With just one game remaining in the regular season, it’s become pretty clear what the Cowboys offense is and what it isn’t. They are a one-dimensional attack, relying heavily on the arm of Dak Prescott and the legs of CeeDee Lamb. They aren’t a viable running team, capable of shouldering a load or even keeping defenses honest.
The delta between the air and ground game in Dallas is significant. The ground attack is producing an EPA/rush of -0.67 with a success rate of just 40.9%, while the ballistics department is posting +0.21 EPA/attempt through the air with a success rate of 47.1%. The fact the Cowboys offense is somehow ranked No. 2 in the NFL without any credible form of a ground game to be seen, is a testament to the proficiency of the passing game.
Stop me if you heard this one: the Dallas Cowboys are entering the postseason as a one-dimensional offense.
ever since the arizona loss, the cowboys have been one of the nfl's pass-heaviest teams on 1st and 2nd downs in neutral game states
despite this obvious shift in tendency, the gap between their passing and rushing success on early downs has only widened https://t.co/D191b6vAjf pic.twitter.com/r5DBBztN8d
— Cowboys Stats & Graphics (@CowboysStats) January 3, 2024
The Cowboys now find themselves heading into the playoffs with the full weight of the offense on Prescott’s shoulders. It’s similar to how they entered the postseason last year when the running game cratered following Terence Steele’s season-ending knee injury. It also threatens to be their undoing if they can’t fix it and the passing game trips up at some point.