Dallas Cowboys Offense Finding Its Identity Just in Time
With Quarterback Andy Dalton back in the lineup, the Dallas Cowboys' offense found its identity against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Although it wasn't perfect, it was a very solid performance for a team that needed one badly. They scored 31 points on route to their third win of the season. Suddenly, they're back in […]
With Quarterback Andy Dalton back in the lineup, the Dallas Cowboys' offense found its identity against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Although it wasn't perfect, it was a very solid performance for a team that needed one badly. They scored 31 points on route to their third win of the season. Suddenly, they're back in the division race.
There are a handful of reasons why this offense looked as well as it did versus the Vikings' offense and it starts at the quarterback position. Garrett Gilbert did enough against the Pittsburgh Steelers to stir up the pot, but Dalton clearly was the right choice for the Cowboys.
After all, he was brought in due to his extensive experience as a starting quarterback. Dalton had some bad throws on Sunday, but frankly, the good ones outnumbered the bad ones. He's way better than Gilbert and the question was a matter of the team approaching the game with a more aggressive game plan, which they did.
Dalton passed for three touchdowns to three different players as he spread the ball efficiently all game long. It wasn't a sexy game from a stats perspective but that was exactly what we expected from him when he was signed. Some ugly throws mixed with some pretty solid ones and enough skill to keep the season interesting.
The Andy Dalton we saw play against the Arizona Cardinals and the Washington Football Team provided a different story. But that was probably because of a very banged-up offensive line. This Sunday, things were different.
Zack Martin made a start at right tackle as Connor McGovern took his place at right guard and Joe Looney took back the starting duties at center. This was the best offensive line performance in a while for the Cowboys and it showed. Andy Dalton consistently enjoyed clean pockets as he threw the ball better than he had in previous games. In fact, Martin, McGovern and Looney combined allowed zero pressures.
No wonder why Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard ran for 163 yards in 26 carries. The Cowboys' rushing attack has been mediocre for most of the season and although Zeke has received most of the heat, it's not a coincidence he ran so much better behind a healthier offensive line.
Believe it or not, the race is on in the NFC East even though no team in the division has over four wins this year. We're on to Week 12, by the way. The Dallas Cowboys will play the Washington Football Team on Thursday's Thanksgiving Day and a win would put them atop the division at least temporarily (the Eagles play the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football).
Although the team's defense hasn't looked as bad as it did in the first six weeks of the season, the Cowboys will likely need to win games through the offense. Even if Andy Dalton isn't able to lead this team over the 30-point mark consistently, letting his offense pass 20 per week should make the difference as few tough opponents remain in the Cowboys' schedule.
This offense has enough playmakers to keep the Dallas Cowboys in the mix as even a losing record might be enough to take the NFC East.
Featured Image Via Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
