The sky is falling. No, really. At AT&T Stadium on Sunday, November 17, 2024, pieces of the retractable roof fell onto the field prior to the game. Whether it was foreshadowing the sky falling down for Cowboys fans, or a reflection of what this season has felt like, either is possible. A big reason why the sky has felt like it’s falling for the Dallas Cowboys offense stems from an unexpected place: their third-quarter play.
The Dallas Cowboys Offense Continues to Struggle, Especially in the Third Quarter
Dallas Cowboys Offense Stats for 2024 So Far
It’s no secret that the Cowboys have struggled offensively all season. Their Red Zone conversion rate is at an all-time low. Although the Cowboys first and third down conversions are just as good as their opponents, they’re lacking efficiency. When comparing touchdowns, the Cowboys scored half as many as their opponents, only scoring 17 touchdowns to their opponents’ 34.
Most of that difference comes from the third quarter. By only analyzing the losses, it’s clear that the Cowboys offense has a big separation during the third quarter. Nearly 50% of those 17 touchdowns were scored in the fourth quarter. Another 35% are scored in the second quarter. The third quarter though has only seen one touchdown all season. This leads to the Cowboys having detrimental third quarters. When it comes to the third quarter, the Cowboys managed to score only 15 points compared to over four times that of the opponents, who scored 68 points.
Why The Defense Isn’t to Blame
While there’s much to be said about the Cowboys defense and their inability to shut down big scores after half-time, not enough is said about the scores before half-time. In four out of the last five losses, the score at the half is a one-score game. They’re so close to being in the game, yet whenever they come back, they come up with nothing.
The lack of complimentary football started with the defense. Defensively, the Cowboys struggled to stop the run early in the season, but that isn’t the case anymore. Although Joe Mixon barely crossed the 100 rushing yard mark, Saquon Barkley and Bijan Robinson failed to hit over 100 in their games versus the Cowboys. When the offense is constantly going three and out, it doesn’t give the defense any time to rest, causing these gruesome endings.
However, in this past game against the Texans, it was also a lack of cohesion. All-Pro kicker Brandon Aubrey missed a key field goal. Mike McCarthy chose to go for it on 4th down while at the Houston eight-yard line, where a field goal would’ve given momentum. Then there was the scoop and score right after. Without all of these blunders, the score could’ve been Cowboys 16 to Texans 27. Not much better, but not the blowout result either.
Dallas Cowboys Offense with Time to Get Something Going
The Cowboys coaching staff and management aren’t throwing in the towel yet. If they were, they’d be more willing to start Trey Lance instead of pushing the narrative that Cooper Rush is a better quarterback. It makes sense though. Many of the coaches are in their final contract year. If they throw in the towel, they won’t be making any coaching decisions next season.
So instead, Rush will get the opportunity to build a better offense than the one touchdown he has managed since the Dak Prescott injury. Although the sky has already figuratively, and literally, fallen, there’s still a chance to repair it. Just like the ceiling, the Cowboys offense can put the pieces back together and start over. No better time than the present to jump back in and make it so the Cowboys don’t end the season a laughing stock.
Main Image: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
