Scheme expert reveals the Dallas Cowboys’ secret sauce that should translate to wins in 2026
The Dallas Cowboys offense doesn’t come from the most famous coaching tree in today’s NFL. But it was still very successful, and it should be so once again in 2026.
Who would have thought that in today’s NFL, you can have a top-tier offense without a coach coming from the Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan coaching trees? That’s what the Dallas Cowboys had in Brian Schottenheimer’s first year as head coach.
And one of the secrets? The run game spearheaded by offensive coordinator Klayton Adams, who is considered a rising candidate for future head coaching cycles. But what did Adams do so well?
We know (because the Cowboys have said so) that Adams spearheaded the overhaul of the team’s run game. In 2025, the Cowboys ranked Top 6 in EPA per rush attempt, and rushing success rate, per Sports Info Solutions.
Scheme expert Bobby Peters, who recently wrote a explaining the 2025 Cowboys offense to a tee, explained to A to Z Sports what was so good their run scheme.
Scheme expert breaks down Cowboys run game
Though Dak Prescott isn’t the same runner that Lamar Jackson is, Peters looks at the 2023 Baltimore Ravens as the closest comparison to the Cowboys’ run game.
“I believe that was Todd Monken’s first year there with Lamar,” Peters said during an interview available in our YouTube channel. “Both teams featured heavily inside zone and counter schemes as their core runs.”
Peters pointed out the Cowboys also ran RPOs (read-pass options) from inside zone, and that they ran a ton of split zone concepts (inside zone runs in which a blocker “splits” across the formation to block the backside edge defender).
But the secret sauce? Their ability to generate explosive plays.
Cowboys’ auxiliary runs were key
Though the Cowboys ranked 27th in explosive play rate per Sports Info Solutions, they consistently generated 10+ yard gains. Javonte Williams ranked 12th in the NFL with 26 of them.
“What you’re talking about is the diversity of schemes,” Peters said about the Cowboys run game. “Their ability to generate explosives with the different auxiliary runs was something that stood out too.”
The Cowboys offense earned praise across the NFL world all year long because of how well it married the pass and run game together to make everything look the same. Peters touched on one example that was highly successful on that front.
“I published an article breaking down their short trap concept,” Peters said. “That’s a concept where maybe you get four receivers out, or three receivers and a tight end flexed out, and you’re trying to make the defense think you’re passing the ball. Then defenders get upfield, a guard kicks out a defensive tackle, and now the running back is just running right up the middle after trying to trap that player.”
Cowboys run game should translate to wins
In Peters’ eyes, the Cowboys run game was right on the money to complement what Dak Prescott and company were doing in the pass game.
“But I think that assessment [on Dallas having a versatile run game] is fair. Especially when you have an offense like the Cowboys, where you’ve got Dak Prescott, an elite processor back there, obviously a good enough arm to make all the throws he needs to, and then skill on the outside — you need a run game that can take advantage when the time comes.”
“Whether you’re ahead late in games or in short-yardage situations, the Cowboys had the scheme to fit that last year.”
That last part is massive and a big reason why the Cowboys should have a winning record in 2026. As long as the defense is not terrible like it was in 2025, Prescott will have a run game to help him close things out as long as he has a lead going into the endgame.
Peters is a brilliant football mind and I absolutely recommend you check out the full conversation about the Cowboys “old school” offense.