Dallas Cowboys: 3 takeaways after win over Eagles
1. The o-line not up to usual standards?
Sep 20, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo passes in the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
Yes, the Cowboys had to play with two backup guards (they rotated in La’el Collins and Mackenzy Bernadeau) with the absence of Ronald Leary in the Sunday showdown with the Eagles, but there was no excuse for the way the offensive line played on Sunday.
They allowed Romo to be sacked three times, and one of those cost him eight weeks of the season. Though maybe that final hit he took was due to a bad route run by a receiver who just joined the team, for all that has been praised about the offensive line this offseason (I’m one of those supporters), what we saw against the Eagles wasn’t their best work by far.
This unit usually impresses me, but not on Sunday.
David Moore of DallasNews.com wrote this about Collins and Bernadeau:
"“The veteran Bernadeau was hit with three penalties in the win over Philadelphia. Collins had none.”"
Not to mention – and this isn’t all on the o-line, either – the running game isn’t up to the standards of the Cowboys. Part of that has to be on this elite offensive line, but the running backs need to start doing their job much better, especially now with Romo missing eight weeks or more.
Maybe it wasn’t the worst game in the world for this offensive line, but compared to the standards they’ve set with their past play, it wasn’t what we all are accustomed to watching.
In two games this season, the Cowboys are averaging 94.5 yards per game rushing, 20th in the NFL. This season, the rushing attack is averaging 3.4 yards per carry. Compare that to 2014, when the ypc average was 4.6, second-best in the NFL. The Cowboys’ offensive line blocked for 147.1 yards per game last season.
Compared to their counterparts, the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, the Cowboys’ offensive line didn’t look that bad, but if they are drawing comparisons to the “Great Wall of Dallas,” or it is being said they are the best in the league … well, this past game wasn’t up to their standards, and I bet they have a much better outing in Week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons.
Next: In Brandon Weeden we trust ...