Effective NFL offenses evolve. This league became a mostly pass oriented league the last 25 years. Pass heavy offenses featuring high percentage passes that make the QB, WR, and TE positions much more valuable had become the coin of the realm over the last 2-3 decades.
But things have changed. Defenses have evolved too over the years to where pass coverage has become easier to master. Good defenses evolved to where great pass rushes and pass coverage became gold. BUT….
Things have evolved again.
So how do you challenge a defense today?
- By having a running game capable of punishing defenses that cheat their safeties back to stop the intermediate pass and deep pass.
- If an offense does not have a RB who forces safeties (and maybe LBs as well) to respect the run, it puts all the pressure on the QB to carry the offense. There may be 2 QBs in the NFL that can carry a team by himself.
- By possessing a below average running game, the Cowboys are set up to depend too much on a 32 year old good but great QB who has always played best with a strong running game.
It’s not a mystery. In 2025, having a quality running game capable of making defenses fear what it can do gives your QB and offense a chance to be good.
Without wearing blue fan glasses, I’m not seeing a running back on this roster that makes defensive coordinators respect the run. Until we do get someone that can put fear in a defense, I cannot expect deep playoff runs. Maybe I’ll be proven wrong. Hope so,