Cowboys: Key development during latest win raises Super Bowl hopes
The Dallas Cowboys are clicking on all cylinders entering Week 15. They're 10-3 for the season and lead the second most efficient offense in the NFL per EPA, powered by a run from Dak Prescott that has him labeled as the MVP frontrunner. On defense, they rank third and Dan Quinn's unit can still take the […]
The Dallas Cowboys are clicking on all cylinders entering Week 15.
They're 10-3 for the season and lead the second most efficient offense in the NFL per EPA, powered by a run from Dak Prescott that has him labeled as the MVP frontrunner. On defense, they rank third and Dan Quinn's unit can still take the ball away, as evidenced by three takeaways against the Philadelphia Eagles.
But during that game, which the Cowboys won by 20, the most impressive development of all happened in the trenches. And it was promising enough that it has us thinking about a Super Bowl.
Cowboys' pass protection has answers
One of the biggest questions entering the game was if the Cowboys offense would allow the Eagles' loaded defensive line to break the game like they did back in Week 9. Although in their November matchup the passing offense was on fire, the Cowboys paid the price for mediocre protection.
They gave up 25 pressures and five sacks. Fast forward to Week 14 and the Cowboys drastically improved, allowing 15 pressures and just three sacks, at least one of which was on Prescott.
But the best part about it was that the biggest improvement happened through scheme. Sure, the players balled out but the Cowboys coaching staff nailed their decision to help out Terence Steele and friends.
Steele was the guy the Eagles made sure to attack back in Week 9, when he gave up 12 pressures and four sacks against several Philly edge rushers. Now, the Cowboys employed a lot of techniques to help their right tackle out while also remaining unpredictable.
On CeeDee Lamb's opening touchdown of the night, the Cowboys left Tony Pollard in pass pro to help Steele against Haason Reddick. This allowed for Steele to focus on a potential inside move while the running back helped out on the outside. This gave enough time for Prescott to work the scramble drill and find No. 88.
On another big play from Lamb, this one on third-and-nine, the Cowboys lined up in empty formation with RB Rico Dowdle and WR Jalen Tolbert chipping at the edge rushers before working out on checkdown routes. This allowed Prescott to wait for a double move route from Lamb to develop and move the chains to keep the drive alive.
That's just two of many more such examples. One of the highlights had to be new fan favorite Jake Ferguson getting dirty as a pass blocker. Just like he did against the Seattle Seahawks the week before, Fergie had his violent moment sending Eagles DE Josh Sweat to the ground on third-and-six.
The play resulted in a huge gain as Brandin Cooks caught Prescott's pass and had a facemask added on top of it.
The very next play, Ferguson takes a similar alignment and Reddick drops back in coverage instead of rushing the passer. That was Cooks' huge 30-yard catch that set up the Cowboys at the one. They scored two plays later to go to halftime 24-6.
Why Cowboys' adjustments show Super Bowl potential
You and I both know about the boogeyman at the end of the road when it comes time for the playoffs. Whether or not the Cowboys end up with the division title, the path to the Super Bowl likely goes through San Francisco and the 49ers.
And there's no denying they've owned the Cowboys recently.
So if we're sitting here thinking about a Lombardi Trophy, there's one thing I've come to accept: It'll need to be a game that the offense wins. It'll take Dak Prescott and the offense going tit for tat with Brock Purdy and the Niners' well-oiled machine.
In order to do that, it will be all about the pass protection up front. In Week 5, the Cowboys offense couldn't have been more different. It was a quick-game attack that didn't push the ball downfield, didn't use motion, and used static balanced formations down after down.
Now, it's different. Prescott's MVP run has been sparked by Mike McCarthy's drastic mindset shift which happened in the bye week. If the Cowboys face San Francisco and give their quarterback time, they can attack the secondary, which is far from the 49ers' strength.
Chase Young and Nick Bosa are game wreckers. But if the Cowboys go out there and are able to slow them down with clean blocking and schematic help to the tackles, they might make the fourth time the charm. And if they bring down the Niners, they will be the favorites in the Super Bowl. Just saying.
Cowboys hit with bucket of cold water after huge win over Eagles
Things aren’t getting any easier anytime soon.
