Dak has thrown nearly 50 passes

[Go Budaw]

And had at least 5 or 6 other dropbacks that have led to him getting sacked or taking off running….in just 3 quarters…in a game in which Dallas has only spent maybe 4-5 minutes trailing by more than one score.

Probably not too thrilling for the Zeke Elliot drafters out there. A lot of mouths to feed in big D.

 

[messageboardsuperhero]

Our fans who ***** about the air raid better not turn this game on… Or any NFL game this season. By my count that is 75+ pass attempts to only about 25 rush attempts tonight between these two teams.

Somebody better tell these guys you can’t throw the ball that much against good defensive fronts. If these DLs in the NFL were half as good as the ones we face every week in the SEC, these offenses would get obliterated.

 

[SirBarksalot]

Our fans who ***** about the air raid better not turn this game on… Or any NFL game this season. By my count that is 75+ pass attempts to only about 25 rush attempts tonight between these two teams.

Air Raid will never work in the NFL

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

This game was supposed to be a game between two of the best QB's in the NFL right now and it has delivered.

 

[Cooterpoot]

You guys realize Tampa has the best front 7 in the league and nobody runs on them much right? Dallas wants to run it, but can't.

 

[Go Budaw]

You guys realize Tampa has the best front 7 in the league and nobody runs on them much right? Dallas wants to run it, but can't.

That might have held up in 2019, not in 2021 after what we saw last year. This is the Dak / Cooper / Lamb offense now. Zeke will still put up some stats, but his days of pushing that 2,000 total yard barrier are long, long gone. And realistically, he may not see 1,500-1,600 yards again….even with the 17 game schedule. A lot of miles on that odometer now.

 

[Eleven Bravo]

You guys realize Tampa has the best front 7 in the league and nobody runs on them much right? Dallas wants to run it, but can't.

Dallas isn’t running it because they aren’t even attempting to run it. Did you actually see Dallas trying to run it against that front? I watched-and it didn’t see Dallas “wanting” to run it, much less trying to run it. Perhaps we were watching different games...

 

[Cooterpoot]

Dallas isn’t running it because they aren’t even attempting to run it. Did you actually see Dallas trying to run it against that front? I watched-and it didn’t see Dallas “wanting” to run it, much less trying to run it. Perhaps we were watching different games...

They can't. Dallas won't throw that many times again this year. You can't run on that defense. Tampa was missing a DB too. Dallas tried to run for scores and failed every time.

 

[Go Budaw]

They can't. Dallas won't throw that many times again this year. You can't run on that defense. Tampa was missing a DB too. Dallas tried to run for scores and failed every time.

Wanna bet? Dak threw 58 passes tonight. His last 3 full games last year before the injury shortened game against the Giants? 47, 57, and 58 attempts. Average of 54 attempts per game. None of those three defenses (Cleveland, Atlanta, Seattle) were elite against the run. Yet they still threw the hell out of it. This is their offense now…best 3 players on the offense are Dak, Cooper, and Lamb. Of course, it also doesn’t help that their defense blows, and that will often have them playing catch up more than they would like and not able to eat away the 4th with a lead, even if they still had a spring chicken at RB. But that wasn’t really the case tonight.

Zeke is on the downhill slide of his career, which is completely obvious to anyone who has actually watched his last 15-16 games, and also from the snap share between him and Pollard just tonight. That doesn’t mean he’s worthless, but he is no longer the focal point of the offense like he was 2-3 years ago. Not even close. And it’s not surprising when you see that he’s toted the rock almost 1700 times in 6 years.

 

[Bulldogg31]

Dallas actually had a great game plan. They essentially took that front 7 of Tampa out of the game by making it Dak & the Dallas receivers vs. the Tampa DB’s and it damn near worked. If not for a shaky kicker Dallas wins that game. They won’t face a defense like that again until the playoffs. Cue Marv Levy…

 

[PineGroveBully]

View attachment 21687

Jim Mora, not Levy

 

[Trojanbulldog19]

Well they do have much better receivers and much better quarterbacks oh not to forget the oline men. Like the LSU jo burrow year. When you have talent like that in every offensive position you can do whatever the hell you want offensively

 

[She Mate Me]

Wanna bet? Dak threw 58 passes tonight. His last 3 full games last year before the injury shortened game against the Giants? 47, 57, and 58 attempts. Average of 54 attempts per game. None of those three defenses (Cleveland, Atlanta, Seattle) were elite against the run. Yet they still threw the hell out of it. This is their offense now…best 3 players on the offense are Dak, Cooper, and Lamb. Of course, it also doesn’t help that their defense blows, and that will often have them playing catch up more than they would like and not able to eat away the 4th with a lead, even if they still had a spring chicken at RB. But that wasn’t really the case tonight.

Zeke is on the downhill slide of his career, which is completely obvious to anyone who has actually watched his last 15-16 games, and also from the snap share between him and Pollard just tonight. That doesn’t mean he’s worthless, but he is no longer the focal point of the offense like he was 2-3 years ago. Not even close. And it’s not surprising when you see that he’s toted the rock almost 1700 times in 6 years.

I'd be happy to take the bet that Dallas won't throw the ball 58 times or more again in this regular season.

This is a pretty bad take. They were trailing in all the games you mentioned and battling to get back in the games. I expect the Cowboys to be much better all around this year with so many key guys back from injury and a pretty damn easy schedule the next half + of the season. They will be throwing early, getting leads and then Zeke will get his totes.


That was also clearly the best front they'll face all year and the game plan was to toss it all over the yard.

 

[8dog]

I dont think thats what they wanted to do in those games but they were losing by multiple scores in at least 2 of them so they had to start slinging it.

 

[Go Budaw]

I'd be happy to take the bet that Dallas won't throw the ball 58 times or more again in this regular season.

This is a pretty bad take. They were trailing in all the games you mentioned and battling to get back in the games. I expect the Cowboys to be much better all around this year with so many key guys back from injury and a pretty damn easy schedule the next half + of the season. They will be throwing early, getting leads and then Zeke will get his totes.


That was also clearly the best front they'll face all year and the game plan was to toss it all over the yard.

Ok. Well gentleman’s wager then. Doesn’t have to be for anything more than credibility. I’ll say it right here that if Dak plays all 17 games, he will throw 58 or more passes at least one more time. You can bookmark it.

And even if he doesn’t hit that number again, I think you’re still going to see 45-50 passes per game on average, which supports the overall point that the offense no longer runs through Zeke as the primary option.

 

[Jeffreauxdawg]

Dak wants another shot already. With Dallas's schedule, it's very likely they end up with 11-12 wins and get to see Tampa Bay again.

Dak Prescott to Tom Brady: “We’ll see y’all again.” (Video: @NFLUK) pic.twitter.com/8YoOvXmiwb— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) September 10, 2021

 

[Ralph Cramden]

Are there any NFL teams that don't throw the ball all over the field ? At least any of the best teams.

 

[WrapItDog]

Are there any NFL teams that don't throw the ball all over the field ? At least any of the best teams.

2020 - Baltimore (25.9), New England (27.5), and Tennessee (30.1) had the lowest number of pass attempts per game

 

[Go Budaw]

2020 - Baltimore (25.9), New England (27.5), and Tennessee (30.1) had the lowest number of pass attempts per game

You’ll probably see NE and Tennessee higher up that list this year. NE is gonna throw more without Cam and without the threat in general of the QB run, and Tennessee just added Julio so its hard to see them not at least throwing 10-15% more per game. Even Baltimore might start airing it out a tad more with their current RB situation.

 

[trob115]

Also can thank the missed block by the TE on the 3rd &goal. Zeke walks in if he gets that block.

 

[paindonthurt_]

I bet dak averages less than 50 passes per game this year

 

[paindonthurt_]

He can throw 40 times a game and Zeke can run 15 to 20 and they can both be featured.

I’m guessing zeke will average 15 to 20 carries and dak will average 40 to 45 passes a game.

 

[Go Budaw]

He can throw 40 times a game and Zeke can run 15 to 20 and they can both be featured.

I’m guessing zeke will average 15 to 20 carries and dak will average 40 to 45 passes a game.

Don’t look now but Pollard has creeped into a nearly 30-35% snap % (rough estimate based on actual touches last night and late last season).

Do you think Zeke has another 2,000 yard season in him? If not, do you think he’s got another 1,500 yard season in him?

 

[messageboardsuperhero]

You guys realize Tampa has the best front 7 in the league and nobody runs on them much right? Dallas wants to run it, but can't.

And wouldn’t that front make it hard for QBs to drop back and pass against? Sure they stop the run, but Tampa also finished fourth in sacks last season. They have a great pass rush too.

By that logic, since elite SEC defenses stop the run so well, isn’t throwing the ball a lot exactly what we should do to beat them?

I was told you can’t throw it 50+ times against good defensive fronts, like we see in the SEC every week. Clearly Tampa’s defensive front is worse than Arkansas and Kentucky’s.

 

[She Mate Me]

Ok. Well gentleman’s wager then. Doesn’t have to be for anything more than credibility. I’ll say it right here that if Dak plays all 17 games, he will throw 58 or more passes at least one more time. You can bookmark it.

And even if he doesn’t hit that number again, I think you’re still going to see 45-50 passes per game on average, which supports the overall point that the offense no longer runs through Zeke as the primary option.

Gentleman's wager it is (although I definitely don't qualify).

I do expect Dallas to throw the ball a lot and Zeke's role to be diminished as far as carries and rushing yards. I just don't see a game approaching 58 passes.

I also think the changes are more a function of a well rounded offense with effective players all over the place. Pollard and Zeke both impressed me last night. Zeke especially in pass protection.

I also 17'n loved the play calling.

 

[paindonthurt_]

Is this abt zeke, dak or the overall offensive strategy for Dallas?

My point is I think Dallas will be fairly balanced. 45 ish passes a game
30 ish runs a game

60/40 to 65/35 i consider that pretty balanced in today’s game

 

[WrapItDog]

I think you’re still going to see 45-50 passes per game on average

Detroit 2012 is the only team in the last decade to average 45 passes per game. I'll take the Dallas under 45 passes per game.

i will take the over on Zeke having 1000 yards rushing. Zeke had 979 yd rushing last year with 4 starting lineman out with injuries over the season.

 

[Bulldog Bruce]

I have been watching Cowboys games since Dak got there. I really believe Kellen Moore is just a bad play caller in the red zone, especially inside the 10. They seem to not have options for each play. That seems to be a major issue with their offense. I did like the option attempt last night, it was a missed block. I am not sure if any of it is on Dak not making correct reads. Just seemed just like in this game Brady threw to relatively open receivers where Dak's were much tighter. The Bucs adjustment ability was just better.

 

[Go Budaw]

Is this abt zeke, dak or the overall offensive strategy for Dallas?

My point is I think Dallas will be fairly balanced. 45 ish passes a game
30 ish runs a game

60/40 to 65/35 i consider that pretty balanced in today’s game

Good question. The jist of the original post I made was simply that there’s a lot of mouths to feed in the Dallas offense, and there seems to have been an offensive philosophy shift more towards the pass as Dak has evolved as a QB and gotten more weapons….so those who have drafted Zeke in fantasy may be disappointed in his output this season compared to where they had to draft him. Throwing 58 passes in a contest that was game script neutral for Dallas for all but a few minutes is evidence of that.

Some people took exception to that….then it kind of spider webbed into 3 or 4 other related topics.

 

[Go Budaw]

Detroit 2012 is the only team in the last decade to average 45 passes per game. I'll take the Dallas under 45 passes per game.

i will take the over on Zeke having 1000 yards rushing. Zeke had 979 yd rushing last year with 4 starting lineman out with injuries over the season.

Fair point. I was over on my estimate of 45-50 average, 40ish is more reasonable.

I think Zeke breaks 1,000 yards rushing too if he stays healthy….with 17 games that’s not a major stretch at all. But there’s a pretty good chance he only goes for 1300-1400 total yards, which is a big step down from where he’s been his first 5 years.

 

[Leeshouldveflanked]

Dallas actually had a great game plan. They essentially took that front 7 of Tampa out of the game by making it Dak & the Dallas receivers vs. the Tampa DB’s and it damn near worked. If not for a shaky kicker Dallas wins that game. They won’t face a defense like that again until the playoffs. Cue Marv Levy…

If butter finger Lamb catches those two drops that hit him solid in the hands or Zeurlein makes a kick or the TE makes a block on the goal line option….. the Cowboys win.

 

[Leeshouldveflanked]

I have been watching Cowboys games since Dak got there. I really believe Kellen Moore is just a bad play caller in the red zone, especially inside the 10. They seem to not have options for each play. That seems to be a major issue with their offense. I did like the option attempt last night, it was a missed block. I am not sure if any of it is on Dak not making correct reads. Just seemed just like in this game Brady threw to relatively open receivers where Dak's were much tighter. The Bucs adjustment ability was just better.

Agree. Also that was a piss poor block attempt by the TE on that option. Zeke could have jogged into the end zone if the TE put any effort in that block.

 

[olblue.sixpack]

If butter finger Lamb catches those two drops that hit him solid in the hands or Zeurlein makes a kick or the TE makes a block on the goal line option….. the Cowboys win.

Sounds like you watched a football game.

 

[paindonthurt_]

I agree dak might throw 58 again
I agree that passing is probably the “feature” now

But dak throwing 58 passes isn’t going to be the norm. Tampa’s defense had a lot to do with throwing 58 versus running more.

It will settle in around 40 with 30 ish rushes.

 

[Bulldogg31]

View attachment 21687

Jim Mora, not Levy

Dammit. Thanks for the assist

 

[Leeshouldveflanked]

Sounds like you watched a football game.

Dallas and Tampa Bay are the two least woke teams in the NFL….

 

[Go Budaw]

I agree dak might throw 58 again
I agree that passing is probably the “feature” now

But dak throwing 58 passes isn’t going to be the norm. Tampa’s defense had a lot to do with throwing 58 versus running more.

It will settle in around 40 with 30 ish rushes.

I don’t see it being the “norm” either, but its really hard to see the last 3 full games being 57, 58, and 58 attempts, and then thinking they aren’t going to push it up to that level again over the next 16 games.

Then there is the biggest reason for those high attempt numbers that also hasn’t really been discussed….the defense was 17ing awful last year, and looks to be just as bad this year too. They aren’t a team that is built to just jump out to big leads and then shorten the game with the power running attack. The D just isn’t good enough.

 

[PineGroveBully]

Maybe, but still only 50/50 chance they win it even if Zuerlein makes every kick that touched his foot. Even giving him the 60 yarder puts the Cowboys at 36. Take away that last FG from TB as it does them no good down 8. So it’s 36-28. Brady had so much time that he lollygagged 3 tosses 20 yards OOB to burn clock. There was no real urgency on the series prior to that, not like there would have been had they needed the 6+2 and they still got to the 20.

I’ve seen Brady enough to know he had as good a chance as not get get it. Just aren’t many defenses going to stop Brady with the game on the line at home when he can line up Evans/Godwin/Brown/Gronk out wide, not with the pass rush Dallas was getting. He was only pressured 8 times all night to TB’s 22 QB pressures.

Now there’s no doubt their win probability goes way up if he makes one, but it’s far from a sure thing.

 

[WrapItDog]

the defense was 17ing awful last year, and looks to be just as bad this year too.

Dallas is #1 in total defense ahead of #2 Tampa Bay in the current NFL rankings**

 

[Bulldogg31]

Are there any NFL teams that don't throw the ball all over the field ? At least any of the best teams.

Not really. I think the difference is that Dallas decided not to sacrifice a bunch of downs by even trying to run on that front 7 of Tampa. Even on 3rd and short they were throwing the ball. It effectively nullified Tampa’s biggest strength, something even KC couldn’t figure out.