A second Cowboys loss may feel sour, but what they put out against the Ravens is different than what happened with the Saints. The difference is just one word: Effort. Instead of rolling over and giving up, the Cowboys offense managed to keep the fight alive.
Three Ways the Cowboys Offense Can Still Save Their 2024 Season
Cowboys Offense Scored Touchdowns, But Not Early Enough
As the season progresses, this Cowboys team continues to struggle with touchdowns. Much of that criticism is heaped on Dak Prescott.
Although it isn’t all on Prescott’s shoulders, lots of what he’s putting out early in the game is underthrown and overthrown balls to his targets, along with the inability to see the open man and the unwillingness to spread the ball out. Prescott went 28 of 51, only making almost half of his targets work.
While 19 points in the fourth quarter is great, it would be better if the Cowboys could get that same momentum going earlier. Scoring one more touchdown or getting into field goal range one more time was the difference between winning and losing in this game.
Spreading the Ball Around is the Winning Strategy
It isn’t all on Prescott. It can’t be since there are ten other guys on the field offensively.
Even though it was “too little, too late”, Prescott did manage to spread the ball around in the game.
Some notable targets were Hunter Luepke, who was hit twice for 41 yards. Jalen Tolbert also received some necessary targets and made incredible catches. Kavontae Turpin, known solely as a returner, also made his true debut as a wide receiver with a touchdown catch.
The talent for Prescott has been there. Maybe it’s Mike McCarthy calling the shots, or maybe it’s Prescott without the trust, but in the tightest moments, these guys pulled through.
Someone who surprisingly struggled was CeeDee Lamb, who went 4 of 7 for 67 yards.
When Lamb was finally called off of the field, the Cowboys could make those necessary connections.
Obviously, Lamb wants to be that guy for the Cowboys, but missing training camp is separating that connection. Prescott and Lamb have been missing each other since the end of last season against Green Bay. They still haven’t regained that synergy.
But, when Lamb did make awesome plays, they were called back by flags. Rookie LT Tyler Guyton and TE Brevyn Spann-Ford cost the team penalties that would’ve placed them in a position to score. They can’t keep costing the team this way.
Because the Cowboys need all the help they can get.
Cowboys O-Line Has to Keep Moving Forward
Although Prescott still received quite a few pressures, there were a few times that the line held together well.
They only allowed 18 pressures, their third game in a row with fewer than 20 pressures. To put it into perspective, Prescott took 51 passes, and about a third had pressure. That’s not bad for an O-Line bearing two rookies.
The Cowboys offensive linemen are also learning how to make room for the run game. Although the run still needs improvement, the line is starting to find ways for it to be successful.
One improvement McCarthy may want to concede to is letting one running back own the entire game, from start to finish. Then cycle running backs throughout the season instead of the game. That way, the Cowboys could see real production, improvement, and consistency from their RB room. There’s still talent in this running back room, but they need a system that allows it to be displayed.
Cowboys Offense Can Keep Progressing Forward
The Cowboys streak of no losses at home is over. Their ambitions toward a repeated 12-5 season are probably gone too.
But with the records and the status out of the way, they can return to playing actual football. Instead of depending on who they used to be, they can change who they are, fix the narrative about themselves, and come to play the game.
Every week is about growth, and they’re showing it right now.
Main Photo: [Kevin Jairaj] – USA Today Sports
