Dallas Cowboys: This Has to be Linehan’s Last Season

Lost among the Dallas Cowboys’ five game win streak was the offense’s season-long struggles, but this loss to the Colts exposed the truth – Scott Linehan needs to go.

There was a five game stretch in which the Dallas Cowboys became the darlings of the NFC. Fans and media personalities hopped onto the Cowboys train and were ready to ride it deep into the playoffs. It looked as though the Dallas Cowboys could win any game to many. Then the Colts game happened, and everyone was reminded that Scott Linehan is a huge problem for the Cowboys.

Last week I wrote about needing more Amari Cooper and Less Linehan, you can read it here. I also covered how the Dallas Cowboys were near the bottom of the league in scoring in the second and third quarters. I stuck to my guns that the Cowboys were winning in spite of Linehan, not because of him. Then the Colts game happened, and everyone acted surprised.

All of the terrible things about this offense reared its head against the Colts. It all starts with the playcalling outside of the scripted plays at the beginning of the game. After those, the offense becomes predictable, boring, and unimaginative. Nowhere is this more evident than the Red Zone troubles plaguing this team all season. You can’t rank 31st in the league in red-zone offense and expect it not to bite you at some point.

The Cowboys right now are only ahead of the San Francisco 49ers in red-zone percentage. For 2018, the Cowboys have a paltry 44.19% in the red zone, and oddly have a better percentage on the road than at home. Only the Giants are worse at home than the Cowboys, and only by .47%. Again, this will eventually bite you. You can find more red-zone stats here.

Regardless of how much blame you do or do not put on Dak Prescott, the offensive line, the defense, or anyone else, it has to start with the coaching. Right now it is safe to say Jason Garrett‘s job is safe, but Scott Linehan’s has to be coming to an end. The issues have to be apparent to the front office.

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If the Cowboys hope to make some noise in the playoffs, this game has to be the catalyst for change. Scott Linehan has to get over his stubbornness and change for the sake of the team. History isn’t on the side of those of us wanting him to change and it is late in the season. Unless the Cowboys win the Super Bowl, this very well could be Linehan’s last season.

It may be a broken record to keep harping on the need to get rid of Linehan. However, until something changes it is the number one problem plaguing the Dallas Cowboys. We can say Jerry Jones, Jason Garrett, this player, that player, injuries, etc. However, the first change that should happen is replacing Linehan.

For now, we all hope the Cowboys win against the Buccaneers so they can make the playoffs, take the final week off to get healthy, and the defense can carry the team until the offense can take over a game when needed. If I were asked to make a prediction, I would say the Cowboys win against the Bucs but the game will be closer than it needs to be.

• Published on 12/18/2018 at 18:01 PM
• Last updated at 12/18/2018 at 13:59 PM