Why has the offense gone so far down hill?

[KJJ]

It’s pretty obvious why our offense has taken a huge dive from where it was last season. Our passing game hasn’t been nearly as productive playing with a backup QB and our WRs haven’t been as good. Dalton Schultz hasn’t been a big part of the passing game like last season. With our QB situation we’re having to protect Cooper Rush by committing to the run. We only passed the ball 16 times yesterday and ran the ball 30 times. You’re not going to have a productive high scoring offense without a potent passing attack. The Cowboys have only scored 5 TDs all season with only 4 passing TDs. If it wasn’t for our defense we would be no better than 1-4 or possibly 0-5. We have one of the best defenses we’ve had in many years and one of the worst offenses.

 

[john van brocklin]

Were they really that good last season? A few of the games they were able to pile up stats against NFC East doormats. Take away those games and the offense is far less dominating.

I don't think Dak coming back is going to make that big of a difference. There will be a minimal improvement at best, and I base this off the awful performance in week 1. Dak accounted for 3 points - thats it. I will be surprised if the offense makes any noticeable improvement at all.

See that's the thing:
Dak had some great games last year.
He also had some stinkers.
Rush is just consistently good.
With our defense, that been a winning formula.

 

[MonsterD]

Ask yourself this. Is Kellen Moore a great O-coordinator that can use talent effectively and scheme with lesser talent to get more from them? We all know what the answer is.

 

[America's Cowboy]

Brother, we have a new Oline.

It's taken several weeks for our Oline to get going and gel to what we are seeing today. The same could be said about our receiving crew. Plus, it didn't help our Offense at all to have Coach McCarthy not allow our 1st string Offense not play all preseason long. This Offense has had to rebuild, so it is no surprise it has struggled to put up points so far. Finally, our starting QB has been out with injury since Game #1, so it all affects our Offense's ability to put up points. It should improve once Dak comes back. It might take a game or two or three though.

 

[Bates]

Play calling philosophy has changed drastically and we haven’t had to question that or open it up. We run far fewer plays per game now and we are running the ball slightly worse than last year and conservative in the pass game.

 

[MountaineerCowboy]

The Dak led Cowboys were good for 3 points in 3 1/2 quarters this year.

What do you expect to change?

 

[Proof]

we don’t have to throw 40+ times a game now.

funny enough in our four highest scoring games we didn’t eclipse 40 throws once

 

[KDM256]

No WR who can create separation or rack up on YAC yards.

Running game that's focus on running the ball between the tackles and not attack the edges

Backup Qb who throws 5 yard crossing/ slant routes, 7 yard hitches with a maximum of 3 passing attempts of 20+ yards to muster up >150 yards ago (if that)

 

[CowboyRoy]

We were a top three offense last year. Now we’re what, 26th? Amari Cooper doesn’t make THAT MUCH difference, but when you add the loss of Tyron Smith, Dak being out the last four weeks, and Gallup missing the first couple of games, is that enough?

So when Dak and Peters and Washington all come back, how much difference will it make?

When you lose one of the best QB's in the NFL and put in a bus driver you have to dumb down the offense. But what did you expect from an offense featuring Zeke and Rush?

Its also the defense. Dont have to score as much so we need to take as many chances.

 

[cguy610]

We're not chasing deficits and launching the ball the ball 50 times a game.

Really? The team went 12-5 last season and won the division. Yet according to you, they were "chasing deficits" and had to throw 50 times a game.

Give me a break!

 

[CowboyRoy]

This offense featuring Zeke and Rush has been scoring 22.5 points a game average. Dak managed 3 points in week 1. So who is really doing better?

WOW!!!! 22 per week? Incredible!!!

Dak averaged 31 per week last year. Anything else?

Started to feel the pile build up in your throat yet?

 

[Mr_437]

Really? The team went 12-5 last season and won the division. Yet according to you, they were "chasing deficits" and had to throw 50 times a game.

Give me a break!

Do you truly understand what he means?

 

[cguy610]

Do you truly understand what he means?

Teams do not go 12-5 and win the division if they are chasing deficits all season.

 

[acr731]

WOW!!!! 22 per week? Incredible!!!

Dak averaged 31 per week last year. Anything else?

Started to feel the pile build up in your throat yet?

Key part - last year.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Key part - last year.

Well there is plenty of games left in the year buddy. Are you going to stick around for it or run off and hide again?

 

[ESisback]

When you lose one of the best QB's in the NFL and put in a bus driver you have to dumb down the offense. But what did you expect from an offense featuring Zeke and Rush?

Its also the defense. Dont have to score as much so we need to take as many chances.

1)Dak is probably in the 10-15 range
2)Any backup QB gets a “dumb downed” playbook
3)The Zeke and Pollard tandem is pretty good. If we can lean on that, we can have better balance, like the 90’s teams.

 

[CowboyRoy]

1)Dak is probably in the 10-15 range
2)Any backup QB gets a “dumb downed” playbook
3)The Zeke and Pollard tandem is pretty good. If we can lean on that, we can have better balance, like the 90’s teams.

You can think what you want. NFL players have spoken and they agree with CowboyRoy!!! Top 10. And since thats where most pundits put him on their QB list, we will just say that you are in the minority. Or in denial. Whichever you prefer.

Pollard is good, Zeke not so much. As long as the Oline is healthy we should able to afford some balance.

 

[CowboyRoy]

I'm not going anywhere. Are you going to hide if the team starts losing when Dak returns?

Unlike you, I am actually a fan of the team.

 

[reddyuta]

first off Cooper Rush really struggles to throw it to the sidelines,there is a reason he was undrafted.The cowboys are being smart in limiting his throws and running the ball a lot.we can only hope Dak regains his old form when he comes back because this offense wont win us any playoff games.

 

[JD_KaPow]

We were a top three offense last year. Now we’re what, 26th? Amari Cooper doesn’t make THAT MUCH difference, but when you add the loss of Tyron Smith, Dak being out the last four weeks, and Gallup missing the first couple of games, is that enough?

So when Dak and Peters and Washington all come back, how much difference will it make?

You answered it yourself, didn't you?
No Dak, no Cooper, no Tyron, limited Gallup/Schultz, no La'El or Collins (they weren't great, but when healthy they were better than the current starters).
If you think back to the offseason, everyone expected the offense to take a substantial step back, and that was with Dak and Tyron expected to play.