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Dallas Cowboys: Good, But Not Playoff Ready

By Daniel Ruppert

Dec 18, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) is sacked in the fourth quarter by Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) and defensive end David Irving (95) at AT&T Stadium. Dallas beat Tampa 26-20. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) is sacked in the fourth quarter by Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) and defensive end David Irving (95) at AT&T Stadium. Dallas beat Tampa 26-20. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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With two weeks left of the regular season, it is time for the Dallas Cowboys to get playoff ready because there is still work left to do.

The Dallas Cowboys put the mediocre offensive performances of the past few weeks behind them and beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It wasn’t a pretty win, but it did show a few things they need to work on before the playoffs. With two weeks left, they can still get everything firing on all cylinders.

Before we start pointing out some of the things that need to be worked out, let’s all take a moment and smile about David Irving. Irving is an inspirational story and has improved immensely. His breakout game against the Buccs can only add confidence to a defense which has gotten better week after week. It was fun to watch and well needed too.

Now on to the things that the Cowboys must work on over the final few weeks to be playoff ready. First, it looks like either the Cowboys are holding off from using Ezekiel Elliott like a true bell cow or they are out thinking themselves. Either way, if the Cowboys are going to have success in the playoffs, they have to allow Elliott to wear down the defense and rack up yards. Hopefully, it is so he is fresh for the playoffs.

Another issue that reared its ugly head were the ill-timed mistakes. This issue has been a theme during Jason Garrett‘s run as head coach so it might be far-fetched to think it will change. However, there needs to be more discipline across the team. Holding is never good, but the timing of the holding has been drive killers. A penalty in the playoffs could decide a win or loss.

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Where everyone seemed to scratch their heads was the playcalling. Two end-arounds failed miserably.  It wasn’t that they tried to do an end-around, it was the timing of them and the quality of them. Lucky Whitehead has been a liability as of late, so why not try running it with Cole Beasley or Lance Dunbar? The playcalling goes hand in hand with getting away from the run. When something is working and the other team can’t stop you, don’t overthink it.

The biggest issue that the Cowboys have heading into the playoffs is overcoming the hurry-up offense. When Tampa put their foot on the gas and went into hurry-up mode there was not much the Cowboys could do to slow it. Sure, some of the issues were the Cowboys had injuries and a short rotation. In the playoffs, teams may try to shorten the rotations anyway. Finding ways to slow down the hurry-up offense will help all three phases of the game.

Next: Dallas Cowboys vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Standouts and Observations

With two weeks left the Cowboys are pretty much who they will be in the playoffs. Which is a good thing as long as they keep winning. However, they can still tighten up a few things and find ways to feed Zeke. If they can get it to all come together in the next two weeks, the Cowboys will be the team no one wants to face.

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