CFZ How the Cowboys need to improve to contend

[blueblood70]

because we cant even wait 24 hours before we start picking every part of the game apart. AND, you think the coaches dont do this? You think the coaches wont be back looking at tape today and trying to figure out ways to get better? Hell, I would do that myself with my softball teams and I wasnt even a pro coach.

We would win entire tournaments and allow 5 runs in 6 games and Id be on the couch pissed off that we gave up those 5 runs....... and scored 47. So if I was doing it, you know they are. It wasnt only Landry and Jimmy that always tried to get better.

But for me... Ill take a few days to enjoy this week. This place reminds me of 100 Pats from SNL.. you know, the debbie downer.

amen!! this is happenig during games and then after and then the next morning immediately to how it won't work later..who cares about later..one at a TIME...

 

[CowboyoWales]

When teams stack a box like the Eagles did yesterday..... the Titans were done. They couldnt run, and their pass game, especially after Burks went down, was NON existent. It is pretty simple.... We can run, and we can throw. IMO, OBJ is going to get a deal from us. Jerry is too close and OBJ is the shiny piece that everyone around Jerry is saying we could use. So IF and it is a very bif if, if OBJ can help this year, we will be a very well balanced team, maybe the most balanced in the league. BUT, if you think running the ball 40 times a week is gonna work, I think you are still living in 1972..... no offense, lol

We succeed when we run, we aren't a one man run team and now using CeeDee. If you haven't noticed...the run game is becoming more popular. Even if it wasn't Dak just ends up in the 49ers situation with the legendary Jimmie Ward quote.
Play off the run, even if it doesn't work first off.
OBJ may help (injury provided), but his main help would be keeping the secondary occupied leaving us to Rush.

 

[TheMightyVanHalen]

Dak needs to take better care of the ball. He's making 3-5 throws a game that are really risky and many of them are truing into picks. If it's not there don't push it.

After the 49ers game and other games too, people here have said he doesn't trust his arm anymore. I think what we're seeing with those risky throws is him trusting his arm again. A lot of these picks are not his fault. 3 of them for sure. Unless you (generally speaking) are going to argue with HOFers who said they were not. He's throwing the ball to a particular spot and if the receivers are not there then it can be an INT. Gallup slipped after fighting for position on that first one that could've been an INT. Then the INT, that could've been a flag for defensive pass interference. He had one throw that was just atrocious. The one that was thrown way behind Lamb, which I think was close to being an INT.

 

[Playmaker3128]

Continue to use more read option and jet sweep type stuff. when you have a solid oline…..two solid rbs….. a guy in ceedee that can play the Debo role… and a qb that can run. That’s tough for a d to stop. Remember us trying to stop the 49ers and rams doing it to us.


But most importantly for this team. Come playoff time they need to show they can win big games. Not fail in the moment like they have in the past

 

[links18]

We'll be an easy out in the second round of the playoffs, playing like we did in the first half last night.

 

[Bobhaze]

because we cant even wait 24 hours before we start picking every part of the game apart. AND, you think the coaches dont do this? You think the coaches wont be back looking at tape today and trying to figure out ways to get better? Hell, I would do that myself with my softball teams and I wasnt even a pro coach.

We would win entire tournaments and allow 5 runs in 6 games and Id be on the couch pissed off that we gave up those 5 runs....... and scored 47. So if I was doing it, you know they are. It wasnt only Landry and Jimmy that always tried to get better.

But for me... Ill take a few days to enjoy this week. This place reminds me of 100 Pats from SNL.. you know, the debbie downer.

I’m not saying the coaches aren’t doing that. Just want to see this team get more playoffs ready. Seems like a good expectation to me.

 

[Londonboy]

We'll be an easy out in the second round of the playoffs, playing like we did in the first half last night.

And We'll crush any team like a bug if We play like We did in the 2nd half.

 

[Denim Chicken]

After the 49ers game and other games too, people here have said he doesn't trust his arm anymore. I think what we're seeing with those risky throws is him trusting his arm again. A lot of these picks are not his fault. 3 of them for sure. Unless you (generally speaking) are going to argue with HOFers who said they were not. He's throwing the ball to a particular spot and if the receivers are not there then it can be an INT. Gallup slipped after fighting for position on that first one that could've been an INT. Then the INT, that could've been a flag for defensive pass interference. He had one throw that was just atrocious. The one that was thrown way behind Lamb, which I think was close to being an INT.

there have been a few that are excusable (like the Lamb routes), but way too many thrown into traffic from Dak forcing it. Even though Gallup slipped, that ball should not have been thrown. He needs to work on the risk / reward ratio.

 

[Praxit]

They looked good last night because they knew Indy had to run the ball and has the “sitting duck QB” in the league.

QB’s like Brady and Ryan are dinosaurs in the NFL.

BUT...CC, Ryan can light you up, if he has the time. Luckily for us our defense started picking his house. The continue pressure will break any QB.

 

[Blitzen]

Last night’s win was a perfect example of why teams play 60 minutes to decide the outcome. Going into the 4th qtr, the score was 21-19, and the Cowboys had played 45 minutes of inconsistent football. The bottom fell out for the colts in the 4th with the turnovers.

But a win is a win, and the Cowboys certainly took advantage of the opportunities they had. Kudos to the Cowboys for having the killer instinct late.

As I look at the Cowboys with 5 regular season games left, here are the things I believe this team needs to show some improvement to go into the playoffs strong:

• Starting games with better offensive execution. This team has a bad habit of starting games poorly on offense. Against the colts, we started with a 3 and out. Two weeks ago against the giants, our first two possessions were punt, turnover. Against GB, we started with a punt on first two possessions. Viking game was the exception. In the playoffs, coming out flat offensively can be deadly as we learned last yr vs niners.

• Stopping the run. We’ve been vulnerable against the run all this year as well as last year. Our pass rush is top shelf but teams that can run the ball against us are still a problem. It has improved somewhat the last two weeks, but that has been against the giants and colts, not the eagles or niners. I’m still not convinced we have it figured out yet.

• Reducing penalties. As we saw last year in our lone playoff game, sloppy play kills you in the playoffs. Through 12 games, we are currently the second most penalized team in the NFL behind the 3-9 broncos, with 86 penalties, averaging over 7 penalties per game. Compare that to KC who has 52 penalties through 12 games. We were better against the colts but we still are committing stupid penalties right and left.

• Having a chip on their shoulders. I wish this team had a bigger chip- a killer instinct that says, “We’re going to smash you in the mouth for 60 minutes.” This team still sleep walks at times and to me too often take whole possessions off on both sides of the ball. If you want to win in the playoffs, you have to want it more than your opponent.

I’m not knocking the Cowboys for being 9-3. They have proven to be better than I thought they were after that colossal egg we laid on opening night. But as we saw last January, the playoffs require a different gear. And if we want to change the story of the last 27 years, these guys need to get even tougher and more committed. And they can- hopefully they will.

Good post. You will get crapped on by the fanbois, mood police, and unpaid marketing arm of Cowboys’ football.

Standards are high for those that actually remember and value postseason wins more than regular season wins.

Some background on some past playoff games.
2022 vs SF: down 16-7 after 2 quarters and 23-7 after 3. LOSS
2019 vs LA Rams: down 20-7 after 2 quarters and 23-15 after 3 quarters. LOSS
2019 vs Seattle: up 10-6 after 2 quarters and down 14-10 after 3 quarters. WIN in a squeaker 24-22.
2017 vs GB: down 21-13 after 2 quarters and 28-13 after 3. LOSS

December 1996 vs Carolina: up 30-0 after 2 quarters. WIN.
January 1996 vs Eagles: up 17-3 after 2 quarters. 23-3 after 3 quarters. WIN.
January 1996 vs Packers: up 24-17 after 2 quarters. WIN.
January 1996 vs Steelers: up 13-7 after 2 quarters. 20-7 after 3 quarters. WIN.

1995 vs Packers: up 28-9 after 2 quarters. WIN.
1995 vs 49ers: down 31-14 after 2 quarters. LOSS
1994 vs Packers: up 17-3 after 2 quarters. WIN.
1994 vs 49ers: up 28-7 after 2 quarters. WIN.
1994 vs Bills: down 13-7 after 2 quarters and up 21-13 after 3 quarters. WIN
1993 vs Eagles: up 17-3 after 2 quarters and 27-3 after 3 quarters. WIN.
1993 vs 49ers: tied 10-10 after 2 quarters. Up 17-13 after 3 quarters. WIN
1993 vs Bills: up 28-10 after 2 quarters. WIN

Winning important games typically means being ahead by meaningful points after 2 and 3 quarters. Losing typically means being behind after those quarters by meaningful points. Contenders don’t care about matchups-they just go about their business and take a dump on Lady Luck and listen to the other team’s fans lament about fortune, refs, and coaches. Whilst the players decide the game.

Play well during the first 3 quarters (and yes in the fourth quarter). Yes-the above evidence points to success when getting up significantly early. And lack of success comes from the opposite. It was not that close in many of the losses after 2-3 quarters but sometimes ended closer at the end because of differences in opponent’s defensive and offensive scheme as the game progressed.

This team and QB are not built for shootouts or playing from behind. Dak is much better off heavy running game with occasional playaction. Hopefully they have more success this postseason.

 

[JoiseyCowboyfan]

Last night’s win was a perfect example of why teams play 60 minutes to decide the outcome. Going into the 4th qtr, the score was 21-19, and the Cowboys had played 45 minutes of inconsistent football. The bottom fell out for the colts in the 4th with the turnovers.

But a win is a win, and the Cowboys certainly took advantage of the opportunities they had. Kudos to the Cowboys for having the killer instinct late.

As I look at the Cowboys with 5 regular season games left, here are the things I believe this team needs to show some improvement to go into the playoffs strong:

• Starting games with better offensive execution. This team has a bad habit of starting games poorly on offense. Against the colts, we started with a 3 and out. Two weeks ago against the giants, our first two possessions were punt, turnover. Against GB, we started with a punt on first two possessions. Viking game was the exception. In the playoffs, coming out flat offensively can be deadly as we learned last yr vs niners.

• Stopping the run. We’ve been vulnerable against the run all this year as well as last year. Our pass rush is top shelf but teams that can run the ball against us are still a problem. It has improved somewhat the last two weeks, but that has been against the giants and colts, not the eagles or niners. I’m still not convinced we have it figured out yet.

• Reducing penalties. As we saw last year in our lone playoff game, sloppy play kills you in the playoffs. Through 12 games, we are currently the second most penalized team in the NFL behind the 3-9 broncos, with 86 penalties, averaging over 7 penalties per game. Compare that to KC who has 52 penalties through 12 games. We were better against the colts but we still are committing stupid penalties right and left.

• Having a chip on their shoulders. I wish this team had a bigger chip- a killer instinct that says, “We’re going to smash you in the mouth for 60 minutes.” This team still sleep walks at times and to me too often take whole possessions off on both sides of the ball. If you want to win in the playoffs, you have to want it more than your opponent.

I’m not knocking the Cowboys for being 9-3. They have proven to be better than I thought they were after that colossal egg we laid on opening night. But as we saw last January, the playoffs require a different gear. And if we want to change the story of the last 27 years, these guys need to get even tougher and more committed. And they can- hopefully they will.

Agree on all counts. I think reducing penalties would go a long way towards getting off to better starts. Not only do we commit a lot of penalties, the timing of them usually kills us. Reducing penalties should be priority 1 and should be an easy coaching fix, operative words are Should Be.

 

[john van brocklin]

Dak needs to take better care of the ball. He's making 3-5 throws a game that are really risky and many of them are truing into picks. If it's not there don't push it.

This^^^^
He is trying to make things happen too much instead of managing the Game.
He needs to take a note from the Rush Cooper Games.
We have a great defense and run game.
Dak needs to lean into both.

 

[Reid1boys]

I’m not saying the coaches aren’t doing that. Just want to see this team get more playoffs ready. Seems like a good expectation to me.

and who says they arent motivated to do that?

 

[john van brocklin]

Well said, Bob, and I 100% agree.

It's the early playcalling that is atrocious. After watching film on the opponent all week, the Cowboys still come out and do a very predictable run on 1st down, then a very predictable PA pass or run on 2nd down, and then a very predictable play on 3rd down. There's no creativity, no initial plan to exploit the other team's weakness, just vanilla playcalling that most defenses shut down because THEY KNOW IT'S COMING.

So I fault Kellen Moore for not getting more creative in the 1st quarter, especially on the first drive. This dates back to Garrett, so many slow starts.

And yes, still too many penalties, and still have a hard time slowing down the run, especially in a close game when they can't just rush the passer every play.

This team just lacks urgency. And I have to fault the coaching staff AND Dak.

This just doesn't look like a team that can win a playoff game on the road, not starting every game like this...and then thinking they can "turn it on" later. Nope. Against a good team in the playoffs, they'll just stumble along all game, and then they'll get anxious and start committing penalties, and then the sky will fall once they can't stop the run. Many of us see it coming, because we've seen it time and time again. This team "feels" no different.

Excellent insights...Post more often please...

 

[Reid1boys]

We succeed when we run, we aren't a one man run team and now using CeeDee. If you haven't noticed...the run game is becoming more popular. Even if it wasn't Dak just ends up in the 49ers situation with the legendary Jimmie Ward quote.
Play off the run, even if it doesn't work first off.
OBJ may help (injury provided), but his main help would be keeping the secondary occupied leaving us to Rush.

Obviously, if you can run for 175 plus yards a game, you will be ecstatic, but that isnt going to happen all the time. The Chiefs didnt even pretend to run the ball, and yet they still reached 2 out of 4 SBs and 4 straight afc title games. You call the game as the game is going and make adjustments on the fly. All depends on what the defense is doing. As they stack the box to stop the run, you it them with passes. This is noting new.

 

[john van brocklin]

Agree on all counts. I think reducing penalties would go a long way towards getting off to better starts. Not only do we commit a lot of penalties, the timing of them usually kills us. Reducing penalties should be priority 1 and should be an easy coaching fix, operative words are Should Be.

Fixing the Penalties was supposed to be the off season priority , yet here we are again.
Is it the coaching, the culture ?
I don't know what it is,,, but it wont fly in the playoffs against good teams.

 

[CowboyFanInLexKy]

I don't normally look at stats. I use the eye test but right now I am looking at the stats.165 passing yards (to the Colts 203), 220 rushing yards (to the Colts 106), 7/13 3rd down conversions (to the Colts 4/13), but the biggest surprise, The Cowboys just 3 penalties (to the Colts 6). The time of possession 28:41 (to the Colts 31:19) The time of possession seems to be pretty equal for both teams considering the shalacking that we gave the Colts in the 4th quarter with the time that we had the ball. If there were any improvements that needed to be made, I would say it's the time of possession.

What I saw with the eye test, is that the running game showed it works. 25-30 passes a game seems to be a sweet spot.

My only complaint is Dak not looking for who all is open. You can clearly see it on the field that he looks for 1 person (whether it be Gallup or whoever for that matter) and will be so hellbent on throwing the ball to that one person. If he is set on Gallup, Lamb can be wide open but yet Dak will make sure he throws it to Gallup even if Gallup is double or triple teamed.

Again I am using Gallup as an example. He could be looking for Schultz. Even if Gallup and Lamb are open, he'll go out of his way to throw it to Schultz.

If he can see all his options, I think the interceptions will decrease...

 

[Cydios]

Honestly!? (and I'm not a Dak hater) Accuracy on the pass. I would say that's the only hindering factor. Dak makes it up with his poise and command. It just seems like we don't have a good long ball. It's dinking and dunking again. The yards are all after the catch. I think that's why we need OBJ.

 

[terra]

Slow starts seem a tradition for the Boys; been that way since Aikman's last years.

 

[CowboyoWales]

Obviously, if you can run for 175 plus yards a game, you will be ecstatic, but that isnt going to happen all the time. The Chiefs didnt even pretend to run the ball, and yet they still reached 2 out of 4 SBs and 4 straight afc title games. You call the game as the game is going and make adjustments on the fly. All depends on what the defense is doing. As they stack the box to stop the run, you it them with passes. This is noting new.

If you have Mahomes would you run? It all depends on your roster and what suits them.....with us it's run first.