Changing one aspect of the Dallas Cowboys could pay dividends in the win column. Currently, the Cowboys are 3-5 and are not in the playoff race.
Things can change quickly in the NFL, and the Dallas Cowboys are no strangers to drama, whether on the field or off. It is possible to squeeze into the wild-card round of the playoffs, even if it is a long shot.
The Cowboys are 2.5 games back of the Green Bay Packers for the final wild-card spot. This is their only chance of getting into the postseason because they will not surpass the Washington Commanders.
Several aspects of the Dallas Cowboys’ offense and defense have issues. The bright side is that one aspect of their game can be changed, and it could result in a few wins.
The Aspect of Changing the Offense to Fit the Personnel
What a crazy idea to change the offense slightly to fit the new personnel. This seems almost sacrilegious to this coaching staff.
Fans have witnessed this all season as the offense has floundered outside a decent passing game.
The running game has been basically non-existent for eight games, and a slight tweak could pay off.
Changing the offense to fit the personnel may take a few practices, but it is possible.
The offense has several young offensive linemen who are more athletic than physical, the backup quarterback is about to become the starter, and a new receiver is being added to the game plan.
Know the Personnel, Change the Offense
Cooper Rush does not have the same arm as Dak Prescott and is not as athletic. Short to intermediate passes would create more opportunities for Rush to get the ball to his playmakers.
Jonathan Mingo is a big receiver who is more of the mold of a possession receiver. CeeDee Lamb is a yard after the catch fiend.
Having both of these players run the short to intermediate routes with Rush at quarterback will create big-play opportunities—not big passes, but big passes that let the receivers do work in the open field.
Jerry Jones seems to be excited about the addition of Mingo.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on @1053thefan on trading for WR Jonathan Mingo: “We wanted Mingo when we left that draft. We were disappointed we didn’t get him.”
“We found out that he could be available. When we found that out, we started a dialogue there. We were looking at a…
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) November 8, 2024
Now, use him in a productive manner with a backup quarterback.
Rico Dowdle should be given the running game, but to give him the best opportunity to succeed, let him run the ball outside the tackles. Dowdle is not a power back who can fall forward, but he has more finesse and can make tacklers miss.
Stringing out the running plays also gets the offensive lineman out into space. The young athletic linemen can use their athletic abilities to get a running start at would-be tacklers in space.
Adaptability is a great asset to possess, and getting this offense to an above-average state would help get some wins. The wins may not be pretty, they may not be blowouts, but a win is a win.
The Aspect of Coaching May Stop the One Aspect on Offense
The one aspect may not sit well with Mike McCarthy and his coaching staff.
Mike McCarthy is basically using plays from the Stone Age. The ancient play-calling and lack of imagination is killing this team.
This coaching staff lacks adaptability, and because of this, fans will see Cooper Rush trying to run the same offense as Dak Prescott.
Mike McCarthy has to see the offensive scheme is not working. The 3-5 start should be like a flashing neon sign, but it looks as though the coach may be blind.
The frustration is building with the coach, which can be seen on the field.
It is Mike McCarthy’s own fault.
He has complete control of the offense, but he still chooses to run plays the defense knows are coming. His use of players who have nothing left in the tank is obnoxious.
The coach has to change an aspect of the offense to get the team back on track, especially with new players and a new starting quarterback.
Just one aspect is all it needs, and, honestly, this is not the only aspect that needs to be changed; it is a simple one.
A 3-5 start for a team that had Super Bowl aspirations should be eye-opening for the coaching staff, but it seems to be the same ol’ same ol’ for this team. The lame-duck coach may be playing out his contract to ride off into the sunset.
If that is the case, no aspect can change this team’s ultimate outcome of a losing season.