In the same way whipped cream makes pumpkin pie better, presents make Christmas better and hot sauce makes virtually everything better, play-action passing makes NFL aerial attacks better. It’s a tried-and-true wrinkle for offenses to gain separation on routes and boost overall expected points.
Yet, in a bizarre turn of events, play-action passing, a near universal cheat code for an NFL offense, is somehow failing in Dallas. The Cowboys are finding a way to defy odds and actually perform worse with play-action than without it.
And it isn’t for lack of trying. The Cowboys have used play-action 51 times with Dak Prescott this season. That equates to 29 percent of his drop backs. It’s resulted in just 5.4 yards per attempt, a 1:1 TD-to-INT split and three sacks.
Breaking out the @FTNFantasy data for the first time because I was curious about play-action usage so far pic.twitter.com/TVv2EDfA9b
— Computer Cowboy (@benbbaldwin) October 10, 2023
Play action passing represents Prescott’s lowest passer rating this season. It’s a stark contrast from 2022 when play action represented his highest passer rating.
In fact, the only time in Prescott’s career where his numbers have been worse with play-action, was his injury-shortened season in 2020. All other campaigns he’s had markedly better numbers when using play-action compared to non-play action.