The Dallas Cowboys are emerging from their bye week with a record of 3-3, placing them third in the NFC East. After suffering a tough loss to the Detroit Lions, they now face an old rival, the San Francisco 49ers, this Sunday. While the 49ers have had their share of injury woes, they have consistently been a tough matchup for Dallas.
As the Cowboys prepare for a challenging schedule ahead, including games against the Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, and Houston Texans, it’s clear that they need to address several critical issues to stay competitive. Here’s what we’ve learned about the Cowboys as they enter Week 8.
Dak Prescott Needs to Step Up
It’s a tough situation for the Cowboys: the front office didn’t bolster the running back position during the draft or free agency. As a result, Dallas boasts the worst rushing attack in the NFL, averaging just 77.2 yards per game. This puts immense pressure on quarterback Dak Prescott and star receiver CeeDee Lamb to rekindle their chemistry quickly. Head coach Mike McCarthy, who oversees the offensive play-calling, must develop better route concepts to help open up opportunities for the wide receivers. Without significant improvements, the Cowboys’ one-dimensional offense will struggle.
Offensive Line Must Find Stability
This issue ties closely to the first point. Despite having two rookies on the offensive line, which naturally leads to growing pains, the Cowboys need to start building chemistry. Entering Week 8, there should be some improvement, even if minimal. One major area of concern is their execution of combo blocks. Currently, they are failing to provide Prescott with adequate protection, leading to constant pressure. Offensive line coach Mike Solari must work to synchronize their efforts if the Cowboys want any shot at success.
Scoring at the Start of Halves is Crucial
Starting strong in both halves is vital for any team, yet the Cowboys have struggled significantly in this area. They have managed just nine points on their opening drives and 16 to start the second half. Meanwhile, their opponents have scored 30 points on opening possessions and 31 to begin the second half. The Cowboys have only matched their opponents’ scoring twice in these situations. Improving the scripting of their first 15 plays and making effective halftime adjustments is crucial for turning their fortunes around.
As the Cowboys prepare for their matchup against the 49ers, it’s clear that addressing these issues will be critical if they hope to turn their season around. The clock is ticking, and the pressure is on to improve.
