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

[kskboys]

One of the best things about Schottenheimer offense is that he can run or pass from the same formation. That keeps defensive players guessing.

I heard him saying that in almost every set, he has a run or a pass available.

Ooooooooooo, hadn't considered this, but I find it spot on.

If you'll remember, way too often our RBs got met in the backfield by 2-3 guys. That's not happening anymore.

In that old O, it was way too easy to see when a run was coming. Not so anymore.

Great point.

 

[G2]

The offense runs off of the sum of its parts.

 

[lopey]

Balance balance balance offense is the key to a good overall offense. If you are one dimensional any team can scheme to stop you

 

[sbark]

At some point teams will force the load back onto dak

Early in daks career, NYG said we plan to make Dak beat us. We had a prime Zeke at that time i believe. Its been the game plan since.

Hopefully with CD, Pikns, TE, RB Wiliams.....
We can make teams pick thier poison
And Dak can keep up high level of play
Ala 90's team SB teams

 

[Diehardblues]

Williams has been the biggest surprise so far. We didn’t think we were going to have a running game.

 

[Kwyn]

Ooooooooooo, hadn't considered this, but I find it spot on.

If you'll remember, way too often our RBs got met in the backfield by 2-3 guys. That's not happening anymore.

In that old O, it was way too easy to see when a run was coming. Not so anymore.

Great point.

He even referenced how Fred Warner anticipated all of the Cowboys play calls last year and how he knew he had to create doubt in the defenders minds.

Another example of how McCarthy’s play calling was so out of touch

 

[Mikexike]

100%. If we had grabbed Henry when we had the chance, with the defense we had at the time, we’d be in a much better place right now. Love seeing the run game helping the offense breathe again.

We don't need henry and his game losing fumbles.

 

[sbuscha]

We don't need henry and his game losing fumbles.

When he was available with the defense we had at the time it would have changed our season drastically.

 

[Mikexike]

When he was available with the defense we had at the time it would have changed our season drastically.

I don't think so, We would of fizzled out just like them ravens. Our defense was no where near their level and then you have to think about the guy calling the plays for us. Don't think it would of changed.

 

[kskboys]

100%. If we had grabbed Henry when we had the chance, with the defense we had at the time, we’d be in a much better place right now. Love seeing the run game helping the offense breathe again.

Javonte is much quicker to the hole than Henry. At present, Jovante is a better overall RB than Henry.

 

[RonnieT24]

Javonte is much quicker to the hole than Henry. At present, Jovante is a better overall RB than Henry.

Yeah Henry still has better top end speed (I think) but that long stride of his is a problem when the defense gets penetration. And with Cooper Rush at QB defenses are going to stack the line and come after Henry with a vengeance. Still Henry is a HUGE person player RB. What is he like 6'4" 250-ish? That is just stoopid. So he's going to continue to induce some DBs to making business decisions when he does get to the second level.

 

[Cmac]

Kind of simple......a run game helps a passing attack every time.

 

[RonnieT24]

Kind of simple......a run game helps a passing attack every time.

Nah.. in the words of the great Kellen Moore "yards are yards."

 

[Bobhaze]

Serious question for all the Phil Mafah fans out there:

• “Why do you as a fan see Phil Mafah as a serious option to support Javonte Williams?”

Because I saw him in a few films in practices at TC and in a couple of pre-season games, and I honestly don’t see what excites so many fans here.

In PS games, Mafah had 15 carries for 59 yards against backups and guys who didn’t make NFL rosters. He didn’t look bad, but more importantly he just looked like a decent college RB trying to make it in the NFL.

 

[StarW]

Yeah, my EX-wife never said she was sorry for her cheating BS. She never owned it (thus the EX part of her description). No misunderstandings.

She missed out on the last 30 years of goodness which is me. Rocky was man enough to come clean with an apology. Real men show good character. Thanks Rocky! Cheer up shabazz . . . all is well in Cowboy Town !

Honestly, even she owned it, you still needed to dump her. Good job, bro. You CANNOT be soft on modern women. They won't respect it and will do it again if you don't kick em to the curb.

 

[75boyz]

Serious question for all the Phil Mafah fans out there:

• “Why do you as a fan see Phil Mafah as a serious option to support Javonte Williams?”

Because I saw him in a few films in practices at TC and in a couple of pre-season games, and I honestly don’t see what excites so many fans here.

In PS games, Mafah had 15 carries for 59 yards against backups and guys who didn’t make NFL rosters. He didn’t look bad, but more importantly he just looked like a decent college RB trying to make it in the NFL.

The 2014 Murray or first few years of prime Zeke still has us starving for anything at the RB position, Bob.

Heck, we even basked in the "glory" of names like Pollard and Dowdle while they were here we are so running back famished.

So now, since it's been a few years, we'll latch onto anything resembling competence at running back.
Fortunately, I was wrong in thinking Williams was washed due to previous injuries. He looks to have fully recovered from those early in his career injuries and returned to the strong runner that he originally was.

But as for Mafah...
I'm with you.
I just don't see it.

But I'd be glad to eat some medium well served crow on him too.

jmo

 

[plasticman]

Williams may be one of the best free agent signings the Cowboys have had. He is what the Cowboys have needed ever since Zeke's decline.

He brings balance to the Cowboys offense and defenses must respect his ability. They can no longer simply pin their ears back and go after Dak.

Just like all QBs, Dak is far more effective on 2nd and 4 than he is on 2nd and 9. He has far more options available at 3rd and 2 than he does at 3rd and 12.

Most of all, a successful running game reduces the need to throw as many passes. The Cowboys are far more effective when they can keep Dak's throws to around 30. When Dak has to throw 35 or more passes then the Cowboys probability of winning decreases significantly.

Of course, this means the offense must keep up with their opponent so they can continue to run the ball and not have to abandon the run in the 2nd half.

That's another great thing a successful running game can do.. It actually becomes a very effective defensive tool. A good running game extends drives, eats up clock and keeps the opponent offense on the bench. This also allows the defense more rest so they can be more effective in the 4th quarter.

The only real negative for the RB position here at the Cowboys is that Jerry Jones has absolutely no respect for the position. He definitely loves himself some WR but has always tried to take a hard line with successful RBs.

He'll point to the offensive line like he always does. He's half right but that isn't right enough in the NFL.

Jerry won't offer Williams the type of contract that he wants and Williams can choose 31 other contract offers.

 

[McKDaddy]

He even referenced how Fred Warner anticipated all of the Cowboys play calls last year and how he knew he had to create doubt in the defenders minds.

I haven't studied former plays vs current enough to state an opinion .... but the results & overall flow of the offense does support that defenders aren't tipped off to the play. If he acknowledged & addressed this, put him in the ring of honor this weekend.

 

[xwalker]

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.

It always has been with Dak at QB.

Dak's win percentage is very good when they run the ball effectively.

It is very very high when they run effectively and run for more yards than the opponent.

I posted a spreadsheet a couple of years ago that showed proof.
- Up to that point in his career, if the Cowboys for over 120 yards, his win percentage was over 90%

If they ran for over 120 and held the opponent to less than 120, then his win percentage was over 95%.

I even looked at it when the games were within 10 points to eliminate."running the clock out" padded run stats in blowout wins or losses. There was minimal difference.

 

[Kwyn]

I haven't studied former plays vs current enough to state an opinion .... but the results & overall flow of the offense does support that defenders aren't tipped off to the play. If he acknowledged & addressed this, put him in the ring of honor this weekend.

Yeah, this was a big deal after the game. I think McCarthy downplayed it of course, it Warner has been known for being a genius at predicting plays throughout his career.