The title “All Stats Team” applies to the Dallas Cowboys once again this year. The Cowboys boast the NFL’s sixth-best passing attack and rank fourth in the league in pass plays longer than 20 yards. However, Dallas is only 2-2 where it counts, third in the NFC East. A big reason for that is the Cowboys’ lack of touchdowns in the red zone, turnovers and defense following turnovers. All three of those critical, but often overlooked aspects will be huge factors in Sunday’s contest against the New England Patriots.
In 15 red zone trips this season, the Cowboys have only scored five touchdowns. That’s led to some big games for Dallas kicker Dan Bailey, but field goals are only worth three points. It can’t all be blamed on poor play from the Cowboys’ players; head coach Jason Garrett’s play-calling in the red zone has been subpar at best.
Instead of lining up in a goal line formation with three tight ends and a fullback leading one of his quality running backs, Garrett has tried to get cute when near the end zone. Jump balls to Martellus Bennett and quick outs to Kevin Ogletree are not ideal when trying to score in the red zone. Even Cowboys owner Jerry Jones criticized Garrett’s poor play-calling following a 34-30 loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 4.
Against New England, Garrett will have to be smarter. He’s been very good since taking over the team halfway through the 2010 season, but the former Cowboys quarterback can’t get trigger-happy in crucial situations. Unlike current quarterback Tony Romo, who always says he will learn from his mistakes, Garrett (a Princeton graduate) will actually do so against one of the most disciplined teams in the NFL.
That’s not to say that Garrett shouldn’t completely throw away his bag of tricks once the Cowboys cross the 20-yard line. However, holding back on those unique plays for a while makes them much more effective once they are used. Dallas should go old-fashioned on its first couple of trips to the red zone each week, ramming the ball down the defense’s throat with running backs Tashard Choice and DeMarco Murray.
Coming up short in the red zone spells disaster against a high-scoring team like the Patriots. The Cowboys have to convert at least two out of every three opportunities from close rang, and that doesn’t mean field goals. Great teams score touchdowns in the red zone. The Cowboys have a long way to go to become a great team. This team is talented enough to do just that, but execution in the red zone is key to taking that step.
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