As the Dallas Cowboys take a break during their bye week, there’s a pressing need to address the issues that have plagued the team through the first six games. While the team might not be playing, this downtime presents a golden opportunity to recalibrate and prepare for the final stretch of the season. Here are three critical areas the Cowboys must improve upon:
#1. Scoring in the Red Zone
When teams reach the red zone, confidence should soar with the expectation of scoring touchdowns. Unfortunately, the Cowboys have struggled significantly in this department, ranking among the bottom of the league with a dismal 37.5% touchdown rate. Dak Prescott has only completed nine of 23 passes for 80 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions in these crucial situations. Additionally, star receiver CeeDee Lamb has been underwhelming, catching just two passes for 11 yards and failing to find the end zone.
The run game isn’t helping either; the Cowboys have managed only nine rushing yards on nine attempts inside the red zone. This ineffective performance has led to reliance on kicker Brandon Aubrey for field goals rather than scoring touchdowns, highlighting the urgent need for improvement.
2. Stop the Run
On the defensive side, the Cowboys have allowed opposing teams to run all over them, leading to significant scoring outbursts, such as the 47-9 defeat to the Lions. Opponents run the ball against Dallas nearly 51% of the time, averaging 143.2 rushing yards per game, ranking sixth in the league for rushing yards allowed.
A concerning statistic is that 629 of the 859 rushing yards the Cowboys have given up this season have come after contact. This inability to stop the run has also resulted in an average of 1.7 rushing touchdowns allowed per game, the second-worst in the NFL. With key players like Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Eric Kendricks missing time, the bye week could be crucial for healing and regrouping.
3. Play Complimentary Football
To succeed, the Cowboys must learn to play complementary football, where offense and defense support each other. Unfortunately, Dallas has struggled to establish this balance. With a turnover margin of -6, the team is facing uphill battles every game.
The defense is allowing 5.7 yards per play and 3.2 touchdowns per game, both of which rank among the worst in the league. Offensively, the Cowboys have committed 11 turnovers in six games, prolonging the defense’s time on the field and complicating their efforts to regain momentum.
As the Cowboys head into the second half of the season, addressing these three areas will be essential to turning their fortunes around and positioning themselves for a playoff push. Fans and players alike hope that the bye week serves as a catalyst for much-needed improvement.
