Cowboys: Grading offense, defense, and special teams ahead of Week 10
The Dallas Cowboys are 5-3 at the midseason mark following a close, hard-fought loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 9. As a result, we're reviewing their season so far. You can find more articles in this series at the bottom of the post. In this one, we grade each unit of the team nine […]
The Dallas Cowboys are 5-3 at the midseason mark following a close, hard-fought loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 9. As a result, we're reviewing their season so far. You can find more articles in this series at the bottom of the post. In this one, we grade each unit of the team nine weeks into the season.
Cowboys offense
Grade: B-
DVOA: 9th
EPA/play: 6th
Statistically, this offense is doing such a good job that it ranks near the top of the NFL in several categories. And it's certainly getting better the more Mike McCarthy lets Dak Prescott cook and the more he feeds CeeDee Lamb, who's logged back-to-back 150+ yard games.
Since Week 6, Prescott ranks 1st in EPA/play. He's been on fire and even picked apart the Eagles for a 377-yard, three-touchdown performance.
But there are issues, hence the lower grade on my end. Its biggest problem by far is early downs, where the Cowboys' offense ranks 16th in EPA/play and 21st when looking at rush EPA. It's nice that the Cowboys rank third in the league in third-down conversion rate but it needs to be better in first and second down to be sustainable.
The offensive line is also somewhat of a concern, ranking 18th in the league per Ben Baldwin's pass protection composite, which considers data from PFF, ESPN, and Sports Info Solutions. Despite the unit ranking seventh in run blocking, the Cowboys have not gotten anything going with their running game.
As long as the Cowboys stay aggressive in the passing game like they have been over the past two weeks while featuring Lamb in a true WR1 role, the offense should be fine. But there's some concern that McCarthy's early conservative approach will come back to become the norm again.
Cowboys defense
Grade: A-
DVOA: 4th
EPA/play: 4th
The defense is a tough evaluation. Let's start with Micah Parsons, who remains the favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year for a reason. He's second in the league in total pressures (49) and the highest pass rush win rate per ESPN. This despite boasting the second-highest double team rate in the NFL.
This is still a unit that can rush the passer efficiently and DaRon Bland and Stephon Gilmore have held the fort down since Trevon Diggs' injury. There's been a downgrade, for sure, but it hasn't been anywhere close to chaotic. Bland even has two pick-sixes.
However, there's been some slippage. Since Week 6, the Cowboys rank 20th in EPA/play allowed. Can they get it fixed quickly?
They still get an elite grade from me because this is still a unit that can end ballgames and suffocate opponents.
Cowboys special teams
Grade: A+
DVOA: 3rd
Brandon Aubrey is automatic. He's 19-of-19 in field goals to start his career, an NFL record. And he's shown accuracy and power alike. Even in big moments, Aubrey hasn't crumbled to the yips.
But John Fassel's special units shine beyond just kicking. The Cowboys rank third in DVOA and that's in large part thanks to moments like Sam Williams' blocked punt in Week 8 and Juanyeh Thomas' blocked FG in Week 1.
More on the midseason mark for the Cowboys:
- The 3 Cowboys midseason MVPs (including an unlikely hero)
- The biggest surprise at the midseason mark
- The biggest disappointment amid 5-3 start
- The Cowboys' best and worst free agent signing so far
- Cowboys Playoff Picture: Can they steal the NFC East?
- Rookie report: Grades for every player at midseason
- Cowboys' biggest need at the midseason mark
Cowboys’ very own history suggests Martavis Bryant can make an impact
We’ve been here before.
