The Cowboys enter the bye week at 3-3 and looking to improve in several areas. Some offseason moves, including upgrading the running back position and adding defensive depth, have hurt the team at this point in the season. Here are five areas the team can improve to make a bid for the NFC East title.
Improve your running game
The Cowboys’ offseason moves, including not giving up a running back, signing Ezekiel Elliott in free agency and starting two rookies on the offensive line, have hampered the running game. The Cowboys will start Rico Dowdle as the backup along with Elliott. One thing the Cowboys could do is keep Dalvin Cook off the practice squad and either keep Elliott inactive on game days or release him. Dowdle’s ability to turn the shots when needed could see him stay in the matchday squad.
Another issue that needs to be addressed is the offensive line. The Cowboys need a top-five player on the field, and if that means replacing rookie left tackle Tyler Guyton with left tackle Tyler Smith, then so be it. But the Cowboys believe in Guyton’s potential. If he has a strong week of practice before the 49ers game and his knee freezes up, he will remain in the starting lineup. But something has to be found for a rushing attack that averages a league-worst 3.5 yards per game. The Cowboys have to get into the game, too. Because they lost so much at home, they had to go through it more often than they would have liked.The team ranked sixth in the NFL in fewest rushing attempts. The Cowboys had 14 attempts last season. Being behind in a game hinders your ability to find a good attacking rhythm. It’s one thing to be in a high-scoring game where the passing game is the best way to win, and it’s quite another when the running game is simply lackluster.
Bring back injured players
Injuries are part of the NFL. always. The return of DaRon Bland, wide receiver Micah Parsons and linebacker Eric Kendricks should help. Bland led the NFL in interceptions last season and was noticeably absent from the first six games. Parsons has missed the last two games with an ankle injury. His return to the 49ers will give a boost to a defense that desperately needs QB pressure. As a middle linebacker, Kendricks is an important part of the defense. Lost to the Lions when Damon Clarke took over. The absence of three key players also highlighted the lack of depth. Number two wide receiver Brandin Cooks will bring another element to the offense at some point. Jalen Tolbert moved up to second, but the team will want Cooks’ speed.
Make a deal
It is not always easy, but it is possible. Two wide receivers (Amari Cooper and Davante Adams) were traded on Tuesday. The Cowboys weren’t interested. However, a trade for Jets pass rusher Haason Reddick is something to consider. The question is whether he wants a long-term contract. The Cowboys don’t want to give Reddick a long-term deal, but it could be tempting to let him sit out the season in order to reach unrestricted free agency. You should also explore offers to run again. Jaguars starting tight end Travis Etienne is dealing with a hamstring injury but should look dynamic when healthy. This season, he has just 239 rushing yards on 56 carries. The Jags picked up a fifth-year option that will pay him $6.143 million through 2025. Is trading Etienne worth a 4th or 5th round pick?
Prescott-Lamb will find his way
The termination of Lamb’s contract damaged his chemistry with Dak Prescott. His poor second half numbers are negligible and making big plays is lacking for the two. Lamb hasn’t scored in the past two weeks and has just two receptions this season. The bye week gives Lamb and Prescott a chance to work, allowing them to flourish when they get back together on game day. After catching four passes for 49 yards in a Week 5 game last season, Lamb spoke to the coaches. Take a guess. Over the next 12 games, Lamb caught 108 passes for 1,391 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Stop running
Ask anyone involved with the Cowboys and they’ll tell you that stopping the run comes down to physics. Defensive tackles Mazi Smith and Osa Odighizuwa need to step up, and the linebackers need to play solid defense when the offense starts. The Cowboys took steps to improve this area late in training camp, but they weren’t effective. With no help in the zone other than the return of Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence late in the season, the Cowboys need to step up now.
