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The Cowboys have no shortage of problems in 2024. From their 24th ranked offense to their 30th ranked defense, their troubles on the offensive line to the catastrophe that is their DL. From their lame duck coaching staff to their problematically talkative owner, they have problems on all corners of this hexagon of doom.
The running game in particular has been an issue in Dallas. Not only has the offensive line struggled to execute blocks and lead runners to the second level, but the runners themselves have been unable gain access to the open field in 2024.
While the Cowboys’ passing game is trying it’s damnedest to carry the offense and create big plays, the running game isn’t remotely carrying its weight. In fact, based on the standardized measurement of 15+ yards, the running game has yet to chart a single explosive play in 2024.
The Cowboys are last in the NFL in explosive run rate. That takes a team effort: O-line, RB, play-design. It’s amazing the passing offense has a top-5 explosive play rate considering the circumstances. pic.twitter.com/ByaM1iBsOF
— Reid D Hanson (@ReidDHanson) October 22, 2024
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Even when adjusting for play type, which charts an explosive pass as anything 20 yards or greater and an explosive run as anything 10 yards or greater, things don’t look much better.
Outside of scrambles and runs with CeeDee Lamb, the only Dallas rushers with explosive plays between 10-15 yards this season are Deuce Vaughn and Rico Dowdle. Vaughn hasn’t been active since September so unless someone is added at the trade deadline, the onus falls completely on Dowdle.
Explosive play rates through Week 7 pic.twitter.com/itqi0bS2zE
— Football Insights
(@fball_insights) October 22, 2024
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Based on the names floating around the rumor mill, it’s doubtful anyone available at the trade deadline is going to be the answer. This issue will likely require an internal solution, and it will need to be a total team effort.
The Cowboys have the pieces on the offensive line to be a good run blocking squad. Even with two-thirds being rookies, the talent and pedigree are there to have more success than what’s currently happening in Dallas.
Motion at the snap is something that’s been discussed incessantly this season, but it’s for good reason. Motion at the snap typically works. It changes the angles of blocks, changes run fits for defenders, and spreads defenses horizontally. It won’t work all the time, but it should be no surprise many of the best rushing teams in the NFL use motion at the snap on a regular basis.
Better success downfield in the passing game would also help the running game with explosive plays. If Dak Prescott can draw more defenders into coverage the Cowboys running backs could see lighter boxes and better opportunities for explosives. But the passing offense has been uncharacteristically inefficient, ranking just 23rd in EPA/ drop back.
Without a new receiver on the field, it’s hard to see that changing much on its own.
More spread formations may help achieve the same goal of spreading the defense without the need for downfield success. More WR-rich personnel groups or splitting the tight end group out wide may pull players out of the box. Dowdle is averaging 6.7 defenders in the box and Elliott 6.29. Neither number is particularly high but if certain alignments and formations can bring that number down further, the Cowboys coaching staff owes it them.
The Cowboys have to find a way to solve their explosive play problem on offense and it will likely be a total team effort.