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The Film Don't Lie: Cowboys
September, 30, 2014
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
IRVING, Texas -- A weekly look at what the Dallas Cowboys must fix:
The Cowboys have been excellent on third down through the first four games of the season, so it isn't necessarily a problem they must fix. But it's an area in which they need to be particularly sharp when they face the Houston Texans on Sunday.
The Texans’ opponents have the worst third-down conversion percentage this season (28.6). The Cowboys are tied for second in third-down success rate, converting 55.1 percent of the time (27-of-49).
The Cowboys' third-down production was awful last year -- they converted just 35 percent of the time and could not consistently help their defense by staying on the field longer. This year they are staying on the field more and keeping their defense rested. The Cowboys have held the ball for at least 31 minutes, 24 seconds in three of the first four games.
The biggest reason the Cowboys have been good on third down has been their work on first down. They have averaged 6 yards per rush on first down and 8.3 yards per pass on first down. Having the entire playbook open on second and third down has made life easier for playcaller Scott Linehan.
With a pass-rusher like J.J. Watt, the Cowboys have to stay ahead of the chains and continue to win on first down.
September, 30, 2014
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
IRVING, Texas -- A weekly look at what the Dallas Cowboys must fix:
The Cowboys have been excellent on third down through the first four games of the season, so it isn't necessarily a problem they must fix. But it's an area in which they need to be particularly sharp when they face the Houston Texans on Sunday.
The Texans’ opponents have the worst third-down conversion percentage this season (28.6). The Cowboys are tied for second in third-down success rate, converting 55.1 percent of the time (27-of-49).
The Cowboys' third-down production was awful last year -- they converted just 35 percent of the time and could not consistently help their defense by staying on the field longer. This year they are staying on the field more and keeping their defense rested. The Cowboys have held the ball for at least 31 minutes, 24 seconds in three of the first four games.
The biggest reason the Cowboys have been good on third down has been their work on first down. They have averaged 6 yards per rush on first down and 8.3 yards per pass on first down. Having the entire playbook open on second and third down has made life easier for playcaller Scott Linehan.
With a pass-rusher like J.J. Watt, the Cowboys have to stay ahead of the chains and continue to win on first down.
