FRISCO, TEXAS — Though most of the Cowboys’ 2019 season has been inconsistent, one thing has remained constant: the team’s stellar pass protection. Dallas’ offensive line has allowed the lowest percentage of sacks in the league this season, with only 3.4 % of passing plays resulting in a sack. Dak Prescott’s sack numbers have drastically gone down in 2019 with 20 total sacks as opposed to 56 allowed in 2018.
Dak told me,“ Yes, so much credit to them [o-line] and especially from last year to this year. The numbers are top to bottom; they completely flipped and credit to them and credit to our communication as a group. Credit to receivers, the backs; everybody takes part in that when your numbers change and when they change that drastically. So, credit to those guys, proud of them. Good part of the season.”
No.4 has been more comfortable and confident in the pocket in 2019, resulting in more deep balls downfield and greater accuracy on the throws downfield. Dak has more time to go through progressions and to time receivers on routes. Commentators have joked throughout the team’s broadcast in 2019 “Dak could bake a cake back there [the pocket].
Completions from 20+ yards:
2019- 63
2018- 39
2017- 34
2016- 38
Completions from 40+ yards:
2019- 14
2018- 9
2017- 8
2016- 8
I spoke with offensive coordinator Kellen Moore on the o-line’s effective pass protection and he responded, “ Obviously, a really smart group and a lot of pass protection is being smart; guys that can see the big picture and see those things and Travis does a great job with those guys; Dak does. They just do a really good job communicating and I think that’s been the biggest aspect of that thing when they are all on the same page, good things happen.”
They certainly have been this season in regards to the passing game and because of the improved communication; the Cowboys’ have been ranked No.1 in total offense and in pass offense for the majority of the 2019 season. In addition, three offensive linemen were invited to the Pro Bowl: Travis Frederick, Zack Martin, and Tyron Smith. Not all the credit goes to the o-line, though. Dak has done a better job in his fourth year at recognizing blitz packages and reacting to certain looks by opposing defenses. Both have been the highlight of the team’s otherwise disappointing season.
