The Dallas Cowboys have finally found the solution to their red zone struggles. The offense began the season on a very bright note but often fell flat in the red zone. Dallas has finally found a cure for the Red Zone sickness that plagued the offense for so long. The Dallas Cowboys lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 23-28 in a tough-fought game. Here’s who contributed most on scoring plays against Philadelphia, and how Dallas will utilize them going forward.
The Dallas Cowboys Capitalized On Nearly Every Red Zone Visit
Tight End Jake Ferguson
The secret sauce has leaked, as it’s no longer a secret just how good Jake Ferguson is becoming. Ferguson recorded a record game, snagging 7 balls for 91 yards and a touchdown. Ferguson has now scored two consecutive years against the Philadelphia Eagles. His red zone touchdown gave Dallas handfuls of momentum that kept them in the game. Ferguson’s second touchdown in two weeks makes him a reliable safety valve, both on the field and in Fantasy Football.
The second-year Wisconsin graduate has been beyond proving his worth since last year’s draft. The Cowboys put the pressure on Ferguson in the offseason, drafting Tight End Luke Schoonmaker from Michigan. Ferguson’s production has excelled far past expectations and has secured him the TE1 spot in Dallas. Ferguson’s touchdown compared to Schoonmaker’s near touchdown goes to show that the Tight End game is no longer an afterthought in Dallas. The Cowboys finally dipped their toes in the deep end against Philadelphia, and it’s thanks much in part to Ferguson. Look for him to be a red zone target for the Cowboys next week against the New York Giants.
Wide Reciever Kavontae Turpin
CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup, Brandin Cooks. Combined, they have five touchdowns at the moment. Kavontae Turpin has a lot of them. Whether Dallas fans are ready to accept it or not, Turpin is becoming a heavily favored touchdown maker. His name isn’t CeeDee Lamb, which will send Cowboys fans into a panic. It’s not time to do so, however, as Lamb’s production hasn’t been hindered by Turpin. They’re different players who play the game differently. It’s safe to say that Kavontae Turpin’s continued red zone success puts the Cowboys ahead of the traditional offensive curve.
Straight line speed, crisp routes, and sticky hands. These are some of Dallas favorite things. Turpin’s Touchdown catch vs the Eagles displayed his impressive concentration skills and vacuum hands. Scoring in the red zone requires at least two of the three following, and Turpin has them all. The former USFL MVP is outplaying defenders and receivers in nearly every game he’s played. Look for an increase in red zone targets for Turpin, as he has beyond outplayed his Touchdown price for the Cowboys.
Bonus: Wide Receiver Jalen Tolbert
There’s a silver lining to the clouds over AT&T Stadium right now. The Cowboys found a new way to score in the red zone, getting the ball to their young playmaker. Wide Receiver Jalen Tolbert broke free to score a red-zone touchdown, finding the end zone for the first time in his career. Cowboys fans should be excited over this result, as his involvement continued to be minuscule. Tolbert’s first touchdown won’t mean he’s a red-zone merchant, though.
Tolbert’s touchdown allows other talented players like CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks to act as offensive decoys. The more players who find the end zone, the less predictable Dallas offense becomes. Tolbert’s end zone emergence was special, and Cowboys fans deserved it. Tolbert does not hold much fantasy football potential, as he is a pawn in a field full of rooks. He will likely get an increase in red-zone targets and catches per game after his breakout. The Cowboys red zone issues seemed to virtually disappear against Philadelphia, and the offense is gelling more by the day. Look for the three players above to get more involved in the end zone for Dallas.
Main Photo Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
