With the bye week in the rearview mirror, the Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for their Week 8 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. While head coach Mike McCarthy claims this game isn’t a “must-win,” the stakes feel high after the team’s disheartening loss to the Detroit Lions. A defeat against the Niners could signal further unraveling for a season already marked by inconsistency.
To avoid being overwhelmed like they were in Detroit, the Cowboys must enhance their ground game on both offense and defense. Offensive line coach Mike Solari expressed confidence that the running game will improve as the season progresses.
“There is no doubt we will get the running game going,” Solari stated, as reported by Jon Machota of The Athletic. “It’s a young group. It’s going to be ascending. I really believe we’ll get better each week. It’s just a matter of us getting those efficient runs, plus 4-yard runs and then in certain situations moving the chains. That’s the most important thing. It’s the consistency of the technique and fundamentals.”
No team has struggled to run the ball more than the Cowboys. Can it be fixed?
O-line coach Mike Solari: “There is no doubt we will get the running game going. It’s a young group. It’s going to be ascending. I really believe we’ll get better each week.” https://t.co/ezre33R4im
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) October 21, 2024
The Cowboys’ offensive line does have youth on its side. While veterans like Zack Martin and Terence Steele provide experience, Tyler Smith is in his third season, and rookies Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe are still finding their footing. Even T.J. Bass, in his second year, has been called upon for depth.
However, the struggles extend beyond the offensive line. The backfield has also been underwhelming. Rico Dowdle has shown flashes of potential, but neither Ezekiel Elliott nor Deuce Vaughn has provided adequate support. There have been calls to activate Dalvin Cook from the practice squad, yet the coaching staff has yet to make that move.
It’s difficult to envision a worse performance than what the Cowboys have shown thus far. After six games, they’ve accumulated just 463 rushing yards and scored only two touchdowns, both of which rank them last in the NFL. With a challenging matchup ahead, the Cowboys are hoping for a turnaround that starts with a stronger run game.
