Why our offense has struggled lately

[Bobhaze]

One of the most common questions we have as fans centers around the idea, “What happened to our offense?”, especially if it started strong and then has a fade. Or the common misconception that most “bad plays” are just “bad play calling”.

The Cowboys offense started out the year on a tear, averaging over 30 points a game and with our bad defense, the offense carried the team’s chances to win and compete for a playoff spot.

But in the last two games vs the broncos and cards, the offense has averaged 21 points per game and the defense averaged giving up 35 points per game. The offense has seemingly been unable to maintain their ability to out score people, and the defense has been bad all year.

Why is this offense struggling?

Well despite the easy targeting of the HC and his play calling, the QB, or the injuries we’ve had, it really boils down to these common issues most NFL teams face:

• Defenses are catching up. As the season progresses, most defensive coordinators are able to get a better handle on how to stop your offense. They learn through film study what an offense does well, doesn’t do as well, then tries to take away what you do well.
• Execution matters more than anything in playcalling. Quite simply, if one or more offensive players blow a block or run the wrong route, the play will likely not work. Sure there are bad calls but many calls don’t work because of a blown assignment more than just a poor play selection.
• The Cowboys OL has struggled lately. The OL has had several injuries and done well at times, struggled in others. Even the great Tyler Smith has struggled lately with a nagging injury and he has a whopping 7 penalties called. Terance Steele has allowed 25 pressures and 4 sacks. Tyler Guyton has given up 29 pressures, 2 sacks and 5 penalties.

The Cowboys still have a good offense. Pretty obvious that defensive coordinators have sold out trying to take away Javonte Williams and the running game. Dak MUST play better when defenses take away the run game.

It’s not uncommon for offenses to struggle more at midseason once DCs have had time to study tendencies and adjust. Now it’s time for our offense to make some adjustments.

 

[Rockport]

One of the most common questions we have as fans centers around the idea, “What happened to our offense?”, especially if it started strong and then has a fade. Or the common misconception that most “bad plays” are just “bad play calling”.

The Cowboys offense started out the year on a tear, averaging over 30 points a game and with our bad defense, the offense carried the team’s chances to win and compete for a playoff spot.

But in the last two games vs the broncos and cards, the offense has averaged 21 points per game and the defense averaged giving up 35 points per game. The offense has seemingly been unable to maintain their ability to out score people, and the defense has been bad all year.

Why is this offense struggling?

Well despite the easy targeting of the HC and his play calling, the QB, or the injuries we’ve had, it really boils down to these common issues most NFL teams face:

• Defenses are catching up. As the season progresses, most defensive coordinators are able to get a better handle on how to stop your offense. They learn through film study what an offense does well, doesn’t do as well, then tries to take away what you do well.
• Execution matters more than anything in playcalling. Quite simply, if one or more offensive players blow a block or run the wrong route, the play will likely not work. Sure there are bad calls but many calls don’t work because of a blown assignment more than just a poor play selection.
• The Cowboys OL has struggled lately. The OL has had several injuries and done well at times, struggled in others. Even the great Tyler Smith has struggled lately with a nagging injury and he has a whopping 7 penalties called. Terance Steele has allowed 25 pressures and 4 sacks. Tyler Guyton has given up 29 pressures, 2 sacks and 5 penalties.

The Cowboys still have a good offense. Pretty obvious that defensive coordinators have sold out trying to take away Javonte Williams and the running game. Dak MUST play better when defenses take away the run game.

It’s not uncommon for offenses to struggle more at midseason once DCs have had time to study tendencies and adjust. Now it’s time for our offense to make some adjustments.

Daks 3rd in the NFL in passing.

 

[HungryLion]

One of the most common questions we have as fans centers around the idea, “What happened to our offense?”, especially if it started strong and then has a fade. Or the common misconception that most “bad plays” are just “bad play calling”.

The Cowboys offense started out the year on a tear, averaging over 30 points a game and with our bad defense, the offense carried the team’s chances to win and compete for a playoff spot.

But in the last two games vs the broncos and cards, the offense has averaged 21 points per game and the defense averaged giving up 35 points per game. The offense has seemingly been unable to maintain their ability to out score people, and the defense has been bad all year.

Why is this offense struggling?

Well despite the easy targeting of the HC and his play calling, the QB, or the injuries we’ve had, it really boils down to these common issues most NFL teams face:

• Defenses are catching up. As the season progresses, most defensive coordinators are able to get a better handle on how to stop your offense. They learn through film study what an offense does well, doesn’t do as well, then tries to take away what you do well.
• Execution matters more than anything in playcalling. Quite simply, if one or more offensive players blow a block or run the wrong route, the play will likely not work. Sure there are bad calls but many calls don’t work because of a blown assignment more than just a poor play selection.
• The Cowboys OL has struggled lately. The OL has had several injuries and done well at times, struggled in others. Even the great Tyler Smith has struggled lately with a nagging injury and he has a whopping 7 penalties called. Terance Steele has allowed 25 pressures and 4 sacks. Tyler Guyton has given up 29 pressures, 2 sacks and 5 penalties.

The Cowboys still have a good offense. Pretty obvious that defensive coordinators have sold out trying to take away Javonte Williams and the running game. Dak MUST play better when defenses take away the run game.

It’s not uncommon for offenses to struggle more at midseason once DCs have had time to study tendencies and adjust. Now it’s time for our offense to make some adjustments.

The offensive line is not playing up to the level of investment they have placed into it thus far.

 

[Ironicalicon]

Dak needs everything to be humming in harmony to play to his potential. When it's not he's above-average at best.

 

[GINeric]

Dak needs everything to be humming in harmony to play to his potential. When it's not he's above-average at best.

What quarterback will have consistent success if the majority of the offense isn't humming? There are a few quarterbacks that are better than Dak that are fighting to make the playoffs this year.

Apparently they need things to be "humming in harmony" as well. So it isn't just Dak, there are elite quarterbacks in the league who's teams don't have good records right now.

 

[Reality]

One of the most common questions we have as fans centers around the idea, “What happened to our offense?”, especially if it started strong and then has a fade. Or the common misconception that most “bad plays” are just “bad play calling”.

The Cowboys offense started out the year on a tear, averaging over 30 points a game and with our bad defense, the offense carried the team’s chances to win and compete for a playoff spot.

But in the last two games vs the broncos and cards, the offense has averaged 21 points per game and the defense averaged giving up 35 points per game. The offense has seemingly been unable to maintain their ability to out score people, and the defense has been bad all year.

Why is this offense struggling?

Well despite the easy targeting of the HC and his play calling, the QB, or the injuries we’ve had, it really boils down to these common issues most NFL teams face:

• Defenses are catching up. As the season progresses, most defensive coordinators are able to get a better handle on how to stop your offense. They learn through film study what an offense does well, doesn’t do as well, then tries to take away what you do well.
• Execution matters more than anything in playcalling. Quite simply, if one or more offensive players blow a block or run the wrong route, the play will likely not work. Sure there are bad calls but many calls don’t work because of a blown assignment more than just a poor play selection.
• The Cowboys OL has struggled lately. The OL has had several injuries and done well at times, struggled in others. Even the great Tyler Smith has struggled lately with a nagging injury and he has a whopping 7 penalties called. Terance Steele has allowed 25 pressures and 4 sacks. Tyler Guyton has given up 29 pressures, 2 sacks and 5 penalties.

The Cowboys still have a good offense. Pretty obvious that defensive coordinators have sold out trying to take away Javonte Williams and the running game. Dak MUST play better when defenses take away the run game.

It’s not uncommon for offenses to struggle more at midseason once DCs have had time to study tendencies and adjust. Now it’s time for our offense to make some adjustments.

I haven't looked at it closely, but it seems like the offense overall was better with the replacement offensive line players. I have said MANY times since he was drafted that I see nothing in Guyton that suggests he's a good left tackle. They should have benched him last year and started someone else this season.

 

[Yobwocs]

I dont' think the Cardinals really 'stopped' us. It was just a bunch of situational plays that should've been made but weren't.

 

[Kwyn]

• The Cowboys OL has struggled lately. The OL has had several injuries and done well at times, struggled in others. Even the great Tyler Smith has struggled lately with a nagging injury and he has a whopping 7 penalties called. Terance Steele has allowed 25 pressures and 4 sacks. Tyler Guyton has given up 29 pressures, 2 sacks and 5 penalties.

The Cowboys still have a good offense. Pretty obvious that defensive coordinators have sold out trying to take away Javonte Williams and the running game. Dak MUST play better when defenses take away the run game.

These two are unfortunately tied together.

The o-line has gotten *worse* as the season has progressed to the point that Dak being good or even great isn’t enough.

Now he has to be MVP level for the offense to put up enough points to stay ahead of our terrible defense.

All this with Williams being shut down and the line looking like a bunch of day three draft picks.

 

[HungryLion]

These two are unfortunately tied together.

The o-line has gotten *worse* as the season has progressed to the point that Dak being good or even great isn’t enough.

Now he has to be MVP level for the offense to put up enough points to stay ahead of our terrible defense.

All this with Williams being shut down and the line looking like a bunch of day three draft picks.

Dak’s pocket movement and awareness is better than it ever has been. Seriously, it’s gotten much better over the last few years. The problem is the OL injuries/and some OL guys just playing bad has been too much to overcome even with Dak avoiding the rush effectively.

 

[Captain43Crash]

I dont' think the Cardinals really 'stopped' us. It was just a bunch of situational plays that should've been made but weren't.

Take off the Rose colored glasses!

They stopped us and slowed us down on offense.
Our offense was pathetic vs the Cardinals and Panthers.
Our OT’s are WAY below average!!!!!

 

[Cowboyny]

One of the most common questions we have as fans centers around the idea, “What happened to our offense?”, especially if it started strong and then has a fade. Or the common misconception that most “bad plays” are just “bad play calling”.

The Cowboys offense started out the year on a tear, averaging over 30 points a game and with our bad defense, the offense carried the team’s chances to win and compete for a playoff spot.

But in the last two games vs the broncos and cards, the offense has averaged 21 points per game and the defense averaged giving up 35 points per game. The offense has seemingly been unable to maintain their ability to out score people, and the defense has been bad all year.

Why is this offense struggling?

Well despite the easy targeting of the HC and his play calling, the QB, or the injuries we’ve had, it really boils down to these common issues most NFL teams face:

• Defenses are catching up. As the season progresses, most defensive coordinators are able to get a better handle on how to stop your offense. They learn through film study what an offense does well, doesn’t do as well, then tries to take away what you do well.
• Execution matters more than anything in playcalling. Quite simply, if one or more offensive players blow a block or run the wrong route, the play will likely not work. Sure there are bad calls but many calls don’t work because of a blown assignment more than just a poor play selection.
• The Cowboys OL has struggled lately. The OL has had several injuries and done well at times, struggled in others. Even the great Tyler Smith has struggled lately with a nagging injury and he has a whopping 7 penalties called. Terance Steele has allowed 25 pressures and 4 sacks. Tyler Guyton has given up 29 pressures, 2 sacks and 5 penalties.

The Cowboys still have a good offense. Pretty obvious that defensive coordinators have sold out trying to take away Javonte Williams and the running game. Dak MUST play better when defenses take away the run game.

It’s not uncommon for offenses to struggle more at midseason once DCs have had time to study tendencies and adjust. Now it’s time for our offense to make some adjustments.

Drive killing penalties and lack of protection

 

[Pessimist_cowboy]

I dont think the Cowboys offense gives Pickens enough opportunities downfield. He's a 50-50 ball monster. Should get at least 3-4 downfield a game. It stretches the defense.

 

[Ranching]

It’s not uncommon for offenses to struggle more at midseason once DCs have had time to study tendencies and adjust. Now it’s time for our offense to make some adjustments.

Actually, this usually works the other way around. Defenses start quicker and offenses catch up to them. In our case, injuries yes, but more likely that the pressure of having to scores a lot of points to compensate for a weak defense, is more than we can handle. Dak has never been a great qb, with that kind of pressure. Players like him need a defense and then drive the bus

 

[WillieBeamen]

Why our offense has struggled lately​

Because Dak has become his regular self

 

[Rockport]

Dak needs everything to be humming in harmony to play to his potential. When it's not he's above-average at best.

All QB’s do

 

[phildadon86]

Daks 3rd in the NFL in passing.

Fantastic.

He’s also looked average against Carolina, Chicago, and Arizona.

3 teams you thought the Cowboys would whoop on.

 

[TheSport78]

Because your quarterback has been mid. Dallas' OL gives up the 4th least sacks. He just can't move and has a low football IQ. Hey, he does great against the Giants and Washington!

 

[Cowboys5217]

I dont' think the Cardinals really 'stopped' us. It was just a bunch of situational plays that should've been made but weren't.

That's called "being stopped".

 

[Cowboys5217]

Because Dak has become his regular self

Yep. As soon as there was no more room for error, playoff Dak showed up.

 

[Cowboys5217]

I dont think the Cowboys offense gives Pickens enough opportunities downfield. He's a 50-50 ball monster. Should get at least 3-4 downfield a game. It stretches the defense.

Dak is horrible at downfield passing.