The game of the Cowboys vs. the Falcons was closer than most realize. Although the Falcons appeared to play a better game, the Cowboys beat them in nearly every stat. From total yards, to time of possession and even in first downs and turnovers. On paper, it looks as though the game should’ve easily belonged to Dallas, yet there lies another L. The main reason: the Cowboys offensive line.
The Constant Struggle of the Cowboys Offensive Line This Year
Penalties and the Offensive Line
The Cowboys started the season with several new offensive linemen. There were some powerhouse returning players, like RG Zack Martin and LG Tyler Smith. However, a few players also exited the team: namely, the center, Tyler Biadasz, went to the Commanders, and LT Tyron Smith went to the Jets. The Cowboys promptly replaced them with rookies. First-round pick Tyler Guyton has started his season at left tackle to fill the big shoes of Smith. Third-round pick Cooper Beebe had to tussle with veteran Brock Hoffman for a spot but came out as the center for the team.
Beebe has performed exceptionally well. He hasn’t produced any huge mis-snaps, allowed very few QB hits, and has only one penalty in the five losses for the Cowboys. The same can’t be said about his fellow rookie Guyton, who leads the offensive line in penalties. Guyton received seven penalties over the five losses the Cowboys have faced. Most of those penalties are holding calls, which result in a ten-yard subtraction and completely shift the offense’s momentum.
It isn’t just Guyton, though. Tyler Smith has the second most penalties with three, and he’s a Pro Bowler who should know better. In total, the offensive line has produced 14 penalties. Some of those have offset with other penalties, but they account for roughly 17% of all penalties in their losing games and 36% of all penalties for the team.
Other Problems for the Cowboys Offensive Line
It isn’t just penalties that’s killing this team. Pressures and sacks are also a big reason why the Cowboys struggles shine bright. In their losses, the Cowboys have let Dak Prescott take a lot of heat, a whopping 15 sacks in five games. Similarly, the Cowboys have unprecedented pressures, 74 in those three losses. So the problem isn’t just penalties, it’s structure. And it isn’t allowing this team to succeed.
Originally, a lot of the blame fell on Tyler Guyton again for allowing pressure. However, recently, Terence Steele, the right tackle, has struggled just as much. Martin isn’t playing the kind of ball fans are used to seeing from him, either. So the entire blocking and guarding has suffered, causing increased quarterback hits and a poor running game.
More Consistency Creates Hope
Like every position group, it’s important for all of the players to get those reps in together. This O-Line has struggled to remain healthy. Pro-Bowler Martin has suffered several minor injuries. Guyton was out for several games with a knee injury. He even became injured for a few plays against the Falcons. Upon coming back was when his play became shaky, leading to several penalties.
If the Cowboys can play together and stay together, then that creates the opportunity to synchronize. The difficulty hasn’t been the rookies. It hasn’t been that they’re incapable of playing good football. More than anything, the struggle is the lack of consistently moving parts. When the line has to move with the ball all at once, they have to be in the trenches together. Pending any other injuries, they should get more reps and opportunities to iron out the kinks and become smoother.
Maybe then, the Cowboys can get back to playing some real offensive football.
Main Image: Brett Davis – USA Today Sports
