the defense has scored 18 points and the special teams 6 points. These 24 points in combined defense and special teams scoring is ranked #1 in the NFL. When you subtract the defensive TD's, safeties and special team scores from each team and re-rank them according to offensive scoring only, the Cowboys drop significantly to #10.

The Cowboys are also tied for #1 in scoring from the kicking team. They have scored 48 points from combined extra points and field goals. When you subtract this number from the offense you are left only with the points from TD's and 2 point plays. The Cowboys offense has scored 8 TD's and have made two 2-point plays for a total of 52 points. When all teams are ranked this way then the Cowboys offense falls to #18.

This is not even taking into consideration, the excellent field position gifted by the defense due to turnovers. This may be a situation where the Cowboys ranking in yardage is a more realistic indicator of where this offense is in relation to the other 31 teams in the league.

There is good news. the numbers achieved by the Cowboys offense has been under difficult circumstances. When you replace three Pro Bowl level O-linemen with a couple of undrafted rookie free agents and a journeyman with 15 starts, then it is unrealistic to expect an offense close to its previous productivity. As this veteran offensive line comes together I think we can expect a drastic improvement. Even as the team is currently ranked #4, I see rapid progress and I hope that begins Sunday night.

The Cowboys cannot depend on defensive scoring.

Ranking based off offensive points only

Team Pts Def Offense
1 MIA 150 0 150
2 BUF 139 6 133
3 SFO 125 0 125
4 CHI 115 0 115
5 LAC 110 0 110
6 PHI 118 8 108
7 WAS 109 6 103
8 KAN 101 0 101
9 DAL 124 24 100
10 DET 106 6 100
11 SEA 111 12 99
12 LAR 98 0 98
13 BAL 99 2 95
14 GNB 100 6 94
15 IND 97 6 91
16 HOU 96 6 90
17 DEN 100 12 88
18 MIN 90 6 84
19 ARI 88 6 82
20 TAM 84 6 78
21 CLE 76 0 76
22 JAX 80 6 74
23 TEN 72 0 72
24 ATL 62 0 62
25 LVR 62 0 62
26 CAR 67 6 61
27 NOR 62 6 56
28 NYJ 62 8 52
29 NWE 55 2 51
30 PIT 62 12 50
31 CIN 49 6 43

why do fans care about this nonsense??!!
I will never understand why you're trying to make adjustments to lower the offense rankings and belittle the offense and by the way this is a fun fact here all this talk about the red zone issues which by the way a lot of it has been penalties dropped passes execution has been poor but the play calls and the quarterback have been fine by the way you know who else is doing poorly and yet not getting any public outlast it be the Philadelphia Eagles the four no division leading Philadelphia Eagles are not far ahead of the Cowboys in red zone scoring why don't you go pick that up make that a story as well as the fact that their quarterback is also has a lot of turnovers already so let's bring this whole narrative from last year about our offense too many turnovers can't do that now this year's red zone and bring it to Philly how about we talk about the Philadelphia Eagles again like we always liked you but this time let's be real their kicker like ours it's one of the top kickers in the league there was a meme the other day it brought it to my attention both our kicker and theirs have more points than the entire giants offense..

So why is this you ask it must be because they're not that good in the red zone either but I still don't understand these rankings who cares the point differential and net points is so outlandish it doesn't matter we're three and one and the only game we didn't win had really nothing to do with the offense it was a total team loss the defense didn't play well the coaching wasn't great on either side of the ball and play calling that's the one loss we wish we had back and here we are..​

​

You do realize that rankings mean nothing in sports these are used for who knows what betting lines fun for fans but really it's your competition what's your record what's your record in your division what's your record in your conference what's your record in common opponents and they use all this stuff at the end of the year in case there's a tie other than that it's only about wins and losses. Everything else is used for nonsense it's all fluff it's entertainment and really I don't understand why we need to adjust our offense to make them look bad because that is what this intention was whether you think it is or not I see it because I'm tired of hearing about the offense in red zone we're moving the ball very well we're getting in scoring position easily we're kicking field goals because we have not executed well in the red zone but our offense is still very good and I guarantee it can be dangerous if you back it in a corner and really need something with healthy you know we're not counting Arizona in my opinion total team lost but you can't expect the offense to have looked good without 3 Pro Bowl offensive lineman and a bunch of penalties..​

 

[blueblood70]

Have you seen this team have issues moving the football? Just using the eye test? I’ve yet to see anyone truly stop us except the Cardinals.

Getting the Cardinals needed help from the referees a ton of penalties and three missing pro bowlers on the offensive line and the defense not playing well which put it back on the offense so you are correct our offense is not having really any issues besides a little execution issues in the red zone which I just brought up in my other post someone might wanna go check the Philadelphia Eagles because their kickers one of the top leaders in the league like ours and points scored and there's a reason for it the Eagles also are not very good in the red zone yet yet why are we not talking about all their turnovers and their red zone issues like we do with the Cowboys all the time??

 

[lukin2006]

Half of those points are field goals. What a modern day tragedy.

Maybe you should root for another team…you never make a single positive post…

 

[blueblood70]

Thank goodness Aubrey is only outpacing Moody by 7pts and neither have kick a FG inside the Red Zone Splits....

This modern game is a reflection of Society

you know how about you go break down the Philadelphia Eagles because I believe their kicker is one of the top scorers in the league for same reason they don't have a great red zone efficiency right either they're only a few notches above us somebody go break down their turnovers and their issues because it seems like everyone just focuses on the Cowboys because we're in the Cowboys the narrative last year too many turnovers this year it's red zone and yet the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback has more turnovers and they also aren't getting it done in the red zone very well...

There's a reason they're kicker is leading the league in points along with ours and a couple others it's part of the game the offense gets in the scoring position can't get it done they kick a field goal all of it matters and none of these rankings matter at all it matters 0..

 

[Scotman]

On the other hand when the defense scores it eliminates one offensive possession. So that takes away a scoring opportunity.

I’ll take defensive scores all day long, regardless of how it skews the statistics.

All day, every day and twice on Sundays.

 

[big dog cowboy]

The NFL rank is #4. When you subtract the defensive TD's, safeties and special team scores from each team and re-rank them according to offensive scoring only, the Cowboys drop significantly to #10.

Team Pts Def Offense
5 LAC 110 0 110
6 PHI 118 8 108
9 DAL 124 24 100

Hard for me to accept a "significantly" drop to #10 when I see that just one more TD from the offense jumps them to #7. Additionally they would be just 2 spots away from #6. 8 points from #6 spot is just 2 points a game. That isn't a biggie considering the special team and defense scoring added in. I get you can't depend on that extra scoring but the Cowboys will be better in the red zone also.

 

[CCBoy]

Field goals are included as part of the calculation for scoring offense. You can’t just take them out of the equation.

Dallas has never had issues in the redzone over Dak’s whole career and I imagine the law of averages will likely come into play here over the next few weeks.

The kicker is the second most important scorer on the team.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

It is true that the Cowboys are listed as #4 in scoring so far this season. However, this is not exclusively an offensive statistic. As we are all aware, there are other methods of scoring that involve the defense or the special teams. So, who should get credit for what and how does this compare to other teams in the league?

The offense gets credit for offensive TD's, field goals, and all extra points whether one point or two.

The special teams get credit for Kickoff and punt return TD's or any block returned for a TD during a kick, field goal or punt.

The defense gets credit for any INT or fumble returned for a TD plus any safeties.

The Cowboys, so far, have scored 124 points. The NFL rank is #4. However, the defense has scored 18 points and the special teams 6 points. These 24 points in combined defense and special teams scoring is ranked #1 in the NFL. When you subtract the defensive TD's, safeties and special team scores from each team and re-rank them according to offensive scoring only, the Cowboys drop significantly to #10.

The Cowboys are also tied for #1 in scoring from the kicking team. They have scored 48 points from combined extra points and field goals. When you subtract this number from the offense you are left only with the points from TD's and 2 point plays. The Cowboys offense has scored 8 TD's and have made two 2-point plays for a total of 52 points. When all teams are ranked this way then the Cowboys offense falls to #18.

This is not even taking into consideration, the excellent field position gifted by the defense due to turnovers. This may be a situation where the Cowboys ranking in yardage is a more realistic indicator of where this offense is in relation to the other 31 teams in the league.

There is good news. the numbers achieved by the Cowboys offense has been under difficult circumstances. When you replace three Pro Bowl level O-linemen with a couple of undrafted rookie free agents and a journeyman with 15 starts, then it is unrealistic to expect an offense close to its previous productivity. As this veteran offensive line comes together I think we can expect a drastic improvement. Even as the team is currently ranked #4, I see rapid progress and I hope that begins Sunday night.

The Cowboys cannot depend on defensive scoring.

Ranking based off offensive points only

Team Pts Def Offense
1 MIA 150 0 150
2 BUF 139 6 133
3 SFO 125 0 125
4 CHI 115 0 115
5 LAC 110 0 110
6 PHI 118 8 108
7 WAS 109 6 103
8 KAN 101 0 101
9 DAL 124 24 100
10 DET 106 6 100
11 SEA 111 12 99
12 LAR 98 0 98
13 BAL 99 2 95
14 GNB 100 6 94
15 IND 97 6 91
16 HOU 96 6 90
17 DEN 100 12 88
18 MIN 90 6 84
19 ARI 88 6 82
20 TAM 84 6 78
21 CLE 76 0 76
22 JAX 80 6 74
23 TEN 72 0 72
24 ATL 62 0 62
25 LVR 62 0 62
26 CAR 67 6 61
27 NOR 62 6 56
28 NYJ 62 8 52
29 NWE 55 2 51
30 PIT 62 12 50
31 CIN 49 6 43

decent analysis although it was done wit a biased eye. Its not as bad as I thought relatively speaking. I think it all comes down to redzone offense. if the redzone offense could convert a couple of those field goals to TDs and reduce the turnovers on downs and interceptions. then we are a top 5 offense. the problem isn't between the 20s. its inside the 10....fix it MM.

one other thing, you sounded like you had an agenda to drive as you pointed out the turnovers our defense got and put the offense in good position. Bufflo has the highest interceptions. #1 in the league. SF is 4th. I assume those offenses were also helped by the interceptions? right now by far the bills defense is playing lights out. they are ranked #1 in a lot of statistical categories. I guess, or assume its helping their offense?

but if people don't realize that its a team game, and both offense and defense have to play well for any team to find success, then they either have an agenda to drive or they don't understand football.

 

[Vtwin]

Cowboys are 29th in total drives.
2nd in starting field position.
1st in top/drive.
5th in points per drive.
3rd in scoring %.
3rd (lowest) in turnover percentage.

McCarthy has this offense clicking, at least until the field shortens to where every inch matters and the handicaps become much more difficult to overcome.

 

[quickccc]

I kinda agree.

But look, We've had 19 red zone trips in large part because of our League-leading turnovers and defensive oppression. 10 turnovers already and plenty of 3-and-out stands.

I do commend you for posting efficiency numbers.

Defensive turnovers or not, ..dink n dunk or not ...made FG attempts or not .. that 3rd down efficiency means a lot when ranked against the rest of the NFL...albeit we're facing losing teams such as NYGiants, NY Jets, Arizona, and surprisingly
Bill Belichek, the winniest SB head coach of all time in NFL history.

Frankly the bigger, most definite tests and challenges will be vs the better, winning NFL teams that have favorable
units on both sides of the ball, ala Niners, Philly

 

[1time4urMind]

I kinda agree.

But look, We've had 19 red zone trips in large part because of our League-leading turnovers and defensive oppression. 10 turnovers already and plenty of 3-and-out stands.

I do commend you for posting efficiency numbers.

You're right. We live or die with D, no doubt.

The offense's efficiency only makes this D better. Complimentary football at its finest.

Even though stats don't prove anything, they show a pattern. I think the pattern starting to show itself is a complete team playing complimentary football. Efficient in all three phases.

Something to think about...

We've run 70.5 offensive plays (3rd in NFL)

We have a 52% third down conversion rate (1rst in NFL)

Our offense has scored 124 points (4th in NFL) This is crazy considering how many field goals we've kicked from the red zone!

We are second in NFL in time of posession (22 seconds behind the Browns; keeping the D fresh)

We are only 11th in NFL in offensive yards/ game. (All those 3 and outs and turnovers the defenses force lead to great field position, like you pointed out! Still, dominating time of possesion due to their efficiency, though)

Our offense has scored twice as many TD's as their opponents offense on both the ground and through the air. (This stat is about complimentary football. It's as much about our D as our O)

I also read that we lead the league in 10+ play drives, but I can't find that official stat anywhere...

This team runs through the D, and we play that way. But, the offense hasn't even glimpsed it's ceiling. This could get real fun to watch!

 

[Dakota]

I don't think 10th is horrible, however, the only team in our division we are ahead of is the giants. Philly is first and washington 2nd.

 

[blueblood70]

I don't think 10th is horrible, however, the only team in our division we are ahead of is the giants. Philly is first and washington 2nd.

And yet the Philadelphia Eagles are almost as bad in the red zone as us and their kickers winning a lot of games so all this rankings and ridiculous readjustments and whatever to get to another ranking cause of analytics are stupid the only thing that counts is where three and one and have no problem moving the football from what I've seen we have not needed to be a offensive juggernaut yet we have not been in one of those kind of games as a matter of fact all our games have actually almost pushed us to become conservative so we have not seen our offense challenge to where they were desperate and literally had to score,

don't say Arizona

3 missing offensive lineman on the road with a defense playing bad and a bunch of penalties all also skewed those stats... That simply was a bad team loss all the way around it won't affect the season where I sit just like the Denver game in 2021 did nothing to derail our season..


I believe if pressed to where Mike McCarthy literally feels he has to open the offense up go back to some three wide four wide and really press the other team he can our team is capable I think they just not don't like they needed to do any of that right now and I agree I mean show me a game that didn't have its own story on why the offense didn't need to open it up...

 

[Gangsta Spanksta]

It is true that the Cowboys are listed as #4 in scoring so far this season. However, this is not exclusively an offensive statistic. As we are all aware, there are other methods of scoring that involve the defense or the special teams. So, who should get credit for what and how does this compare to other teams in the league?

The offense gets credit for offensive TD's, field goals, and all extra points whether one point or two.

The special teams get credit for Kickoff and punt return TD's or any block returned for a TD during a kick, field goal or punt.

The defense gets credit for any INT or fumble returned for a TD plus any safeties.

The Cowboys, so far, have scored 124 points. The NFL rank is #4. However, the defense has scored 18 points and the special teams 6 points. These 24 points in combined defense and special teams scoring is ranked #1 in the NFL. When you subtract the defensive TD's, safeties and special team scores from each team and re-rank them according to offensive scoring only, the Cowboys drop significantly to #10.

The Cowboys are also tied for #1 in scoring from the kicking team. They have scored 48 points from combined extra points and field goals. When you subtract this number from the offense you are left only with the points from TD's and 2 point plays. The Cowboys offense has scored 8 TD's and have made two 2-point plays for a total of 52 points. When all teams are ranked this way then the Cowboys offense falls to #18.

This is not even taking into consideration, the excellent field position gifted by the defense due to turnovers. This may be a situation where the Cowboys ranking in yardage is a more realistic indicator of where this offense is in relation to the other 31 teams in the league.

There is good news. the numbers achieved by the Cowboys offense has been under difficult circumstances. When you replace three Pro Bowl level O-linemen with a couple of undrafted rookie free agents and a journeyman with 15 starts, then it is unrealistic to expect an offense close to its previous productivity. As this veteran offensive line comes together I think we can expect a drastic improvement. Even as the team is currently ranked #4, I see rapid progress and I hope that begins Sunday night.

The Cowboys cannot depend on defensive scoring.

Ranking based off offensive points only

Team Pts Def Offense
1 MIA 150 0 150
2 BUF 139 6 133
3 SFO 125 0 125
4 CHI 115 0 115
5 LAC 110 0 110
6 PHI 118 8 108
7 WAS 109 6 103
8 KAN 101 0 101
9 DAL 124 24 100
10 DET 106 6 100
11 SEA 111 12 99
12 LAR 98 0 98
13 BAL 99 2 95
14 GNB 100 6 94
15 IND 97 6 91
16 HOU 96 6 90
17 DEN 100 12 88
18 MIN 90 6 84
19 ARI 88 6 82
20 TAM 84 6 78
21 CLE 76 0 76
22 JAX 80 6 74
23 TEN 72 0 72
24 ATL 62 0 62
25 LVR 62 0 62
26 CAR 67 6 61
27 NOR 62 6 56
28 NYJ 62 8 52
29 NWE 55 2 51
30 PIT 62 12 50
31 CIN 49 6 43

Ouch #9.

 

[Dakota]

And yet the Philadelphia Eagles are almost as bad in the red zone as us and their kickers winning a lot of games so all this rankings and ridiculous readjustments and whatever to get to another ranking cause of analytics are stupid the only thing that counts is where three and one and have no problem moving the football from what I've seen we have not needed to be a offensive juggernaut yet we have not been in one of those kind of games as a matter of fact all our games have actually almost pushed us to become conservative so we have not seen our offense challenge to where they were desperate and literally had to score,

don't say Arizona

3 missing offensive lineman on the road with a defense playing bad and a bunch of penalties all also skewed those stats... That simply was a bad team loss all the way around it won't affect the season where I sit just like the Denver game in 2021 did nothing to derail our season..


I believe if pressed to where Mike McCarthy literally feels he has to open the offense up go back to some three wide four wide and really press the other team he can our team is capable I think they just not don't like they needed to do any of that right now and I agree I mean show me a game that didn't have its own story on why the offense didn't need to open it up...

Well, it's a team sport. Defensive and special teams points don't count less than offensive points in the end.

 

[VaqueroTD]

It is true that the Cowboys are listed as #4 in scoring so far this season. However, this is not exclusively an offensive statistic. As we are all aware, there are other methods of scoring that involve the defense or the special teams. So, who should get credit for what and how does this compare to other teams in the league?

The offense gets credit for offensive TD's, field goals, and all extra points whether one point or two.

The special teams get credit for Kickoff and punt return TD's or any block returned for a TD during a kick, field goal or punt.

The defense gets credit for any INT or fumble returned for a TD plus any safeties.

The Cowboys, so far, have scored 124 points. The NFL rank is #4. However, the defense has scored 18 points and the special teams 6 points. These 24 points in combined defense and special teams scoring is ranked #1 in the NFL. When you subtract the defensive TD's, safeties and special team scores from each team and re-rank them according to offensive scoring only, the Cowboys drop significantly to #10.

The Cowboys are also tied for #1 in scoring from the kicking team. They have scored 48 points from combined extra points and field goals. When you subtract this number from the offense you are left only with the points from TD's and 2 point plays. The Cowboys offense has scored 8 TD's and have made two 2-point plays for a total of 52 points. When all teams are ranked this way then the Cowboys offense falls to #18.

This is not even taking into consideration, the excellent field position gifted by the defense due to turnovers. This may be a situation where the Cowboys ranking in yardage is a more realistic indicator of where this offense is in relation to the other 31 teams in the league.

There is good news. the numbers achieved by the Cowboys offense has been under difficult circumstances. When you replace three Pro Bowl level O-linemen with a couple of undrafted rookie free agents and a journeyman with 15 starts, then it is unrealistic to expect an offense close to its previous productivity. As this veteran offensive line comes together I think we can expect a drastic improvement. Even as the team is currently ranked #4, I see rapid progress and I hope that begins Sunday night.

The Cowboys cannot depend on defensive scoring.

Ranking based off offensive points only

Team Pts Def Offense
1 MIA 150 0 150
2 BUF 139 6 133
3 SFO 125 0 125
4 CHI 115 0 115
5 LAC 110 0 110
6 PHI 118 8 108
7 WAS 109 6 103
8 KAN 101 0 101
9 DAL 124 24 100
10 DET 106 6 100
11 SEA 111 12 99
12 LAR 98 0 98
13 BAL 99 2 95
14 GNB 100 6 94
15 IND 97 6 91
16 HOU 96 6 90
17 DEN 100 12 88
18 MIN 90 6 84
19 ARI 88 6 82
20 TAM 84 6 78
21 CLE 76 0 76
22 JAX 80 6 74
23 TEN 72 0 72
24 ATL 62 0 62
25 LVR 62 0 62
26 CAR 67 6 61
27 NOR 62 6 56
28 NYJ 62 8 52
29 NWE 55 2 51
30 PIT 62 12 50
31 CIN 49 6 43

Team can drive the ball, just not in the red zone. Their stats spell it out. Top of the league on 1st downs and other midfield stats, but bottom in red zone which gives them a decent but not great overall rating as the OP points out. I have faith it will be fixed.

I guess we miss Zeke and Dalton more than fans realized, and Kellen's play calling in red zone.

But Ferguson came on strong last week. Just not sure who backs him up other than McKeon for some solid blocking. Probably should have signed Dalton and kept him and Ferguson out there. Hendershot on his way to being replaced by Philips next year, and Schoon not moving any mountains yet.

Coach Mac probably needs to loosen up just a little bit with Dak's play calling. He's on track for only 4 INTs, what more do you want? Not saying you have to be erratic like Kellen and not realize there is a strong defense, but would open it up more for Dak.

And since Rico can't stay healthy, here's a suggestion. Travis Henry was up for a trade in the offseason. If the Titans start tanking the season, before the deadline, see if we can get Henry for a cheap draft pick and no guaranteed contract extension. He'll fill in nicely and probably more productive in Zeke's role last few years.

If this week can be the norm and entire offensive line starting, that will help more than anything.

Biggest issue that can't be solved - we seem to be surrounded by good but small fast WRs. We don't have that big man to fight for the corner fades like we have in years past. Seen CeeDee do it some, but more on those threaded throws from Dak.

 

[Nav22]

KM sucks doesn't he?

Chargers are 4th in offensive efficiency.

We're 5th.

 

[doomsday9084]

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2023/

Pro football reference has an "expected points contribution" which takes a lot of this into account. Dallas is currently 8th.

They were 7th last year.

Dallas' offense last year and the prior was overhyped based on points because too many people ignored the impact of turnovers. A lot of people didn't want to hear it. This year Dallas' redzone% is very disappointing. If that gets fixed though, this offense is actually better. They control the ball and don't turn it over and you win games that way.

 

[CowboyFrog]

I get the redzone worries, the rest is kinda crazy, if you didnt understand we were going to take care of the ball and drive the field and keep this defense fresh and killing folks, well you ignored everything that happened this offseason..plain and simple we shifted from full throttle offense and bend dont break D to TOP offense no points left on the field from TO's and an Attacking change the game D... it was clear as day...

 

[Established1971]

Half of those points are field goals. What a modern day tragedy.

huh?