The success of the run game has set up our offensive success

[Bobhaze]

Without the Cowboys surprisingly good run game so far this year, this offense would not be ranked #1 in total yards. The run game is the engine for the rest of the success we’ve had on offense.

I have come to believe that the run game is the secret weapon of the better NFL offenses. Passing still gets the most yards in the NFL but it’s the teams that can run the ball effectively that have the easiest time passing the ball.

Why? Because if the defense has to worry about the run game, it will cheat its safeties up for run support. Opening all kinds of passing lanes. If defenses don’t have to worry about the run game, their pass defenders can move back, making it harder to pass effectively. The better the run game, the easier it is on the pass game.

Here are some things that Coach Schottenheimer has done with the offense and the run game that have helped:

• Making Dak take more snaps under center rather than in shotgun. If you have a good running game, this makes play action way better. Play action is not very effective in shotgun.
• It’s always helps to have a workhorse back like Javonte Williams. He has been outstanding. (I was dead wrong about him)
• Schotty has stayed committed to the run game unlike Big Mac, who had Dak in shotgun approximately 80% of the time and did not remain committed to the run game even when there were opportunities.
• The success of the run game has allowed this team to take more shots down the field in the passing game. And Schotty hasn’t been afraid to take those shots.

Kudos to the coaches also for making adjustments with injuries to the OL.

One other point: One reason Dak is having such a good year is greatly aided by this running game. QBs that have a strong running game have a much better chance of opening up the entire bag of offensive possibilities.

Bottom line: Having a good running game is what sets the table for everything else we’ve done well on offense so far in 2025. Our future offensive success may depend on that running game.

 

[Point-of-the-Star]

I agree with your premise(s) on all this.

I see a parallel with 2014 when DeMarco Murray was so successful and our offense flourished.

I also was guilty, before the season, of thinking our run game was gonna suck . I am so pleasantly surprised. This is a fun offense to watch.

 

[Coogiguy03]

We owe a lot to Williams and how he's helped this offense, I hope he's able to stay healthy all season, we get blue/Sanders whomever to preserve him so he's not burned out during the time we'll really need him


Good write up haze!!

 

[eromeopolk]

Without the Cowboys surprisingly good run game so far this year, this offense would not be ranked #1 in total yards. The run game is the engine for the rest of the success we’ve had on offense.

I have come to believe that the run game is the secret weapon of the better NFL offenses. Passing still gets the most yards in the NFL but it’s the teams that can run the ball effectively that have the easiest time passing the ball.

Why? Because if the defense has to worry about the run game, it will cheat its safeties up for run support. Opening all kinds of passing lanes. If defenses don’t have to worry about the run game, their pass defenders can move back, making it harder to pass effectively. The better the run game, the easier it is on the pass game.

Here are some things that Coach Schottenheimer has done with the offense and the run game that have helped:

• Making Dak take more snaps under center rather than in shotgun. If you have a good running game, this makes play action way better. Play action is not very effective in shotgun.
• It’s always helps to have a workhorse back like Javonte Williams. He has been outstanding. (I was dead wrong about him)
• Schotty has stayed committed to the run game unlike Big Mac, who had Dak in shotgun approximately 80% of the time and did not remain committed to the run game even when there were opportunities.
• The success of the run game has allowed this team to take more shots down the field in the passing game. And Schotty hasn’t been afraid to take those shots.

Kudos to the coaches also for making adjustments with injuries to the OL.

One other point: One reason Dak is having such a good year is greatly aided by this running game. QBs that have a strong running game have a much better chance of opening up the entire bag of offensive possibilities.

Bottom line: Having a good running game is what sets the table for everything else we’ve done well on offense so far in 2025. Our future offensive success may depend on that running game.

Kiss it. You throw to score and run to win. Dak best years was when they could run to win and he had talent at TE and WR.

But defense wins championships. Jets had nearly 400 yds of total offense and rushed for 144. Thank you for the Jet turnovers and penalties that allowed Dak to rev it up. Over coming this defensive yard gusher is not sustainable.

Carolina game should be a perfect example of throw to score and run to win by either team.

 

[Cowboyny]

Without the Cowboys surprisingly good run game so far this year, this offense would not be ranked #1 in total yards. The run game is the engine for the rest of the success we’ve had on offense.

I have come to believe that the run game is the secret weapon of the better NFL offenses. Passing still gets the most yards in the NFL but it’s the teams that can run the ball effectively that have the easiest time passing the ball.

Why? Because if the defense has to worry about the run game, it will cheat its safeties up for run support. Opening all kinds of passing lanes. If defenses don’t have to worry about the run game, their pass defenders can move back, making it harder to pass effectively. The better the run game, the easier it is on the pass game.

Here are some things that Coach Schottenheimer has done with the offense and the run game that have helped:

• Making Dak take more snaps under center rather than in shotgun. If you have a good running game, this makes play action way better. Play action is not very effective in shotgun.
• It’s always helps to have a workhorse back like Javonte Williams. He has been outstanding. (I was dead wrong about him)
• Schotty has stayed committed to the run game unlike Big Mac, who had Dak in shotgun approximately 80% of the time and did not remain committed to the run game even when there were opportunities.
• The success of the run game has allowed this team to take more shots down the field in the passing game. And Schotty hasn’t been afraid to take those shots.

Kudos to the coaches also for making adjustments with injuries to the OL.

One other point: One reason Dak is having such a good year is greatly aided by this running game. QBs that have a strong running game have a much better chance of opening up the entire bag of offensive possibilities.

Bottom line: Having a good running game is what sets the table for everything else we’ve done well on offense so far in 2025. Our future offensive success may depend on that running game.

Couldn't agree more, this is the key to their success. They haven't had an consistent run game in several seasons and it became easier to defend them. Teams no longer can just play shell coverage against us. Having Dak under center more has disguised their intentions, where the defense has no idea what is coming. I wrote a piece on this exact subject in the offseason how it helped Kyler Murray when Adams was there.

 

[Bobhaze]

Kiss it. You throw to score and run to win. Dak best years was when they could run to win and he had talent at TE and WR.

But defense wins championships. Jets had nearly 400 yds of total offense and rushed for 144. Thank you for the Jet turnovers and penalties that allowed Dak to rev it up. Over coming this defensive yard gusher is not sustainable.

Carolina game should be a perfect example of throw to score and run to win by either team.

Agree - Our defense is still a pushover in the run game. We have to hope the young guys across this defense can develop both individually and as a unit. Their inability to stop the run will undercut our offense obviously.

The biggest problem with our defense IMO is a serious lack of talent. It will take some time to address that.

 

[jazzcat22]

Kiss it. You throw to score and run to win. Dak best years was when they could run to win and he had talent at TE and WR.

But defense wins championships. Jets had nearly 400 yds of total offense and rushed for 144. Thank you for the Jet turnovers and penalties that allowed Dak to rev it up. Over coming this defensive yard gusher is not sustainable.

Carolina game should be a perfect example of throw to score and run to win by either team.

Why do fans have the ... why the other team lost excuse .... as opposed to why Dallas won concept .....

Dallas caused the turnovers, the Jets just didn't give the ball to Dallas.
Cowboys had penalties also.
Cowboys defense made stops when needed, as in past games they did not.
Most of the Jets yards came on the first drive. Then with 12 minutes in the 4th Dallas pretty much went into the prevent defense. Giving up the middle of the field giving up yards to make the Jets run clock.

 

[Mikexike]

Couldn't agree more, I've been on board with everything shotty has been doing. Its ride or die with shotty for the foreseeable future!

JW is the way.

 

[charron]

Teams can never go wrong having success running the ball.

 

[blueblood70]

Without the Cowboys surprisingly good run game so far this year, this offense would not be ranked #1 in total yards. The run game is the engine for the rest of the success we’ve had on offense.

I have come to believe that the run game is the secret weapon of the better NFL offenses. Passing still gets the most yards in the NFL but it’s the teams that can run the ball effectively that have the easiest time passing the ball.

Why? Because if the defense has to worry about the run game, it will cheat its safeties up for run support. Opening all kinds of passing lanes. If defenses don’t have to worry about the run game, their pass defenders can move back, making it harder to pass effectively. The better the run game, the easier it is on the pass game.

Here are some things that Coach Schottenheimer has done with the offense and the run game that have helped:

• Making Dak take more snaps under center rather than in shotgun. If you have a good running game, this makes play action way better. Play action is not very effective in shotgun.
• It’s always helps to have a workhorse back like Javonte Williams. He has been outstanding. (I was dead wrong about him)
• Schotty has stayed committed to the run game unlike Big Mac, who had Dak in shotgun approximately 80% of the time and did not remain committed to the run game even when there were opportunities.
• The success of the run game has allowed this team to take more shots down the field in the passing game. And Schotty hasn’t been afraid to take those shots.

Kudos to the coaches also for making adjustments with injuries to the OL.

One other point: One reason Dak is having such a good year is greatly aided by this running game. QBs that have a strong running game have a much better chance of opening up the entire bag of offensive possibilities.

Bottom line: Having a good running game is what sets the table for everything else we’ve done well on offense so far in 2025. Our future offensive success may depend on that running game.

I agree, let me take it a step further if they want to get ahead of this just in case because what if Williams goes down?

They need to be thinking really hard about bringing Mafah off IR ASAP I know he wasn't that hurt he could come back at any time. You start rotating him and blue in depending on the game plan or bring all three keep Miles Sanders put him on IR so you can stash him for a little while because I believe Phil Mafah has the closest game to Williams...

he's a very tough runner with enough moves just enough moves doesn't do a whole lot more straight ahead but he definitely looked great in training camp and preseason I think he was our most consistent runner if you ask me.

He's physical Get his butt in here and start acclimating him to our offense now,

I mean is it me??

i'm a fan, i'm not a coach ,

but this is what I would be thinking who is the guy that we need to get on track in case Williams goes down and that would be him I really believe he has something but his physicality the way he likes to try to not go down on the first contact I like this guy for that role...

I Think it's that important to make sure we don't Get caught not thinking ahead...

 

[blueblood70]

Teams can never go wrong having success running the ball.

It would be the rule but that doesn't have its faults Who was the top running team last year I believe it was Derek Henry and the Ravens who fell short and what's happening with that now?

is that why the Eagles are possibly struggling saquon barkley's not himself? But these guys have All stars at running back and they're having some problems with continuity right now it could be the play calling so let's not undersell the design of this offense and changing it enough with more motion and like Bob said more under center disguising and marrying the run with the past brian Schottenheimer needs a lot more credit...

It's as important to have the runners and want to run the ball as it is to make sure your designs and your flow with your play calling and your balance between the run and the pass disguising things trying to break from tendencies from game to game this important..

 

[blueblood70]

Agree - Our defense is still a pushover in the run game. We have to hope the young guys across this defense can develop both individually and as a unit. Their inability to stop the run will undercut our offense obviously.

The biggest problem with our defense IMO is a serious lack of talent. It will take some time to address that.

Here's the thing with that I believe it's possible they didn't do it on purpose but this was the design of the game plan against the Jets they went into that going you know what what would we rather have long time eating drives that that could possibly lead to mistakes or only maybe they get three points versus the quick strike constant barrage of easy chunk yards and scores from the other teams passing..

What we saw last week looked a whole lot like Dan Quinn's defenses they chose to go with pressure a 5th man down in to add to the pass rush and they were doing twists and stunts and what was happening is it was leaving some holes in the run game but it felt like they could live with that just like to punch out in the fumble they felt like if they can make them have to drive longer that it's better than getting scored on at will.

I'm not saying they let them run on purpose but in a way it was by design by game plan they had to pick the lesser of both issues that were having..

.

 

[ChuckA1]

My name is Chuck and I was wrong about the running game. Go Cowboys

 

[Praxit]

Without the Cowboys surprisingly good run game so far this year, this offense would not be ranked #1 in total yards. The run game is the engine for the rest of the success we’ve had on offense.

I have come to believe that the run game is the secret weapon of the better NFL offenses. Passing still gets the most yards in the NFL but it’s the teams that can run the ball effectively that have the easiest time passing the ball.

Why? Because if the defense has to worry about the run game, it will cheat its safeties up for run support. Opening all kinds of passing lanes. If defenses don’t have to worry about the run game, their pass defenders can move back, making it harder to pass effectively. The better the run game, the easier it is on the pass game.

Here are some things that Coach Schottenheimer has done with the offense and the run game that have helped:

• Making Dak take more snaps under center rather than in shotgun. If you have a good running game, this makes play action way better. Play action is not very effective in shotgun.
• It’s always helps to have a workhorse back like Javonte Williams. He has been outstanding. (I was dead wrong about him)
• Schotty has stayed committed to the run game unlike Big Mac, who had Dak in shotgun approximately 80% of the time and did not remain committed to the run game even when there were opportunities.
• The success of the run game has allowed this team to take more shots down the field in the passing game. And Schotty hasn’t been afraid to take those shots.

Kudos to the coaches also for making adjustments with injuries to the OL.

One other point: One reason Dak is having such a good year is greatly aided by this running game. QBs that have a strong running game have a much better chance of opening up the entire bag of offensive possibilities.

Bottom line: Having a good running game is what sets the table for everything else we’ve done well on offense so far in 2025. Our future offensive success may depend on that running game.

..since you give Shotty some positive nuances. He's been breath of fresh air for offense.

His play calling, is like wow! sometimes. Of course, when you OL and RB are dialed in, its moves better.

Your right about McCarthy and even JG, where Dak ran shotgun high percent of time.

We're grateful to be, where we are right now. THings looking up.

 

[Cowboys5217]

Williams has been the biggest surprise in many years. A quality back. And yes, I agree that this has opened up the offense. If Williams were the usual JAG FA signing by Jerry then we would probably be 0-5 right now.

 

[Cowboys5217]

My name is Chuck and I was wrong about the running game. Go Cowboys

Me too. I didn't think we would have any running game threat at all.

 

[TequilaCowboy]

Have to admit, Williams has surprised me how hard he is running. Even when he gets tackled it seems he is going forward for extra couple of yards. I like his running style, and hope he doesn’t get hurt.

He is running himself out of Dallas should Jerry get stingy.

 

[Rockport]

Without the Cowboys surprisingly good run game so far this year, this offense would not be ranked #1 in total yards. The run game is the engine for the rest of the success we’ve had on offense.

I have come to believe that the run game is the secret weapon of the better NFL offenses. Passing still gets the most yards in the NFL but it’s the teams that can run the ball effectively that have the easiest time passing the ball.

Why? Because if the defense has to worry about the run game, it will cheat its safeties up for run support. Opening all kinds of passing lanes. If defenses don’t have to worry about the run game, their pass defenders can move back, making it harder to pass effectively. The better the run game, the easier it is on the pass game.

Here are some things that Coach Schottenheimer has done with the offense and the run game that have helped:

• Making Dak take more snaps under center rather than in shotgun. If you have a good running game, this makes play action way better. Play action is not very effective in shotgun.
• It’s always helps to have a workhorse back like Javonte Williams. He has been outstanding. (I was dead wrong about him)
• Schotty has stayed committed to the run game unlike Big Mac, who had Dak in shotgun approximately 80% of the time and did not remain committed to the run game even when there were opportunities.
• The success of the run game has allowed this team to take more shots down the field in the passing game. And Schotty hasn’t been afraid to take those shots.

Kudos to the coaches also for making adjustments with injuries to the OL.

One other point: One reason Dak is having such a good year is greatly aided by this running game. QBs that have a strong running game have a much better chance of opening up the entire bag of offensive possibilities.

Bottom line: Having a good running game is what sets the table for everything else we’ve done well on offense so far in 2025. Our future offensive success may depend on that running game.

Been saying for years because it’s football 101 but the naysayers said it’s all the QB’s fault for any loss.

 

[blueblood70]

Been saying for years because it’s football 101 but the naysayers said it’s all the QB’s fault for any loss.

Yeah, the only problem with this This is not new the Cowboys have always had a pretty damn good running back if not a top one in the league DeMarco Murray, Ezekiel Elliott, and Pollard hell even in 2015 Mcfadden reeled off 1000 yards, Rico nearly 1200 yards,

Problem is, it wasn't sustainable for whatever reason, it didn't carry into the playoffs those guys made mistakes DeMarco Murray fumble that was big in that game Ezekiel Elliott, I mean IT seemed like the offensive line just seemed to have their worst games with either penalties or having us behind the change and not opening up holes against the better D lines...

Was always something,

but the most of the Cowboys teams of the past were centered around the running back but even with Demarco Murray Ezekiel Elliott I mean people considered Pollard a starter I know Rico's were kind of hollow it didn't get us anywhere we've had a little of everything here but it seemed like in the playoffs these things just didn't show up together we've never had the balance between the offense and defense and special teams it was always something going wrong..

Just because we re-discovred a running game, it's not new,

But what happens in the biggest games against the bigger opponents down the stretch say the playoffs are on the line it's always something finds a way to blow up in our faces....

Guess the constant would be blamed a quarterback but when you look at it it's the lack of a run game or the offensive line or guys not getting separation or the defense something's always going wrong at the worst possible time.

I don't like Stephen A Smith but he is right Eventually if it can go wrong it will go wrong for these cowboys we are snake bitten...

 

[Rockport]

I agree with your premise(s) on all this.

I see a parallel with 2014 when DeMarco Murray was so successful and our offense flourished.

I also was guilty, before the season, of thinking our run game was gonna suck . I am so pleasantly surprised. This is a fun offense to watch.

Just about everyone here was. Y’all weren’t even going to give them a chance to prove it one way or the other. I tried telling y’all but instead got relentlessly attacked for the wait and see I was preaching. No one’s even apologized which I knew wasn’t going to happen.