The Dallas Cowboys may be on a bye this week, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t busy. With six games behind them, the team is taking a moment to reflect and address key areas of concern that could determine their success over the final 11 games of the season.
Despite sitting at a solid 4-2 record, the Cowboys have shown signs of inconsistency. With the second half of the year fast approaching, the time is now to make adjustments. Here are three critical areas Dallas must focus on during the bye week to ensure they stay in the playoff hunt.
1. Red Zone Efficiency
One of the Cowboys’ most glaring issues so far has been their red zone efficiency. Although their offense can move the ball down the field effectively, they have often stalled once they reach inside the 20-yard line.
Dallas ranks in the bottom half of the league in red zone touchdown percentage, which is concerning for a team with playoff aspirations. This inefficiency has led to too many field goals instead of touchdowns, putting more pressure on the defense to make up for missed opportunities.
During the bye week, head coach Mike McCarth and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer will need to find ways to optimize play calling and execution in critical scoring situations.
2. Defensive Pass Rush
Dallas’ defense has been one of the top units in the league, but they’ve been missing a key element: consistent pressure on the quarterback.
Despite having stars like Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, the Cowboys’ pass rush has been sporadic at times, allowing opposing quarterbacks to get comfortable in the pocket. This has resulted in higher passing yards and an increased number of big plays.
The bye week provides an opportunity to refine their pass rush techniques and find ways to create more disruption in the backfield. A more aggressive and relentless pass rush could help Dallas’ secondary and overall defensive performance.
3. Consistency in the Run Game
The Cowboys’ rushing attack has not been as dominant as expected. While Tony Pollard is a capable back, the running game as a whole has struggled to maintain balance and control in key moments.
Whether it’s due to inconsistent offensive line play or lack of execution from the backs, the Cowboys’ run game must be a more reliable source of offense moving forward.
Establishing the run is key to setting up play-action passes and keeping opposing defenses off balance. This is an area that needs immediate improvement if the Cowboys are to become more well-rounded and difficult to defend against.
Conclusion
With a bye week to regroup and fine-tune their approach, the Cowboys have a chance to address these critical areas. By improving red zone efficiency, enhancing their pass rush, and finding more consistency in the run game, Dallas could be well on their way to a successful second half of the season.
The adjustments made now will set the tone for the remainder of the campaign and could ultimately determine whether this team makes a deep playoff run.