Why can’t the Cowboys score touchdowns anymore?
The Dallas Cowboys scored at least 28 points in six straight games from Weeks 4-9. They went 4-2 in that stretch and the offense appeared to have hit its stride.
But the Cowboys have derailed the past two games. Sure, they’ve missed running back Ezekiel Elliott and left tackle Tyron Smith. Those are two of the top players in the game.
But it’s hard to fathom the offense going into this much of a funk. That’s what’s happened, though, with the offense producing just one touchdown in the 23 drives the past two games.
The Cowboys didn’t score an offensive touchdown in a game for the first time since late in the 2015 season during Sunday night’s 37-9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
“Obviously we haven’t been good enough,” coach Jason Garrett said. “We haven’t been able to be consistent running the football, consistent throwing the football. I don’t think our pass protection has been as good as it needs to be. We just haven’t been able to attack the defenses different ways like we’re capable of doing and like we have been doing at different points this year.
“It’s not good enough. We’re going to continue to work to put our players in the best position possible to make first downs, drive the ball and score points.”
The Cowboys struggled mightily against the Eagles. They converted just three of 14 third down attempts, and went 0-for-2 in their two red zone trips.
The struggles were apparent from the start. The Cowboys started the game on the Eagles’ 37 after a long kickoff return by Ryan Switzer. But they didn’t convert a third-and-three and settled for a 48-yard field goal.
On the next drive, the Cowboys had a first-and-10 from the Philly 12 and ended up settling for a field goal. The Cowboys’ only other scoring drive went for a field goal, too, late in the first half.
“We’re not moving the ball. We’re not doing the things that we need to do,” quarterback Dak Prescott said. “It’s as simple as that. Our run game get’s going and our pass game is not. We just have to find a way for guys to be more consistent.”
Prescott had the worst game of his career. He was 18-of-31 passing for 145 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions. He had a career-low 30.4 passer rating.
But it didn’t fall solely on Prescott. The entire offense seemed at a loss for words as to why they can’t finish drives.
“I don’t know because we drove the ball decent,” right guard Zack Martin said. “What we’re usually pretty good at is third and short, and we weren’t able to convert in the second half and really put our defense in a bad situation.”
Said tight end Jason Witten: “We know we need to score touchdowns to win in this league, especially against a team as good as they are. It just snowballed on us. In the first half we were able to move the ball some, but couldn’t get it in there. That affected us later in the second half.”
Said running back Alfred Morris: “Whatever it is, we just got to find a way to get in the end zone. Last two weeks we haven’t done that so we have to find a way to get in the end zone.”
The Cowboys wouldn’t make excuses for their performance, and certainly weren’t going to blame the absence of Elliott and Smith as to the offensive futility. But there’s no question those two guys are staples of what has been one of the more high-powered offenses in the league of late.
“I don’t think you can allow yourself to go there,” Witten said. “Certainly, they’re really good football players. Some of the best at their position. [Losing players] happens all the time in this league. Our mentality has been that when guys had opportunities they stepped up. We just all have to do better.”
This story was originally published November 20, 2017 at 1:07 AM with the headline "Why can’t the Cowboys score touchdowns anymore?."