The Dallas Cowboys entered their bye week with a sense of underwhelming performances from their “Texas Coast Offense.” Head coach Mike McCarthy recognized the need for change to unleash the offense’s full potential.
Against the Los Angeles Rams, the Cowboys demonstrated a significant offensive improvement, scoring 24 first-half points with Dak Prescott passing for 255 yards and three touchdowns. This transformation involved letting Prescott off the leash, a shift that was evident at AT&T Stadium.
McCarthy explained, “I think it was just more getting to concepts and doing some things we just haven’t done yet. Really just cutting Dak [Prescott] loose.”
The Cowboys’ offensive struggles during the first part of the season had raised concerns. Despite a 4-2 record, McCarthy’s offensive scheme had failed to consistently impress. It appeared that the Cowboys were relying too heavily on their defense to generate scores.
This imbalance was seen as unsustainable, prompting McCarthy to take action during the bye week. “I think it was more confirmation of just we need to get going, we need more production from the offense,” McCarthy said. He emphasized the importance of trusting the players and opening up the playbook. “We have a lot of football to play, and conceptually, we got some things we still haven’t got to yet.”
The Cowboys’ offensive overhaul against the Rams showcased a promising new approach. While it’s important to exercise caution after just one game, the potential of an unleashed Dak Prescott offers optimism for the Cowboys’ future offensive performances.
The challenge now lies in maintaining this momentum against the Philadelphia Eagles and beyond, but the Cowboys seem determined to continue “cutting Dak loose” to keep their offense firing on all cylinders.