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Decoding McCarthy - Non-Explosiveness
The Cowboys were not close to where they need to be offensively vs the Saints.
Bob Sturm
Sep 17, 2024
Our objectives today:
Looking at the offense in a game like this is important. I know the easy narrative is that there is no hope in winning a game when your defense is that bad – and that is essentially true.
But, the offense is allowed to fight back, mount a rally, and attempt to turn the game around because when you fall behind early, you have an enormous amount of time to flip the game back to your favor. The Cowboys did not. They really never threatened the game, although I definitely thought there were two moments early in the 4th Quarter where the game was asking to be tightened up.
The Saints made it 41-19 late in the 3rd Quarter and then consecutive drives were promising but Dallas failed on a 4th down from the Saints 16 with 13:41 to play and a chance to cut it to 41-27 and then was given the ball on the Donovan Wilson interception immediately after with 12:04 to play. This is the NFL and we have seen teams down 14 with 12 minutes to play put pressure on the opponent.
But, the Dallas offense never did. And that flat way they finished the game – with three points in the 2nd half – is not on the defense at all. That is a failure of this offense.
Yet, it wasn’t the only failure on Sunday.
Here is the drive chart from this poor performance and I would draw your attention to the results. FG, FG, TD, INT, FG, FG. Those were the results on the far right-hand column for the first six offensive drives.
If you take the ball six times and score five of them, you should be in almost any game. If you take the ball five times in the first half of any home game and score on four of them, you should be well within the game for the 2nd half. But, it doesn’t take a genius to see that the constant “settling for field goals” bit the Cowboys hard in this one, too. When your opponent scores six times and has 42 points while you score five times and only have 19, we see incredible inefficiency for both sides of the ball.
And that is where we see the red failing grades below. You will not win in this league with 19 points, multiple turnovers, and especially 0-3 in the red zone.
It is a team game. And what that means, of course, is you must at times pick up your defense and other times, you hope they can pick you up.
On Sunday, the main story is that the defense was awful, but I would remind the offense that they are allowed to do something about it and to fight for all 60 minutes every week. It appears the offense felt they could best console their defense by joining them down on a level of mediocrity.
So, let’s dig down a bit and see why the offense is not a smooth operation at the moment.
THE UNDERPERFORMING RUN GAME WOES
The most obvious issue is this running game. We knew that it would be a work in progress, but we also know that this is a point of emphasis year after year. They invest all of their time and effort into a dominant offensive line and they want to be able to run the ball when and where they do. If they can, everything else becomes so much easier.
But, once again, they are in full struggle mode.
In 2023, they ranked 14th in yards per game (112.9) and 20th in yards per rush (4.10).
That caused them to move on from Tony Pollard, Tyron Smith, and Tyler Biadasz because we think we can do as good or better at a much lesser price.
Through two games in 2024 (it is so early!) they have regressed badly. They are now 25th in yards per game on the ground (85.0) and 26th in yards per rush (3.70).
They have somehow lost 28 yards per game and 0.4 yards per rush?
Let’s make a reel of all of the 1st half runs that resulted in the halftime stat line of 16 attempts for 47 yards (2.9 per).
It is a pretty rough scene right now. It seems that Steele and Martin are in good shape on a lot of these runs, but – shocker – my rookie side is very much a work in progress. There is some good and some bad, but overall, just not a lot of places to run for this offense and they need to figure things out in a hurry. They can’t keep putting it all on Dak and CeeDee to try to do it all, because that leads to issues that are clear.
If you slice up the run game by personnel grouping, there isn’ tmuch good to report anywhere, but the 21 grouping with Luepke and a TE seem to have at least a small sample of promise. 11 personnel run plays feel like a waste of time right now as they are barely successful on one of every three.
My initial observations are that Rico Dowdle seems to have the best feel for these runs, but also, Dallas may need to rely more on some wider runs and maybe even continue to feed the jet sweep option as much as possible.
In other words, it sure looks like they have rookies starting on this line.
PROBLEMS IN THE RED ZONE
Meanwhile, they were 0-3 in the red zone and that is the best way to lose games like this. Get down the field and leaving with three points will not cut it at this point.
We know this QB and offense is a very good red zone team in that they have been no worse than above average and as good as No. 1 in the NFL for an entire season just two years ago. They stepped back in 2023 to 14th and this is one of many places where we wonder if the Cowboys are short a couple play-makers. You can particularly see that when Jake Ferguson misses a game. Luke Schoonmaker filled in and looked fine (below), but the point is that this offense once had some matchups beyond CeeDee Lamb along the lines of:
Which leads us to the overall issue right now.
There is just not enough juice in this offense. You can see them trying to find more of it as they go heavy on Turpin and Deuce Vaughn and even 16 snaps in 10 personnel. I cannot recall that many snaps in 10 personnel in a very long time.
The issue is that those 16 snaps produced only 87 yards. When you add that to 37 snaps in 11 personnel for 160, you find that Dallas needed way too many snaps to build drives and that there are hardly any chunk plays at all (beyond the CeeDee TD, what was there?)
This offense was built on chunk plays and we have seen them in the top 5 under Mike McCarthy more than not. They feed off big plays and they have about 220 in the last 3 seasons of 20+ yards. But, they just aren’t getting many right now which tells you they are way too easy to defend.
And that tells you they seem to have an offensive group that has CeeDee Lamb and a bunch of guys right now.
So, let’s look at two guys that both had moments on Sunday that they need to implement more.
CHECKING IN WITH SCHOONMAKER AND TOLBERT
Many of you have asked to here more about the progress of Luke Schoonmaker and Jalen Tolbert. The Cowboys heavily invested in both of them. You must hit on your top 100 picks in the NFL Draft and turn them into – at the very least – valuable contributors, if not starters.
These are the guys who make or break your roster. You should nail your 1st rounders because most of us can identify them. But, the best franchises show Day 2 – rounds 2 and 3 - are where they can separate themselves. Dallas has had some mixed results to say the least. But, if this is the year Tolbert and Schoonmaker can step forward, perhaps the offense can be saved.
First, here is Schoonmaker playing for Ferguson:
Thanks to Kevin Utz for editing this and it shows a very useful ability that is not that different from what we see from Ferguson. He wasn’t as good in the blocking game, but we know that is capable of that. I think there is reason to believe that he can do the job.
The one who has really lost the public trust is Jalen Tolbert. But, I was thrilled with his training camp progress and he turned it into a Week 2 where he had a career high in targets, catches, and yardage. This performance was the best of his career and I feel like we can see there is a lot of talent here and guys like Tolbert and Ryan Flournoy (perhaps in a bit) are the receivers who I think can help with those chunk plays this offense needs.
I continue to think that Tolbert needs to be a part of every game plan. His hustle to get on the fumble at the end of this clip might be enough to tell us his interest in being a factor this season.
Ok, let’s look at some clips and call it a week for the offense.
FILM STUDY
Seven plays to consider.2Q - 14:29 - 1-10-NO 29 - D.Prescott pass incomplete deep right to C.Lamb.
Ok, this is empty in 11 personnel and a real chance here. It is 1st and 10 so the slate is wrong on the clip. Cowboys are in a 3x2 and Lamb is wide right. The Saints are playing a Quarters coverage, so you can see the design to get Cooks to draw and occupy the safety on the right and that leaves Lamb vs 29-Paulson Adebo on a vertical.
The tv called it a QB miss and that is definitely what it looks like here. Dak said it was a miscommunication in the press conference and that leads me to this graphic below:
If it is a go route, we certainly would say that Lamb’s path is odd. We would also say that Dak’s throw lands down the numbers. So, I am thinking he was wondering why Lamb ran a very odd route (Adebo helped force him off his line) and Prescott was trying to look off the coverage and then drop the ball on the path he is expecting.
Again, I am not sure on this one. It is probably going on the QB ledger as a bad miss, but the way each player handled this says to me that this is where the QB is counting on a player to be 5 yards more to the right and made the throw accordingly. But, I also realize in this charged climate of Cowboys football, someone will assume I am making excuses for Dak. I’m not, but I just think that is not a route I am familiar with that Lamb ran.
Right before I published, Clarence Hill confirmed that I am not nuts.
Thank you, Clarence!
2Q - 12:23 - 3-10-NO 15 - D.Prescott sacked at NO 20 for -5 yards (C.Granderson).
Here is one of those failed red zone options. Not a lot of great options here early, so he has to wait. I think Turpin is open if Dak has time, but just as he spots him, Terence Steele loses to Carl Granderson. Granderson was very impressive on Sunday and Steele has to not over-set against that spin. A four-point play as they settle for a FG.
2Q - 7:54 - 1-10-DAL 35 - D.Prescott pass short right to C.Lamb for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12 personnel and a play-action fake. The Saints are in 2-man with Tyrann Mathieu lurking over CeeDee like he would all day. But, this pass is fantastic and then Lamb ducks the defenders and is off to the races. The level of casual elite here is off the charts as Lamb makes this look so easy. Just fantastic stuff.
2Q - 1:20 - 1-10-DAL 49 - D.Prescott pass deep right intended for J.Brooks INTERCEPTED by P.Adebo at NO 33. P.Adebo to DAL 20 for 47 yards
This one was the killer. It is 28-13 here and you have a chance to score and then get the kick to start the 3Q with the coveted double-up. It is 1st down (never ever turn the ball over on 1st down is in my Football Bible).
Dak reads this out perfectly because Cooks and young Jalen Brooks are running mirrored routes, but Brooks is the one with the inside leverage. He has the route won and now Dak puts the ball right on him, but Brooks falls. You feel bad for all involved and, of course, it sets up a 35-13 lead. Essentially, you cannot plan for a stumble and fall. Brooks must feel like garbage knowing this was a huge chance for him, but we trust he will bounce back.
3Q - 10:40 - 1-10-NO 11 - D.Prescott pass incomplete short right to E.Elliott.
Ok, these last three from that lackluster 2nd half all stick with me a bit more. This is a huge spot on 1st down. Again, a touchdown puts you at 35-23. I am not saying it is a great spot, but it certainly is far from over. You are in this game.
You can see the plan. 12 personnel and motion CeeDee to the left with a rollout screen back to the right to Zeke. Granderson is on Dak so fast that he cannot get the throw to Zeke. Again, the announcers said this was a touchdown, but DeMario Davis will likely have a lot to say about that. Still, a very big missed opportunity that Prescott will be upset about. This offense has no margin for error right now and that was a miss.
3Q - 9:58 - 3-8-NO 9 - D.Prescott sacked at NO 13 for -4 yards (B.Bresee). FUMBLES (B.Bresee), touched at NO 12, recovered by DAL-J.Tolbert at NO 22.
It is 3rd and 8 and I just don’t see many answers here as protection breaks down against just a four-man rush. Zeke hits the flat because he is counting on everyone to be fine, but both tackles are losing. Credit the Saints defense, but we need better solutions in the red zone that can happen quicker when they take CeeDee Lamb out with multiple defenders. This is where they look a bit stuck right now and this line cannot get you enough time. Chase Young is all over Guyton, Steele is hanging on against our friend Granderson, and Bryan Breese is pushing Martin back and then strips the ball. I show you this to show you Tolbert getting on the fumble to save the field goal, but this red zone needs Ferguson back and plenty of work.
4Q - 12:04 - 1-10-NO 47 - D.Prescott pass deep middle intended for C.Lamb INTERCEPTED by T.Mathieu at NO 30.
Finally, this one. Pretty upset that this happened because it is one play after the defense got a takeaway and this is a “Dak knows better” and “why playing QB down 22 is never successful” as we see no patience and walking right into a trap.
After the game, he credited Honey Badger for a great play, but I will say Honey Badger was doing this all day. His entire directive from Dennis Allen was to be the 2nd defender on all CeeDee Lamb routes and this is Cover 1-Robber. Mathieu is the robber and we know who he is robbing because he has been there all day. He is always going to Lamb. So at 2.5 seconds after the snap, here is what the play looks like.
Turpin is beating 14 on a drive to the far corner and Lamb right behind him on a post. People have complained about the spacing, but this is a pretty common concept across college and pro these days and the idea is that you read it inside to out. Meaning, Turpin is your first and then to Lamb. Now, at this point, you see Mathieu sitting on Turpin, but again, he has no interest in Turpin as we have been told the entire game that he is jumping Lamb.
This is where I need more patience, more confidence that Turpin can catch a pass like this, and less forcing the ball into Lamb in tight spaces. Dak admitted after the game that he should have been on Turpin, but regardless, he forced it in to Lamb for his worst throw of the day.
“That 2nd interception is the one that will stay with me,” he said after the game.
So, no, the offense did not lose this game. But, they also must be better than this for this team to get where it needs to go.
The Cowboys were not close to where they need to be offensively vs the Saints.
Bob Sturm
Sep 17, 2024
Our objectives today:
- Evaluate the offense in general and then closer looks at:
- The underperforming run game woes.
- Problems in the red zone.
- Checking in with Schoonmaker and Tolbert
- Look at some All-22 film and see what we can see.
Looking at the offense in a game like this is important. I know the easy narrative is that there is no hope in winning a game when your defense is that bad – and that is essentially true.
But, the offense is allowed to fight back, mount a rally, and attempt to turn the game around because when you fall behind early, you have an enormous amount of time to flip the game back to your favor. The Cowboys did not. They really never threatened the game, although I definitely thought there were two moments early in the 4th Quarter where the game was asking to be tightened up.
The Saints made it 41-19 late in the 3rd Quarter and then consecutive drives were promising but Dallas failed on a 4th down from the Saints 16 with 13:41 to play and a chance to cut it to 41-27 and then was given the ball on the Donovan Wilson interception immediately after with 12:04 to play. This is the NFL and we have seen teams down 14 with 12 minutes to play put pressure on the opponent.
But, the Dallas offense never did. And that flat way they finished the game – with three points in the 2nd half – is not on the defense at all. That is a failure of this offense.
Yet, it wasn’t the only failure on Sunday.
Here is the drive chart from this poor performance and I would draw your attention to the results. FG, FG, TD, INT, FG, FG. Those were the results on the far right-hand column for the first six offensive drives.
If you take the ball six times and score five of them, you should be in almost any game. If you take the ball five times in the first half of any home game and score on four of them, you should be well within the game for the 2nd half. But, it doesn’t take a genius to see that the constant “settling for field goals” bit the Cowboys hard in this one, too. When your opponent scores six times and has 42 points while you score five times and only have 19, we see incredible inefficiency for both sides of the ball.
And that is where we see the red failing grades below. You will not win in this league with 19 points, multiple turnovers, and especially 0-3 in the red zone.
It is a team game. And what that means, of course, is you must at times pick up your defense and other times, you hope they can pick you up.
On Sunday, the main story is that the defense was awful, but I would remind the offense that they are allowed to do something about it and to fight for all 60 minutes every week. It appears the offense felt they could best console their defense by joining them down on a level of mediocrity.
So, let’s dig down a bit and see why the offense is not a smooth operation at the moment.
THE UNDERPERFORMING RUN GAME WOES
The most obvious issue is this running game. We knew that it would be a work in progress, but we also know that this is a point of emphasis year after year. They invest all of their time and effort into a dominant offensive line and they want to be able to run the ball when and where they do. If they can, everything else becomes so much easier.
But, once again, they are in full struggle mode.
In 2023, they ranked 14th in yards per game (112.9) and 20th in yards per rush (4.10).
That caused them to move on from Tony Pollard, Tyron Smith, and Tyler Biadasz because we think we can do as good or better at a much lesser price.
Through two games in 2024 (it is so early!) they have regressed badly. They are now 25th in yards per game on the ground (85.0) and 26th in yards per rush (3.70).
They have somehow lost 28 yards per game and 0.4 yards per rush?
Let’s make a reel of all of the 1st half runs that resulted in the halftime stat line of 16 attempts for 47 yards (2.9 per).
It is a pretty rough scene right now. It seems that Steele and Martin are in good shape on a lot of these runs, but – shocker – my rookie side is very much a work in progress. There is some good and some bad, but overall, just not a lot of places to run for this offense and they need to figure things out in a hurry. They can’t keep putting it all on Dak and CeeDee to try to do it all, because that leads to issues that are clear.
If you slice up the run game by personnel grouping, there isn’ tmuch good to report anywhere, but the 21 grouping with Luepke and a TE seem to have at least a small sample of promise. 11 personnel run plays feel like a waste of time right now as they are barely successful on one of every three.
My initial observations are that Rico Dowdle seems to have the best feel for these runs, but also, Dallas may need to rely more on some wider runs and maybe even continue to feed the jet sweep option as much as possible.
In other words, it sure looks like they have rookies starting on this line.
PROBLEMS IN THE RED ZONE
Meanwhile, they were 0-3 in the red zone and that is the best way to lose games like this. Get down the field and leaving with three points will not cut it at this point.
We know this QB and offense is a very good red zone team in that they have been no worse than above average and as good as No. 1 in the NFL for an entire season just two years ago. They stepped back in 2023 to 14th and this is one of many places where we wonder if the Cowboys are short a couple play-makers. You can particularly see that when Jake Ferguson misses a game. Luke Schoonmaker filled in and looked fine (below), but the point is that this offense once had some matchups beyond CeeDee Lamb along the lines of:
- Amari Cooper
- Dalton Schultz
- Tony Pollard
- Michael Gallup (pre-ACL)
Which leads us to the overall issue right now.
There is just not enough juice in this offense. You can see them trying to find more of it as they go heavy on Turpin and Deuce Vaughn and even 16 snaps in 10 personnel. I cannot recall that many snaps in 10 personnel in a very long time.
The issue is that those 16 snaps produced only 87 yards. When you add that to 37 snaps in 11 personnel for 160, you find that Dallas needed way too many snaps to build drives and that there are hardly any chunk plays at all (beyond the CeeDee TD, what was there?)
This offense was built on chunk plays and we have seen them in the top 5 under Mike McCarthy more than not. They feed off big plays and they have about 220 in the last 3 seasons of 20+ yards. But, they just aren’t getting many right now which tells you they are way too easy to defend.
And that tells you they seem to have an offensive group that has CeeDee Lamb and a bunch of guys right now.
So, let’s look at two guys that both had moments on Sunday that they need to implement more.
CHECKING IN WITH SCHOONMAKER AND TOLBERT
Many of you have asked to here more about the progress of Luke Schoonmaker and Jalen Tolbert. The Cowboys heavily invested in both of them. You must hit on your top 100 picks in the NFL Draft and turn them into – at the very least – valuable contributors, if not starters.
These are the guys who make or break your roster. You should nail your 1st rounders because most of us can identify them. But, the best franchises show Day 2 – rounds 2 and 3 - are where they can separate themselves. Dallas has had some mixed results to say the least. But, if this is the year Tolbert and Schoonmaker can step forward, perhaps the offense can be saved.
First, here is Schoonmaker playing for Ferguson:
Thanks to Kevin Utz for editing this and it shows a very useful ability that is not that different from what we see from Ferguson. He wasn’t as good in the blocking game, but we know that is capable of that. I think there is reason to believe that he can do the job.
The one who has really lost the public trust is Jalen Tolbert. But, I was thrilled with his training camp progress and he turned it into a Week 2 where he had a career high in targets, catches, and yardage. This performance was the best of his career and I feel like we can see there is a lot of talent here and guys like Tolbert and Ryan Flournoy (perhaps in a bit) are the receivers who I think can help with those chunk plays this offense needs.
I continue to think that Tolbert needs to be a part of every game plan. His hustle to get on the fumble at the end of this clip might be enough to tell us his interest in being a factor this season.
Ok, let’s look at some clips and call it a week for the offense.
FILM STUDY
Seven plays to consider.2Q - 14:29 - 1-10-NO 29 - D.Prescott pass incomplete deep right to C.Lamb.
Ok, this is empty in 11 personnel and a real chance here. It is 1st and 10 so the slate is wrong on the clip. Cowboys are in a 3x2 and Lamb is wide right. The Saints are playing a Quarters coverage, so you can see the design to get Cooks to draw and occupy the safety on the right and that leaves Lamb vs 29-Paulson Adebo on a vertical.
The tv called it a QB miss and that is definitely what it looks like here. Dak said it was a miscommunication in the press conference and that leads me to this graphic below:
If it is a go route, we certainly would say that Lamb’s path is odd. We would also say that Dak’s throw lands down the numbers. So, I am thinking he was wondering why Lamb ran a very odd route (Adebo helped force him off his line) and Prescott was trying to look off the coverage and then drop the ball on the path he is expecting.
Again, I am not sure on this one. It is probably going on the QB ledger as a bad miss, but the way each player handled this says to me that this is where the QB is counting on a player to be 5 yards more to the right and made the throw accordingly. But, I also realize in this charged climate of Cowboys football, someone will assume I am making excuses for Dak. I’m not, but I just think that is not a route I am familiar with that Lamb ran.
Right before I published, Clarence Hill confirmed that I am not nuts.
Thank you, Clarence!
2Q - 12:23 - 3-10-NO 15 - D.Prescott sacked at NO 20 for -5 yards (C.Granderson).
Here is one of those failed red zone options. Not a lot of great options here early, so he has to wait. I think Turpin is open if Dak has time, but just as he spots him, Terence Steele loses to Carl Granderson. Granderson was very impressive on Sunday and Steele has to not over-set against that spin. A four-point play as they settle for a FG.
2Q - 7:54 - 1-10-DAL 35 - D.Prescott pass short right to C.Lamb for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12 personnel and a play-action fake. The Saints are in 2-man with Tyrann Mathieu lurking over CeeDee like he would all day. But, this pass is fantastic and then Lamb ducks the defenders and is off to the races. The level of casual elite here is off the charts as Lamb makes this look so easy. Just fantastic stuff.
2Q - 1:20 - 1-10-DAL 49 - D.Prescott pass deep right intended for J.Brooks INTERCEPTED by P.Adebo at NO 33. P.Adebo to DAL 20 for 47 yards
This one was the killer. It is 28-13 here and you have a chance to score and then get the kick to start the 3Q with the coveted double-up. It is 1st down (never ever turn the ball over on 1st down is in my Football Bible).
Dak reads this out perfectly because Cooks and young Jalen Brooks are running mirrored routes, but Brooks is the one with the inside leverage. He has the route won and now Dak puts the ball right on him, but Brooks falls. You feel bad for all involved and, of course, it sets up a 35-13 lead. Essentially, you cannot plan for a stumble and fall. Brooks must feel like garbage knowing this was a huge chance for him, but we trust he will bounce back.
3Q - 10:40 - 1-10-NO 11 - D.Prescott pass incomplete short right to E.Elliott.
Ok, these last three from that lackluster 2nd half all stick with me a bit more. This is a huge spot on 1st down. Again, a touchdown puts you at 35-23. I am not saying it is a great spot, but it certainly is far from over. You are in this game.
You can see the plan. 12 personnel and motion CeeDee to the left with a rollout screen back to the right to Zeke. Granderson is on Dak so fast that he cannot get the throw to Zeke. Again, the announcers said this was a touchdown, but DeMario Davis will likely have a lot to say about that. Still, a very big missed opportunity that Prescott will be upset about. This offense has no margin for error right now and that was a miss.
3Q - 9:58 - 3-8-NO 9 - D.Prescott sacked at NO 13 for -4 yards (B.Bresee). FUMBLES (B.Bresee), touched at NO 12, recovered by DAL-J.Tolbert at NO 22.
It is 3rd and 8 and I just don’t see many answers here as protection breaks down against just a four-man rush. Zeke hits the flat because he is counting on everyone to be fine, but both tackles are losing. Credit the Saints defense, but we need better solutions in the red zone that can happen quicker when they take CeeDee Lamb out with multiple defenders. This is where they look a bit stuck right now and this line cannot get you enough time. Chase Young is all over Guyton, Steele is hanging on against our friend Granderson, and Bryan Breese is pushing Martin back and then strips the ball. I show you this to show you Tolbert getting on the fumble to save the field goal, but this red zone needs Ferguson back and plenty of work.
4Q - 12:04 - 1-10-NO 47 - D.Prescott pass deep middle intended for C.Lamb INTERCEPTED by T.Mathieu at NO 30.
Finally, this one. Pretty upset that this happened because it is one play after the defense got a takeaway and this is a “Dak knows better” and “why playing QB down 22 is never successful” as we see no patience and walking right into a trap.
After the game, he credited Honey Badger for a great play, but I will say Honey Badger was doing this all day. His entire directive from Dennis Allen was to be the 2nd defender on all CeeDee Lamb routes and this is Cover 1-Robber. Mathieu is the robber and we know who he is robbing because he has been there all day. He is always going to Lamb. So at 2.5 seconds after the snap, here is what the play looks like.
Turpin is beating 14 on a drive to the far corner and Lamb right behind him on a post. People have complained about the spacing, but this is a pretty common concept across college and pro these days and the idea is that you read it inside to out. Meaning, Turpin is your first and then to Lamb. Now, at this point, you see Mathieu sitting on Turpin, but again, he has no interest in Turpin as we have been told the entire game that he is jumping Lamb.
This is where I need more patience, more confidence that Turpin can catch a pass like this, and less forcing the ball into Lamb in tight spaces. Dak admitted after the game that he should have been on Turpin, but regardless, he forced it in to Lamb for his worst throw of the day.
“That 2nd interception is the one that will stay with me,” he said after the game.
So, no, the offense did not lose this game. But, they also must be better than this for this team to get where it needs to go.