The Biggest Issue Holding the Dallas Cowboys Back

The Dallas Cowboys are plagued by a myriad of problems this season but one issue still stands out above the others and, if corrected, could save the lost season of 2019.

I can hear it now: “bad coaching” and “bad execution” are raining down from the lips of Cowboys Nation answering the question posed in the headline. But I’m not here to discuss blanket issues today, I want to break down problems on a smaller level and get to the core of the Dallas Cowboys problems this season.

While coaching is certainly an issue, as is under achievement from the the roster, these are basically all encompassing excuses that any and every team can claim. When you break it down on a micro level and look at specific issues, you’ll see one stands out above the rest and leads to a “trickle down effect of disaster”. Correcting it wouldn’t solve the other issues, but it would mask them. And frankly, ya gotta start somewhere, right?

Red Zone Problems

We all know the Dallas Cowboys are having issues in the red zone but are we really giving it the attention it deserves?

The Dallas Cowboys red zone inefficiency is a MAJOR issue. Yes, the inconsistent defense with the missed tackles, poor gap discipline, aversion to collect turnovers, etc… are all major bummers. Offensively, the ill-timed dropped balls, poor play-calling, and lack or deception/creativity are also certifiable “bummers”.

But besides the vague issue with turnover differentials, one issue stands out above all others: Red zone inefficiency

The Dallas Cowboys are still the NFL’s No. 1 offense in yardage per game (by a significant margin, I might add). They seemingly move the ball at will, only to be stonewalled right before pay dirt. As it stands today, they only score touchdowns on 56.52 percent of their trips in the red zone. Which places them in the bottom half of the NFL.

How much does that impact winning? I’d say substantially. For a team that struggles defensively, leads the NFL in dropped passes by WRs, and is dead last in FG% and interceptions, the Dallas Cowboys can hardly afford to leave points on the board, yet that’s exactly what they’re doing when they allow drives to stall out when they’re right on the cusp of glory.

Just imagine what a difference it would make if the Cowboys were more efficient in the red zone. They are currently a top-10 offense in red zone visits yet they are in the back half of the league in red zone touchdown percentage.

Trickle-Down Effect

More from Dallas Cowboys

• Dallas Cowboys Linebackers: 2023 Position Overview
• Ballhawk University: Why the Cowboys will be takeaway leaders
• Dallas Cowboys Player to Watch: Sleeper TE John Stephens, Jr.
• Dallas Cowboys: The impact of Micah Parsons and a well-rounded secondary
• Dallas Cowboys still unsure about their left guard position for 2023

The trickle-down effect of this is pretty obvious. By failing to score TDs Dallas has had to lean on their inconsistent kicker who has produced depressingly consistent results from midrange. The Dallas Cowboys exchanged him this week for an unemployed free agent. And while I like the move, I’m not condoning the team leans on their new kicker (or any kicker for that matter), it’s imperative Dallas scores TDs at a better rate.

Scoring more TDs obviously bring with it greater points. But that places less strain on the defense, produces better field position for both sides of the ball, masks the Cowboys run-stopping problems, enhances the defense’s pass-rush win rate (which is extremely high), and allows Dallas to keep a run-pass balance into the second half.

Everything is based on the offense scoring points and if Dallas can get the proper number of points from their No. 1 ranked offense, they would alleviate so many concerns all over the field.

• Published on 12/15/2019 at 12:50 PM
• Last updated at 12/15/2019 at 12:50 PM