News: Has the NFL caught up to the Dak and Zeke show?

[LocimusPrime]

CHARLOTTE — The struggle had been real enough for Dak Prescott that by the second quarter, any opening to give the Dallas Cowboys even as much as a first down would be a welcome reprieve.

Constantly behind the chains, besieged by the Carolina Panthers’ pass rush, Prescott finally had what he so desperately needed: A clean pocket and several options. The best one presented itself at the very last moment, just as Prescott thought about running for a first down. Spotting tight end Blake Jarwin running free down the left sideline, it looked like a certain touchdown as Prescott’s pass traveled 35 yards in the air. Instead, as Jarwin turned back to catch it, Prescott’s pass was too short, too slow.

“Got to make that throw,” Prescott said.

Too bad.

The Cowboys kicked off Year 3 of a rebuild centered around Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott with a 16-8 loss at Bank of America Stadium that didn’t at all resemble the team they led to a 13-3 record as rookies two years ago. And while it was only one game on the road against a high-level defense, every week that the Cowboys struggle to move the ball this season will add ambiguity to the fundamental question of their franchise.

Was their rookie success the baseline for future playoff and perhaps even Super Bowl runs, or has the league caught up to the Prescott-Elliott pairing before it ever accomplished anything meaningful?

MORE NFL:

• What we learned from Panthers' win over Cowboys
• Dez dismisses Cowboys reunion idea, touts Patriots
• Browns won't count tie as a win, but they should

Though the Cowboys took some solace, and they hope some positive momentum, out of a single second-half touchdown drive that gave them a chance to come back, the final numbers were ugly.

A team that finished fifth in the NFL in total offense two years ago with Prescott and Elliott leading the way mustered just 232 on 57 plays against the Panthers. Take away their sole touchdown drive, which went for 75 yards on 10 plays after they got behind 16-0, and you won’t find another occasion during the entire game in which they put stress on Carolina’s defense. No explosive passes, no threatening runs, barely any drives that sustained beyond a single first down.


“We get paid every week to come out and win football games and execute at a high level,” said Elliott, who was limited to 69 yards on 15 carries. “We didn’t have a lot of plays. We got behind. We have to start faster. That’s not Dallas Cowboys football. We can’t come out like that and lay an egg in the first half.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...-ugly-opener-vs-carolina-panthers/1252737002/


Submitted for your reading pleasure and commentary. Enjoy

 

[kevm3]

The Dak and Zeke show are predicated on having a completely dominant O line, and even with that, we still had problems with tough defenses, even in 2016.

 

[windjc]

Correct. No margin for error.

 

[Aviano90]

They don’t scare anyone anymore.

 

[Tangle_Foot]

Easier to defend the running back if you don't have to worry about the quarterback. Dak couldn't make them pay.

 

[uvaballa]

Yeah neither looks like they did during their rookie seasons. Zeke was supposedly in the best shape of his career but looked worse to me. Dak is still struggling with some throws. Need to move the pocket more and go back to the read option and hopefully build his confidence.

 

[Aven8]

Connor Williams looks like a TE playing guard. Ugly

 

[Howboutdemcowboys31]

Zeke is a beast in any system. Dak I’m having a hard time thinking of 1 system he can beast in

 

[cowboyuptx]

Dak can't make all the necessary throws with accuracy. Defenses are now more aware of his tendencies and weaknesses.

 

[charron]

Doesn't take much to stop Dak. A good defensive interior and LB's stop Zeke.

 

[RodeoJake]

I don't know if they have or not. I'm hoping this was a bad offensive performance caused by rust. If this ineptitude continues next week, I'll be inclined to think the league has our offenses number.

 

[Keithfansince5]

The league OWNS the Garrett, LINEHAN show. Dak is nothing special but Garrett and Linehan are both poor at creating favorable mismatches that can be exploited. If their initial plan fails they have nothing.

 

[CowboyRoy]

CHARLOTTE — The struggle had been real enough for Dak Prescott that by the second quarter, any opening to give the Dallas Cowboys even as much as a first down would be a welcome reprieve.

Constantly behind the chains, besieged by the Carolina Panthers’ pass rush, Prescott finally had what he so desperately needed: A clean pocket and several options. The best one presented itself at the very last moment, just as Prescott thought about running for a first down. Spotting tight end Blake Jarwin running free down the left sideline, it looked like a certain touchdown as Prescott’s pass traveled 35 yards in the air. Instead, as Jarwin turned back to catch it, Prescott’s pass was too short, too slow.

“Got to make that throw,” Prescott said.

Too bad.

The Cowboys kicked off Year 3 of a rebuild centered around Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott with a 16-8 loss at Bank of America Stadium that didn’t at all resemble the team they led to a 13-3 record as rookies two years ago. And while it was only one game on the road against a high-level defense, every week that the Cowboys struggle to move the ball this season will add ambiguity to the fundamental question of their franchise.

Was their rookie success the baseline for future playoff and perhaps even Super Bowl runs, or has the league caught up to the Prescott-Elliott pairing before it ever accomplished anything meaningful?

MORE NFL:

• What we learned from Panthers' win over Cowboys
• Dez dismisses Cowboys reunion idea, touts Patriots
• Browns won't count tie as a win, but they should

Though the Cowboys took some solace, and they hope some positive momentum, out of a single second-half touchdown drive that gave them a chance to come back, the final numbers were ugly.

A team that finished fifth in the NFL in total offense two years ago with Prescott and Elliott leading the way mustered just 232 on 57 plays against the Panthers. Take away their sole touchdown drive, which went for 75 yards on 10 plays after they got behind 16-0, and you won’t find another occasion during the entire game in which they put stress on Carolina’s defense. No explosive passes, no threatening runs, barely any drives that sustained beyond a single first down.


“We get paid every week to come out and win football games and execute at a high level,” said Elliott, who was limited to 69 yards on 15 carries. “We didn’t have a lot of plays. We got behind. We have to start faster. That’s not Dallas Cowboys football. We can’t come out like that and lay an egg in the first half.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...-ugly-opener-vs-carolina-panthers/1252737002/


Submitted for your reading pleasure and commentary. Enjoy

There is no more Dak and Zeke show when there is no Oline show.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Zeke is a beast in any system. Dak I’m having a hard time thinking of 1 system he can beast in

Oh yah, Zeke was a real best today. Beast mode all game long.

 

[buybuydandavis]

The Dak and Zeke show are predicated on having a completely dominant O line, and even with that, we still had problems with tough defenses, even in 2016.

The guy running the Dak and Zeke Show is Linehan.

Recall Butler saying he was shocked seeing Romo installing the offense every week.

Romo left in 2017. Offense sputters in 2017.

Maybe the Dak and Zeke Show was predicated on Romo installing the offense every week.

 

[Clove]

Any great 1st round QBs in the draft?

 

[CF74]

We abandoned the run way too early

 

[Aven8]

Any great 1st round QBs in the draft?

Will Grier WVU

 

[Floatyworm]

We have a show??? Where??? Because I didn't see it...

 

[Aerolithe_Lion]

I have never been more excited for an Undisputed episode than I am for tomorrow's. From A-rod's comeback to Cam's dominance to Alex Smith praise. Can't wait.