Warren Sharp Football

[XXLMike]

The Cowboys Should Stick With Play Action

In Dak Prescott's last two season, the Cowboys never used extensive amounts of play action. The NFL average was a 26% usage rate.

The Cowboys:

• 2020: 28%
• 2021: 26%

But since Prescott's return from injury, the Cowboys have used play action on an incredible 48% of his dropbacks. That ranks No. 1 in the NFL over that span (minimum of 50 attempts).

Compare the Cowboys' historical rate of play action on early downs in the first three quarters:

• 2020: 45%
• 2021: 37%
• 2022 with Cooper Rush: 41%
• 2022 last two weeks with Dak Prescott: 54%

Prescott's splits with and without play action the last two weeks on these early down dropbacks?

• With play action: +0.28 EPA/att, 52% success, 7.1 YPA, 1 TD, 0 INT
• Without play action: -0.12 EPA/att, 50% success, 6.8 YPA, 0 TD, 1 INT

The Cowboys would be wise to utilize play action at a high rate when they return from their Week 9 bye.