DMN: Grading the Cowboys: Why offense gets worst grade in win over Redskins

[bbgun]

Sportsradio 1310 The Ticket host Bob Sturm grades the Dallas Cowboys in their win over the Washington Redskins on Sunday.

OFFENSE: C+

The offense moved the ball with four drives of over 75 yards and three that ended with touchdowns, including the winning drive that demonstrated a precision that you would only dream a rookie QB would be capable of accomplishing. Dak Prescott's first road start was quite impressive. It was another week of very strong third down play and the team rolled up 27 points, 380 yards, and only one giveaway. Dez Bryant was plenty effective as well, but Ezekiel Elliott and the running game still have plenty of work to do. They are losing on too many running plays and the offensive line and running game are not playing to its reputation.

DEFENSE: B-

We continue to grade the defense on a curve as they attempt to survive until they can get their suspensions served. Washington had them on the run early, but the final five drives totaled six points as the Cowboys held firm on several second-half red zone attempts and then were able to survive the final two drives with the patented Rod Marinelli "bend but don't break." Barry Church's end zone interception may have saved the day and allowing only two touchdowns on six red zone drives made giving up 432 yards less painful.

COACHING: B+

After a week of hearing complaints throughout the Metroplex about the overly conservative nature of this coaching staff and how it is imperative that they prove to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem, it appeared that Jason Garrett had some initiatives for Week 2. Those included trying to figure out ways to get the ball to your best playmaker, looking for a chance to extend a field goal drive into a touchdown by going for a fourth down, and trying to steal a possession with an onside kick. Aggressive coaching should not be results-dependent. The Cowboys coached to offensively attack today.

OVERALL: B

This was a critical win on the road and inside the division. To beat the division champion at their place with your rookie QB is a difficult accomplishment across the NFL. Granted, the Redskins do not appear to be a heavyweight themselves, but this was a game that, like last week, required plays to be made in the final quarter to decide the game. The Cowboys made almost no plays last week in the fourth quarter, and almost all of them this week. They needed this win badly and earned it at critical times. Well played, indeed.

 

[Omegasupreme]

The commentators in the game, I think it was John Lynch, said that Dallas had been short changed on the defensive part of the ball in talent but "Marinelli would never complain. He's not like that. He feels that he can coach anyone he is an old school coach."

So true. There are so many spackle players on the defensive line and Barry Church is still a liability. Yes he had an easy interception but to show how slow he actually is, he took about 15 steps and still didn't reach the field and downed the ball instead.

It was obvious today that if Dallas an size and power in the inner defensive line, they would be able to send their edge rushers. Right now Lawrence and Gregory returning is fairly meaningless. Okay so maybe they will have a little more of a pass rush but who is going to bother to pass when they can gash the defense for 15 yards per carry up the middle.

Then sending Barry Church on blitzes really need to start the night before so he can eventually make it into the backfield.

There is so much wrong with who Dallas has and why they have them and what they do with them, that even in a win like today you feel sorry for Marinelli.

 

[ThoughtExperiment]

^ Yep. Sturm was talking in the pregame about how we're #21 or 22 in the league in defensive cap spending. Our defense shouldn't be expected to be that good. They looked terrible today IMO but that's about all you can expect given the resources allocated there.