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FRISCO, Texas — Because of the defensive fronts it has been seeing lately, the Dallas Cowboys brought back G schemes, a pulling run concept the offense used more last season. Coach Brian Schottenheimer explained the change Monday at The Star, a day after Dallas ran for 179 yards on 34 carries in a 27-23 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
Javonte Williams carried 20 times for 101 yards and the go-ahead touchdown. Tyler Goodson added a career-high 77 yards on 12 carries, and the 179 yards were Dallas’ second-highest total of the season.
Indianapolis showed personnel groupings and fronts early that Dallas was not expecting, Schottenheimer said. Williams had 43 yards on 10 carries in the first half and 58 yards on 10 carries after halftime.
“I think we settled in. I think sometimes it takes time. There’s always going to be unscouted looks. There’s going to be some things that they showed us early in the game that we weren’t expecting, whether it’s personnel groupings or fronts. So there’s always an adjustment period,” Schottenheimer said.
“But I think anytime you come out of a game rushing for 179 yards or whatever it was, we certainly figured it out,” Schottenheimer continued. “But it goes back to the belief in the guys themselves and the talent that they have and the work ethic and the character to get it done.”
Brian Schottenheimer Credits Klayton Adams For G Schemes
Dallas wanted to spread the field and get the ball to the edge some, Schottenheimer said. The pulls are built off the techniques defenses play against a tight end.
“So there’s slide protections where you’re sliding to a linebacker or a nickel that’s walked. But we tried to spread the field a little bit, and I think we hit some good plays inside. But we did want to get the ball on the edge some,” Schottenheimer explained.
“You’re probably talking about some of the G schemes we call them, where you’re pulling the guard and tackle around, you’re blocking down, and that’s based off of defensive fronts that we’re getting,” Schottenheimer detailed. “So there’s certain techniques that they play to a tight end that you want to take advantage of.”
Offensive coordinator Klayton Adams was the Arizona Cardinals’ offensive line coach in 2023 and 2024 before Dallas hired him in 2025. Before Arizona, he spent four seasons on the Colts’ staff as an assistant offensive line coach and tight ends coach.
“It’s something Klayton did a great job of in Arizona. We actually ran them a bunch, or more last year, but we brought them back because of some of the defensive fronts we’ve been seeing lately,” Schottenheimer said.
Javonte Williams, Tyler Goodson Hit Colts Inside And Outside
The best schemes Sunday were duo and inside zone, Goodson said after the game, with Dallas also hitting some perimeter runs. Indianapolis’ linebackers played downhill early and tried to be more patient late, he said.
Left tackle Tyler Guyton wanted to see the tape from above before judging the run game. Dallas averaged 7.2 yards per play in Indianapolis and finished with 508 total yards.
“Just sticking to the plan. Nobody trying to be a superhero. Everybody doing their job,” Guyton said Sunday. “All 11 on the field working together.”
Goodson is now expected to miss multiple weeks with a knee injury. Williams and the line get the 7-1 San Francisco 49ers next, Sunday at AT&T Stadium, with kickoff at 3:25 p.m. CT on FOX.
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