Why can't we run the ball?

[Risen Star]

3.3 a carry yesterday for our lead back. Struggled in 3 of the 4 games to get the run going. Why? You can't say it's the Tyler Smith injury. We had very productive rushing performances with Bass filling in last year.

We have good run blockers across the board.



I know the OC is a run specialist too. I would immediately point to the running back but we ran it well last year with him.

I can't figure out why it has been such an issue this year.

 

[Risen Star]

 

[fivetwos]

I see what the numbers say but is it really that bad? If anything, maybe the play calling is a little off, and I wouldn’t be shocked if there’s a bit of a tell going on.

This team runs well enough to keep teams honest. They are going to have to win in the passing game.

 

[nate dizzle]

Texans are pretty stout against the run and have been all year giving up 3.4, Bal 3.9 is solid, so is Was 4.0...Giants were the worst at 4.7.

 

[erod]

Texans. That's why.

And they didn't even have Al-Shaair yesterday.

 

[sunalsorises]

Teams are also supposed to be focused on the 2 all-world receivers.

 

[Aven8]

I want to see more of Goodson. He’s got some juice to his game.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Through four games, the Cowboys have run 250 offensive plays.

Rushes: 94 (3.8 ypc)
Pass attempts: 150
Sacks: 6

Yesterday 25 rushes/45 passes.

It's just what we do. Nothing seems to change it. It's not 'they can't run' it's they choose not to. You can't change DNA.

 

[thunderpimp91]

The run offense really was trending the wrong way the back half of 2025. Not that they were necessarily bad, but it was a big reason why I thought the offense may regress a bit for 2026. So far I’m dead wrong, but if we don’t get stronger run production the offense will eventually have some duds. Lamb can’t go for 200 yards every game.

 

[JBS]

Through four games, the Cowboys have run 250 offensive plays.

Rushes: 94 (3.8 ypc)
Pass attempts: 150
Sacks: 6

Yesterday 25 rushes/45 passes.

It's just what we do. Nothing seems to change it. It's not 'they can't run' it's they choose not to. You can't change DNA.

The dna of the team is the passing attack. Any idea that that should change is not an intelligent one. Yes we need to run better but it’ll never be the core of this offense and it shouldn’t

 

[zrinkill]

We have average RB's at best

 

[nobody]

The dna of the team is the passing attack. Any idea that that should change is not an intelligent one. Yes we need to run better but it’ll never be the core of this offense and it shouldn’t

You need a capable defense for that. When the defense sucks, you need a ball control offense to control TOP to keep that wretched defense off the field as much as possible. Also, having a good run game opens up the passing game. Until the defense can reliably do it's job, we can not be just a passing team.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

The running game was better yesterday than the raw data shows. Williams' average got killed by all those goal line carries that got stuffed before he finally got in. His yards per carry would have been closer to 5 if not for all those.

 

[erod]

Through four games, the Cowboys have run 250 offensive plays.

Rushes: 94 (3.8 ypc)
Pass attempts: 150
Sacks: 6

Yesterday 25 rushes/45 passes.

It's just what we do. Nothing seems to change it. It's not 'they can't run' it's they choose not to. You can't change DNA.

That's because they've been behind.

I still can't believe the 49ers haven't given up a sack this season.

 

[75boyz]

I dont have a clear cut answer for the run game improvement.

BUT I thought the tale of 2 halves was the oline's pass protection improvement comparing the first to second half.

That improvement and elite pass game threat also opened up the opportunity for Williams's 3 TD runs that he had.

My opinion.
Not some great run game performance but enough to keep the Texans dee honest.

Don't know if this will be the norm for the remainder of the year but I agree with the OP in that IF the run game was like last year I think this offense would really be close to unstoppable.

 

[CATCH17]

I’d like to see more WR screens.

I think that will help keep defenses honest.

I hate negative plays and our lack of run game has us in 3rd and long too often.

 

[Reid1boys]

3.3 a carry yesterday for our lead back. Struggled in 3 of the 4 games to get the run going. Why? You can't say it's the Tyler Smith injury. We had very productive rushing performances with Bass filling in last year.

We have good run blockers across the board.



I know the OC is a run specialist too. I would immediately point to the running back but we ran it well last year with him.

I can't figure out why it has been such an issue this year.

I wont say why, but to dismiss losing one of the best interior lineman in the nfl is foolish. You can not lose a player of that caliber and think you wont miss a beat.

Bottom line:

Through the first month of the 2026 NFL regular season, the top 5 scoring offenses by average points per game (PPG) are :

1. Buffalo Bills – 31.8 PPG
2. Dallas Cowboys – 30.5 PPG (tied)
3. San Francisco 49ers – 30.5 PPG (tied)
4. Carolina Panthers – 30.3 PPG
5. Detroit Lions – 29.8 PPG

and that is with our atrocious line and below avg TE......smh

 

[LouBrown]

They can't generate big plays because Javontae has no legs. They're also way too predictable in the run game early on.

That said, the run game is fine. They just need to come out throwing and open the field up. It's what they did against Washington and in the second half against Houston. They ran all over Baltimore.

It's the best passing offense in football, they shouldn't waste time on the run game early.

 

[Cowboys93]

Javonte is a solid floor but low ceiling kind of guy. I like him a lot but he needs a partner that can bring more juice. I also think the league is just missing top tier RBs. You’re starting to see the teams who paid a premium in draft picks or capital have guys that are earning it

 

[Denim Chicken]

It will also add the team's we've played thus far are on the upper end of run defense:

Ranked yards per game allowed #6, #7, #11, & #12