Consider this. The defensive approach to the Cowboys has been stop Zeke, make Dak beat you. Early in the year when the offensive line wasn't gelling after losing 40% of the starters from last year, the team struggled to move people out of the way and Zeke wasn't able to showcase his talent. The notion Zeke was fat amused me when it was floated here.
It might be observed the team lately has been moving people, perhaps the line has come together along with playing teams who were more suspect at defense. In any event the offensive line has been beasting and Zeke was once again the best running back in the league. Because of the events that caused the line to struggle in the beginning, early stats don't matter that much, more because of the line finding its groove. Kind of like Whose line is it anyway. The stats don't matter.
But to be certain, with this line and Zeke, I feel pretty confident he would lead the league again this season. (There may be Cowboy colored glasses in that prediction on my part)
So what is the focal point of the defenses Dallas will face now, without Zeke?
Stop any one of three backs who are less talented than Zeke, and make Dak beat them.
There is a new wrinkle this year from last. On passing downs the defenses are concentrating on Beasley, and taking him away. The Beas was the safety valve for manageable third downs last year. If that is taken away, what now?
With Witten coming into the time in his career where he is clocked with a sun dial, and Dez is either not being used correctly, or disappearing as he has done in so many games, where in this passing game is the beef?
It has been argued the running game protected the defense because of time management. There are those who will toss out stats and say that is not the case.
But one factor that is the case is the team stays in front of the chains. Not to the success of last year by any means. But with the potent running game making the passing game easier, Dallas moves the ball.
And they score touchdowns!
I cannot impress how important that is to score touchdowns and not field goals. The pressure that puts on the opposing team is phenomenal since they can expect Dallas to score a bunch of points. This trickles down through their play calling on both sides of the ball.
The Commander game was an anomaly because of the torrential rain and the passing game being too risky once a lead had been established. Now review what I said. The Commanders could not stop the Dallas passing attack if it were not for the rain because Dallas chose to play it safe.
So going forward expect teams to push eight in the box and shut down the running attack. Teams will not play Dallas straight up in the next four games. They will force the passing game to carry the day. And as we have seen when facing teams with a good secondary, this Dallas team doesn't fare well if they cannot get the run attack ginning.
Coaching will need to bridge the gap here. I believe in Linehan, that he is clever enough. But I also believe deep down that coaching reflects talent. You can tell a player all day long where to be on a certain play that will reap success, and if that player cannot get to that spot, for whatever reason, coaching has gone as far as it can go.
This also speaks to next season in that with a healthy Zeke, and the offensive line still well within its prime, the team needs to look for a special receiver. I am still all about fixing the defense, but the team needs a deep threat that forces teams out of the single high safety because Dallas struggles to stretch the field. This is not Dak's fault. This is speed.
Because the truth about football is you cannot coach speed.