The Dallas Cowboys have the red zone woes again. However, there’s absolutely no reason why the Cowboys shouldn’t score a vast majority of the times the team gets near the goal line. Dallas head coach Jason Garrett has gotten awfully cautious with his offensive play-calling in the red zone and it’s cost the Cowboys this season, especially in Sunday’s 20-16 loss to the New England Patriots. Garrett needs to call Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant’s numbers once Dallas gets near the end zone. The latest No. 88 can make the Cowboys a great team.
Every team wants a Calvin Johnson. The Detroit Lions know exactly what they’re going to do when they get near the end zone; Matthew Stafford is going to throw a jump ball to Johnson for a touchdown. The Cowboys have that same weapon in Bryant! However, they won’t turn him loose.
The Lions rank fourth in the NFL in points per game this season and their excellent red zone play is a big reason for that and their 5-1 record. The Cowboys rank 15th with a 2-3 record. Bryant could change that all by himself.
When Detroit gets in the red zone, Stafford goes to the line and looks for two things. If Johnson is singled up, it’s an automatic jump ball to him. If Johnson is double covered, Stafford switches to a run because there are fewer defenders in the box. The defense always knows it’s coming, but they never can stop it.
If Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo would just throw a jump ball to the freakishly athletic Bryant near the end zone, he’d haul in nine out of 10. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Dallas legendary receiver Drew Pearson ripped Bryant earlier this week, saying he runs routes poorly. When you have Bryant’s athleticism and nose for the ball, that doesn’t matter in the red zone.
The Cowboys are great at driving the ball down the field and then kicking field goals, but that doesn’t win big games. The loss to the Patriots is a perfect example. When Dallas gets near the goal line, Garrett should call for a double tight end, I-formation, single-receiver set with Bryant alone at the numbers. There should be two plays called, a fade to Bryant or a check down to an Iso run. The result is either a touchdown pass to Bryant or a good opportunity for a rushing score.
It’s so simple, but it never happens. Instead, Garrett tries to get fancy close to the goal line and it has cost Dallas three wins this season. Bryant is an absolute beast these situations and should be utilized as one. The Lions are 5-1 by throwing the ball up to Johnson in double and even triple coverage for half their scores. One of the most storied teams in NFL history should take a page from one of the most barren team’s playbook. It might be the difference in winning a division title or missing the postseason.
Contact Jeric Griffin at or on Twitter @Cowboys_Central
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