FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys led the NFL in drives of 10 or more plays last season and had the fewest three-and-outs of any team.
Third-and-six or less is where Dallas was good last season, Brian Schottenheimer said. Third-and-seven and longer is hard for everybody.
“I think it’s always easier to score when you have explosives. We look for explosives. Teams have a way of trying to take them away,” Schottenheimer said. “But what I love about our team, our quarterback, I’ll start there. The actual ability to process information. And if people are playing really, really soft, check the ball down underneath, take what they give us. We’re pretty aggressive when it comes to third and fourth down, certainly in certain parts of the field. I think that’s part of it.”
“But I think it’s a compliment to be able to say you can go 10 plus plays and score touchdowns,” Schottenheimer continued. “It means you’re in condition. It means you’re mentally tough. It means you understand it’s a one play at a time mentality. And I think that’s a good thing. We’re fast and we’re explosive as well, but I think we take pride in the fact that we’re able to do that.”
Dallas finished second in the NFL in total offense at 391.9 yards per game and second in scoring efficiency at 48.0%. The Cowboys averaged 4.59 yards per carry, ninth in the league, and ranked ninth in rushing offense at 125.6 yards per game. It was the first time since 2021 that Dallas finished in the top 10 in both rushing and passing.
Dak Prescott threw for more than 4,000 yards. CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens both cleared 1,000 receiving yards. Javonte Williams ran for 1,201.
The Cowboys still finished 7-9-1 and allowed more points than any defense in the league.
Brian Schottenheimer On Why The Dallas Cowboys Avoid Three-And-Outs
Dallas is aggressive on third and fourth down in certain parts of the field, in Schottenheimer’s description of the offense.
“Yeah, it is a big deal because if you get a three-and-out, you can’t get those 10-plus play drives,” Schottenheimer explained. “I think it comes down to the players. Their ability to execute, Dak’s ability to convert third downs, the people we have protecting Dak, the weapons we have on the outside. We don’t talk enough about what Javonte does without the ball in his hands. The guy’s a terrific runner, scored a ton of touchdowns last year, but this guy as a pass protector is unique.”
“And so the big thing for all of us is we want to live in third down and manageable,” Schottenheimer added. “You’d love to not have a third down. You’d love to avoid third down altogether. But from a third down standpoint, we were really good last year in third and six or less, and like the rest of the league, third and seven plus is tough.”
Williams carried 252 times for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns, all career highs, and caught 21 passes. Jake Ferguson caught 8 touchdown passes. Prescott has run a version of this offense under three play callers, and Schottenheimer is the third.
Klayton Adams is in his second season as offensive coordinator. Schottenheimer calls the plays.
The Dallas Cowboys Line In Front Of Dak Prescott Has Changed
The group protecting Prescott is not the one that finished last season. Schottenheimer said Monday that Tyler Smith has surgery on his left thumb Tuesday and will likely go on injured reserve with a designation to return, a four-to-six-week absence. T.J. Bass steps in at left guard. Tyler Guyton is at left tackle, and Terence Steele and Broderick Jones are competing at right tackle.
Dallas carried eight offensive linemen out of camp. Schottenheimer said the staff will sort that group out during the week.
The defense on the other side belongs to Dennard Wilson, who worked with Schottenheimer in St. Louis more than a decade ago. Schottenheimer said the New York Giants play a lot of shell coverage, disguise well, and are multiple. Brian Burns, DJ Reader, and Shelby Harris are on the line. Tremaine Edmunds plays the Mike, fifth overall pick Arvell Reese lines up next to him, and Abdul Carter is in his second season.
Dallas practiced Monday and is off Tuesday. Dallas finished 7-9-1 last season. That made two straight years out of the playoffs. Kickoff is 7:20 p.m. CT Sunday on NBC at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
