FRISCO, Texas – The Dallas Cowboys are 1-2 heading into week four. Dallas’ biggest concern facing the Detroit Lions on Sunday is their offense. The Cowboys have scored 41 points in the last three games, the fewest to start a season since 1990. They have averaged less then 200 passing yards since the week 15 game against the Raiders in 2017.
The Cowboys were able to get their ground game going against Seattle with Ezekiel Elliott rushing for 127 yards on 16 carries, but the passing game has to improve as well as the offensive line protecting Dak Prescott from the blitz. Being in the quarterback position for “America’s Team, “ Prescott receives most of the blame and criticism for losses and struggles on the offensive side of the ball.
Dak does need to become more familiar with the receivers added to the roster in 2018 and their speed and tendencies on routes, but a big issue is his protection. In the Seahawks game last Sunday, Dak was sacked five times and hit 12. Many of Prescott’s poor throws, were due to defenders in his face creating a rushed release of the football.
“ Dak has been grinding at this game pretty good, “ Scott Linehan stated. He came in here the year we asked him to be our starter. No expectations and did what no one expected him to do. The expectations rise when that happens and people start to put a bigger weight on that. He is the quarterback and has to play well. I am certainly right there with him 100% with whatever we need to do to get better as an offense. I need to hold myself accountable and he is the most accountable man I have ever been around. “
Everyone has to be held accountable on the Cowboys’ offense and do their jobs. There are a lot of new faces in the receiving core and in the o-line, but the hiccups have to be ironed out now and adjustments need to be made. Jason Garrett has stressed, “ it is not about play calling. It is about everything we are doing offensively and we have to do it better. “
“ It all boils down to execution. He can call whatever play he wants but it goes down to how we execute it, “ said Dak Prescott.
Successful execution will come with the right approach in practice. The Cowboys’ most physical attack, the running game, has to get into a rhythm early against the Lions to open up their passing game. The Lions shut down the Patriot’s offensively in the first half last week, and Dallas’ has to attack Detroit’s one and two-gap defensive front early on Sunday, if they have a hope of coming away with a win at home. The Cowboys’ o –line has to do a better job protecting their quarterback in the pocket and giving him enough time to accurately access his receivers on routes and release the ball. Sunday’s matchup is a must win for the Dallas Cowboys!
