Dallas Cowboys

Five things the Dallas Cowboys need to do better in Week Two

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Dallas Cowboys are looking to solidify their offensive identity. Here are some things they will look to improve in their Week Two contest against the Washington Redskins.

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett at the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Cowboys are coming off of a heartbreaking loss to the New York Giants. This defeat was only magnified by the “what if’s” that plagued the team in the fourth quarter. What if the Cowboys took more chances in the red zone? What if the Cowboys focused primarily on getting the running game going?

Finally, what if wide receiver Terrance Williams ran out of bounds? Ah, the possibilities. Now the team will refocus on their Week Two divisional battle with arch-nemesis, the Washington Redskins. In this article we will discuss the five things the Cowboys must be more efficient at during this Week Two showdown.

#5. Pressuring the quarterback

Generating pressure is expected to be an issue for several weeks. The Cowboys are missing defensive ends DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory due to suspension. The defensive line to their credit actually got some pressure on Eli Manning at points during this game however they failed to do it consistently and this will continue to be an issue.

In three games the Cowboys will have a player who should be a breakout pass rusher this season in Lawrence however until then they will need to put together some solid blitz packages to keep opposing quarterbacks unbalanced.

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Cole Beasley (11) bobbles an incomplete pass against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

#4. Catching the ball

Look this one is simple, the Cowboys blew way too many chances in the red zone during their first home game of the season. Cole Beasley dropped a sure touchdown from 10 yards out. Sure it was not a perfect pass but a wide receiver should make that catch.

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Beasley definitely made up for it as the game went on but it was a sign of things to come in terms of offensive struggles. Dez Bryant failing to reel in a jump ball in the end zone is nothing new (and for the most part it is not his fault). For a while the referees have made some terrible calls against 88 and a lot of them without explanation (besides the ridiculous and often malleable catch rule).

Dez’s end zone juggle was not one of them, it was a clear cut incompletion. That is why it is so alarming, Dez needs to catch those balls. Bryant was ridiculously underutilized which also begs the question, why so conservative? The Cowboys best receiver was targeted a fraction of the time which led to Dez’s bigger drops or miscues being magnified.

Jason Witten even had a brutal drop however that Texas sun had a lot to do with it. The main thing here is that this Cowboys wide receiving corps needs to catch everything in the coming weeks if they want to avoid starting 0-2.

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Alfred Morris (46) runs the ball against the New York Giants in the third quarter at AT&T Stadium. New York won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

#3. Run the football

The Cowboys really could not find any room on the ground against the Giants.

Dallas’s star rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott had 20 carries but only gained 51 yards however he did score his first NFL touchdown (congrats Zeke). Alfred Morris looked like he had an easier time maneuvering his way through the pile but that is to be expected from a veteran running back.

The one surprising thing we did not see is Darius Jackson mix in with the offense. Jackson could have been a solid change of pace from what the Giants had been properly prepared for.

We did see fullback Keith Smith convert  a short yardage third down so that was promising for his role on this offense.

With so much talent at the position there are a ton of ways to utilize their talent so it just seemed like there could have been more success on that side of the ball.

You have to give credit to the Giants defense for plugging up the middle of the line as well as their safeties paying extra attention to the running attack when Elliott was in the game but 30 carries for five backs is not going to cut it.

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) rolls out to throw a pass in the third quarter against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. New York won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

#2. Allow Dak to be a playmaker

Dallas Cowboys fourth round pick Dak Prescott seemed to have more success when he had the freedom to take some chances when necessary.

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It really seemed as if the Cowboys were giving him conservative targets and play calls throughout most of the game.

How some type of quarterback run play was not called on second/third and goal is beyond me. Dak is a great athlete with a big durable build so he should utilize that, especially when so close to the goal line.

Of course we do not want Dak injured however the Cowboys need to let Prescott be himself especially when it comes to his football instincts. The main issue is shying away from targeting the biggest star on the field in Dez Bryant.

Prescott will have to work with Bryant in order to get their timing down properly if the Cowboys want to have a legitimate playmaker while Tony Romo remains sidelined.

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) misses a possible touchdown catch as New York Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins (20) defends at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

#1. Take more risks

Settling for field goals is not going to win games especially in such a contentious division.

The Cowboys either have to accept the cards they have been dealt in terms of Romo’s injury and Dak’s rise or continue to bide their time and lose games by a single touchdown or less.

Dak’s gifts at the quarterback position have given the team as well as the organization and the fan base hope regardless of the state of their key superstars and that is rare.

If a game is in reach and your on the 10 yard line, go for it.

Do whatever you have to do to get the points and get into the end zone.

There just really is not an excuse to not have offensive success with the level of talent this team possesses.

It is likely the Cowboys coaches tailor their play calling to Dak’s strength now that they have seen him in action during the regular season.

Hopefully this game will prove to be just a hiccup in what should be a very exciting and interesting season in Dallas.

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