Dallas Cowboys have unlocked Javonte Williams. The whole offense is benefitting
It’s only been two games into the season, but one preseason concern — and this writer will admit that he had it, too — has almost entirely been put to bed: Javonte Williams is a more-than-capable starting running back.
It’s a surprise, no doubt. From a guy who lost his starting job in his final year with the Denver Broncos in 2024, little was expected about what Williams could provide as a lead back for the Dallas Cowboys coming into 2025. However, through two games, Williams has not only been a serviceable option in the backfield, but is statistically among the best running backs in the NFL.
In Sunday’s 40-37 win over the New York Giants, his impact was felt with 130 total yards, including a 30-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter that was attributed as his longest run since his rookie season in 2021. In two games, his 3.6 rush EPA (expected points added) is fourth among all running backs in the NFL, per NFL Pro.
While his lightning-fast start out of the gates is a surprise to many, it hasn’t been for head coach Brian Schottenheimer.
“I’ve been the high guy on Javonte the whole time,” Schottenheimer said. “I’m just telling you, if you find a running back in the National Football League that plays harder than this guy, more physical than this guy, I’d love to see it. I’m sure there are some that are on that same level, but I don’t think there’s anybody that plays the game more physical.”
After tearing his ACL in 2022, Williams said over the offseason that he didn’t truly feel like he was back to his previous self until earlier this year. It makes sense, because the numbers show it.
His 3.6 yards per carry over the last two seasons did not offer optimism coming into Dallas, but he has increased that total by a whole yard (4.6) through two games. His rush EPA in 2025 is the first time he’s been in the green in that category in his career after a -28.3 rush EPA in 2024 and a -46.8 rush EPA in 2023 which was fifth-worst across all running backs in the league.
“I could not be more happy for that young man with what he’s had to go through, where he’s been,” Schottenheimer said. “It was so cool to see him break through, but he’s just getting started. I can promise you that.”
It’s been a similarly hot start to the season for quarterback Dak Prescott. As a passer who has proven throughout his career to produce better over the course of a game when a balanced rushing attack is complemented next to him, the first two games have shown that Williams’ success has played a large role into Prescott finding his own.
In Sunday’s win, Prescott went 11-for-12 for 111 yards when using play action, signaling a higher effectiveness with the threat of Williams carrying the football.
“He’s a big part of this offense,” Prescott said. “Super proud of him, super thankful that we have a guy like that. He’s a true pro’s pro. A super smart player. He knows every part of the game plan, helps other people and gets the guys going in the locker room. He’s a key to this offense.”
For an offense that is third in yards per game (392.5) and fifth in points per game (30.0) through two weeks, it’s hard to accomplish offensive success without a well-oiled running game. With Williams in tow, expect the Cowboys to sustain that efficiency in Week 3 against a Chicago Bears team that is allowing the sixth-most rushing yards (297) through two weeks.
If Williams cannot only sustain this career-high level of success through Week 3, but through the entire season, the Cowboys could be well on pace to have one of their best seasons offensively in franchise history. Considering only nine running backs in 2024 finished with a positive rush EPA, Williams sustaining that level of dominance throughout the year will make the overall Cowboys offense a weapon when they run through a gauntlet of talented teams in November and December.
This story was originally published September 16, 2025 at 2:58 PM.
