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Dallas Cowboys: 3 Takeaways vs. Chargers in Week 12

By Joshua Bateman

ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 23: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys scrambles under pressure from Joey Bosa #99 of the Los Angeles Chargers in the first quarter of a football game at AT&T Stadium on November 23, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 23: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys scrambles under pressure from Joey Bosa #99 of the Los Angeles Chargers in the first quarter of a football game at AT&T Stadium on November 23, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – NOVEMBER 23: Rod Smith #45 of the Dallas Cowboys pulls in a pass against Casey Hayward #26 of the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half of a football game at AT&T Stadium on November 23, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – NOVEMBER 23: Rod Smith #45 of the Dallas Cowboys pulls in a pass against Casey Hayward #26 of the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half of a football game at AT&T Stadium on November 23, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

3. Offensive identity is lost

By taking Elliott out of this lineup, the Cowboys have seen their offensive identity shattered. They are no longer capable of staying ahead of the chains, dominating the lineup of scrimmage and killing teams in the red zone. Quite frankly, there have been no signs of what this offense can turn to.

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We have seen Dak Prescott struggle more than any other time in his career, because this is the first time that there is no structure, and no play making around him. The Cowboys are still able to get some dink and dunk, gaining those four or five yards on runs and having the short routes to reliable receivers.

The problem is that is only effective if they can use it to create big plays, and punish teams in the red zone. Right now, the Cowboys cannot sustain a drive and they cannot finish a drive. Their offensive identity simply cannot be maintained, and it may be too late to try and find another one.

It is unfair to ask Prescott to completely adapt his approach at this point in the season, and it feels as lot like these wide receivers are not going to be carrying the offense. The Cowboys have done nothing to get excited about on offense, and it would take a monumental change for that to be fixed.

Everyone know that Elliott was important to the Cowboys, but we now know that he is the most essential piece to their offense, and they lose everything they want to do without him there. Some of this should go on the coaches, because they should have had something planned for this situation. At this point, I would not expect this offense to get anywhere near their best as long as Elliott is away.

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