Cowboys Striving for Consistency Amidst Transition
The Dallas Cowboys have embarked on the 2024 NFL season with a mixed bag of results, currently holding a 3-3 record. This middling start stands in stark contrast to their previous form, having enjoyed back-to-back 12-win seasons from 2021 through 2023. However, the tide began to turn for the Cowboys in the offseason, marked by the departures of key players that have left the team in a period of adjustment and rebuilding.
Among the notable names bidding farewell to the Dallas roster were Tyron Smith, Tyler Biadasz, and Tony Pollard, each moving to new teams and taking with them invaluable experience and skills. Smith now dons the New York Jets colors, Biadasz has joined the Washington Commanders, while Pollard is further south with the Tennessee Titans. Their exits have presented the Cowboys with both challenges and opportunities as they focus on integrating fresh talent into the lineup.
The team has welcomed new prospects, such as Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe, who are being closely watched as potential pivotal figures for the Cowboys. However, these changes have not immediately translated into on-field success for Dallas, as evidenced by their struggle in the run game. Currently, the Cowboys rank last in rushing yards per game at 77.2, a figure that underscores their struggles to find a reliable ground game.
Adding further complexity to their situation is the pressure mounting on veteran quarterback Dak Prescott. Last season, Prescott led the league with 36 passing touchdowns, a testament to his capabilities under center. Despite his past success, Prescott has candidly acknowledged the current lack of satisfaction with his play. "I'd say I've played average, and average isn't good enough right now. It's never been good enough for me. I can't say that I've been happy or excited after any of these games that I've played. I can play better. For sure. And I expect to," he remarked, setting clear expectations for himself.
The pressure is not solely on Prescott’s shoulders. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who led the league with 135 receptions last season, also plays a crucial role in the Cowboys’ offensive strategy. Lamb, reflecting on recent challenges, noted, "We love a bye week, we take advantage of it. Anything we feel like we missed out on together as a unit, as a duo, we hopped on it, just got right to work." These sentiments reflect the team's commitment to utilizing time effectively to bridge the gaps that have emerged in their gameplay.
Adding to the story of this transitional season has been the Cowboys’ recurring battles with the San Francisco 49ers. Dallas has faced the 49ers in three consecutive encounters, including postseason face-offs in 2021 and 2022, as well as suffering a significant 42-10 defeat in Week 5 of last year. These successive defeats highlight a particular rivalry that remains a daunting challenge for the Cowboys.
Looking inward, the Cowboys have relied on the likes of Rico Dowdle, an undrafted veteran running back expected to help ignite their lackluster rushing attack. The team’s dynamics are evolving, requiring other players to seize the opportunity to step up. Prescott reiterated this sentiment, saying, "Other guys got to win. They've got to seek that opportunity to go make those plays and give obviously myself with them and this whole offense more confidence."
Further complicating matters has been the lack of cohesion and consistency that the team typically builds during pre-season camps. Prescott alluded to these challenges, stating, "Obviously you have to look at camp, and you can call it an excuse or whatever, but it just goes into right, as I said, being consistent. When you haven't had that time in camp, you've got to be able to communicate through things."
If the Cowboys aim to rediscover their winning ways, building on the talents of both established players like Prescott and emerging stars is essential. Integrating new additions and tightening up loose ends in their offensive and defensive plays will be crucial in reversing their current trend. Despite the initial hurdles, the Cowboys possess the pieces needed to assemble a competitive squad, but the task now is to synchronize those elements into a cohesive unit capable of executing their plays at a higher level.