You can boil the offensive struggles down to a few things...

[SibannacRex]

1. Turnovers
* Against the packers, we had two key turnovers that affected momentum and, utlimately, the outcome of the game. Roy Williams fumble right before the half prevented us from scoring (he dropped the ball inside the 30 yard line) and he gave the Packers an opportunity to score instead before the half. A lead going into the second half would have changed JG's approach. Instead of throwing it a will, we would have considered sticking to the plan and running the ball a bit more. We also had a late INT at the goal line that took away more points as we became one-dimensional late in the game.

* Against the Commanders, barber's fumble was a huge momentum changer. We were looking to go up 7-0 (maybe even 10-0-- see below). Again, instead we lose the ball and the momentum. We also later had a bad INT on 4th and 2. If you watch the replay, Romo had three good options to throw the ball to (Witten, Austin and MB3), but he overthrew the ball and turned the ball over.

2. Missed field goals
* Nick Folks missed FGs in both games have killed us. Although the offense has been struggle a bit, getting the lead early impacts the play calling and our ability to control the game. I'm almost certain that the missed FGs affected JG's play calling. JG is known to panic when the team doesn't score early and starts to call much more pass plays.

3. Bad field position (causing long drives and penalties)
* Although the defense has been playing great, they have been giving up long 3rd down conversions. Even though teams aren't scoring much on us, they are keeping the ball longer and moving it close to mid field. As a result, our offense has been consistently starting at or inside our own 20. As we know, our offensive line has trouble maintaining long drives as they inevitably will get called for a drive killing penalty.

If you look at our success on offense earlier in the season, we had one big thing going for us: we scored quickly. Most of our drives for scores had at least one big play. Take away the big play and we are having to go the length of the field methodically, which exposes us to stupid penalties and the potential for turnovers.

 

[RS12]

You forgot recievers who cant get seperation, and a QB who occasionally goes through periods where he is pretty inaccurate.

 

[Rampage]

you also forgot a joke of an OC

 

[Everlastingxxx]

Blah, can’t blame it all on turnovers and missed field goals and field position has been pretty good...better than last year.

If you rewatch the Skins game...they Cowboys were able to move the ball. But they couldn’t convert on 3rd down. Witten is being taken out and Roy Williams dropped 3 catchable passes. 2 would have been for first downs. Until he contributes (or is benched)...this offense won’t improve.

 

[TwoDeep3]

You forgot recievers who cant get seperation, and a QB who occasionally goes through periods where he is pretty inaccurate.

+1000

 

[casmith07]

Romo's interception, while obviously unwanted, was not as bad as it could've been. That sack would've given the Commanders a ton of field position. It's also hard to find the open option when you've got a defensive tackle draped around your legs.

Not making excuses because obviously you can just throw it away too, but on 4th and 2 against a Tampa 2 defense why Garrett didn't call a roll-out and throw to Witten toward the sideline is baffling.

 

[Derinyar]

The thing missing from the offense right now is explosion. We are a 15 yard and under team currently. Its very very hard to sustain those 15-20 play drives with a team that commits penalties, which we do in abundance.

It didn't matter that much early in the year because we were getting 4-5 big plays a game, or at least it seemed that way. Felix would break one for big yards. Roy caught a couple of nice passes against the Giants, iirc. Then Miles went nuts for his two weeks. Since then we have been a 4 yards and a cloud of dust team, which isn't our strength because right now our backs aren't a threat to break a 20+ yard run. Means you can play tighter against us right now making it even harder to sustain those long drives.

 

[TwoDeep3]

There are distinct areas of Romo's passing game that are a problem.

When you look at his passes, he is throwing high on crossing routes and the sideline routes.

The Washington game for instance is indicative of what has been seen all year. He tosses the crossing routes high. Is some of this the pocket protection? Unknown. But this has occurred since the Tampa game.

Examples: Look at the routes Austin was successful on during the TD drive against Washington. He is doing comeback routes. Romo is throwing to a spot and the receiver is running to the spot and the ball is delivered. But this is more of a vertical route versus a horizontal route where the receiver is crossing in front of Romo.

But even still you look at the last first down Austin caught. It was high and he had to leap to catch the ball.

I am not bashing Romo, although I expect some will take it this way.

If this is mechanics then someone needs to work with him and fix this. But this is simply not Roy Williams being a dog on the field. Austin experienced these same high and wide passes in the last several games.

Now I expect the team sees this when watching film. So the real question is if changing Romo's mechanics would not be a great idea in the middle of the season, why doesn't Garrett call different pass plays that work to the strength of Romo. The passes he throws accurately.

One last point. Why do so many of the routes require such a long time to develop?

Take what they give you, Garrett.

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

2 things, in this order: (1) An unqulaified offensive coordinator, and (2) an underacheiving, overcomplaining #1 WR.

 

[reddyuta]

Blah, can’t blame it all on turnovers and missed field goals and field position has been pretty good...better than last year.

If you rewatch the Skins game...they Cowboys were able to move the ball. But they couldn’t convert on 3rd down. Witten is being taken out and Roy Williams dropped 3 catchable passes. 2 would have been for first downs. Until he contributes (or is benched)...this offense won’t improve.

This.on our final drive tony threw it to witten on double coverage anyway but teams know he is our 3rd down guy.we need to invovle our backs in the passing gaming to get some 3rd down conversions.

 

[jubal]

Twodeep3 Finally said what i've been waiting for someone else to see. Why does it take so long for routes to develop?
Roy needs to do one break moves. Austen can do two move jukes. Sometimes Barber does'nt have time to get set for a dump or dink pass.
Tony needs the sign we had at work,Its hard to remember the object is to drain the swamp when you are up to your rear in alligators. In this case blitzers. I feel this is why so much shotgun. When the ball is snapped do your ONE MISSISSIPPI's and see what we are talking about.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

1. Turnovers
* Against the packers, we had two key turnovers that affected momentum and, utlimately, the outcome of the game. Roy Williams fumble right before the half prevented us from scoring (he dropped the ball inside the 30 yard line) and he gave the Packers an opportunity to score instead before the half. A lead going into the second half would have changed JG's approach. Instead of throwing it a will, we would have considered sticking to the plan and running the ball a bit more. We also had a late INT at the goal line that took away more points as we became one-dimensional late in the game.

* Against the Commanders, barber's fumble was a huge momentum changer. We were looking to go up 7-0 (maybe even 10-0-- see below). Again, instead we lose the ball and the momentum. We also later had a bad INT on 4th and 2. If you watch the replay, Romo had three good options to throw the ball to (Witten, Austin and MB3), but he overthrew the ball and turned the ball over.

2. Missed field goals
* Nick Folks missed FGs in both games have killed us. Although the offense has been struggle a bit, getting the lead early impacts the play calling and our ability to control the game. I'm almost certain that the missed FGs affected JG's play calling. JG is known to panic when the team doesn't score early and starts to call much more pass plays.

3. Bad field position (causing long drives and penalties)
* Although the defense has been playing great, they have been giving up long 3rd down conversions. Even though teams aren't scoring much on us, they are keeping the ball longer and moving it close to mid field. As a result, our offense has been consistently starting at or inside our own 20. As we know, our offensive line has trouble maintaining long drives as they inevitably will get called for a drive killing penalty.

If you look at our success on offense earlier in the season, we had one big thing going for us: we scored quickly. Most of our drives for scores had at least one big play. Take away the big play and we are having to go the length of the field methodically, which exposes us to stupid penalties and the potential for turnovers.

a football mind...you and I can converse all day...even if we agree or disagree. Because based on what I just read you UNDERSTAND the game. Every time we give up a 3rd and long...the opposition flips the field. The defense would stop the Skins EVENTUALLY...but there were chances to stop the Skins on THEIR side of the field and give our offense to start on the 35....and turnovers early are a serious momentum killer.

 

[kramskoi]

The thing missing from the offense right now is explosion. We are a 15 yard and under team currently. Its very very hard to sustain those 15-20 play drives with a team that commits penalties, which we do in abundance.

It didn't matter that much early in the year because we were getting 4-5 big plays a game, or at least it seemed that way. Felix would break one for big yards. Roy caught a couple of nice passes against the Giants, iirc. Then Miles went nuts for his two weeks. Since then we have been a 4 yards and a cloud of dust team, which isn't our strength because right now our backs aren't a threat to break a 20+ yard run. Means you can play tighter against us right now making it even harder to sustain those long drives.

...well i'm not sure its four yds and all that...get your point but NOBODY was money on third down last sunday...this includes Witten and Austin, not just Roy Williams...Romo was off the reservation again, hopefully because of the back...if his accuracy does'nt improve then converting third downs in the passing game won't either...the passing offense went 0-6 on third down, including the 4th down pic intended for Austin...2 to Witten 3 to Williams and 1 to Austin...you don't necessarily need 20+ yd runs...what you do need is CONSISTENCY...judging by the second drive, which went 6-35 yds rushing, Dallas will run the ball when they really want to...that the drive ended with Barber's fumble does'nt mitigate that fact...

...i think we've all been spoiled by the big-play 2007 offense...as such it does'nt seem this team is comfortable grinding it out on offense...i was beginning to think they were after the Philly game...not so much after these last two games...teams sit 2 safeties deep and make you go the long way 'round and this puts a premium on third down conversions and limiting mistakes on offense...the 5th drive last sunday was the only series where penalties really hurt them...on the 8th drive there was one [illegal shift-Bennett] but then there was the only sack of the game [-6 yds] and it killed the drive...4 of 9 drives were undone by penalty, sack or turnover...the 7th drive was horrific with the throw to Williams deep left and the throw deep right to whomever, separated by a 3 yd run...

...the bottom line is that Dallas could'nt convert third downs with the passing game and it ain't just Williams fault...and no i'm not ignoring the fact that he's producing like a second stringer right now [his DYAR has slipped to [5] while Crayton has improved to [51]...QB-TE-WR have to get it done on third down in this league...

 

[speedkilz88]

It seems like Tony has to buy time in the pocket (or out of it) before they can get a wr open. Which means to me that the teams have figured out the scheme, or at least the routes which always seem to be mid-range depth. They also don't dump off to the rbs like the offense is suppose to like they did in the 90s.