Dallas Cowboys: 3 Takeaways vs. Seahawks in Week 16

2. Third down efficiency, red zone chances a mess

The offense of the Dallas Cowboys didn’t produce in chances and opportunities that meant the most on Sunday. When it came to the Cowboys on third down, they were held to under a 50-percent conversation rate at 46 percent. Even worse, in two red zone opportunities, the same offense was 0-for-2.

Numbers like the one mentioned above just won’t cut the mustard when playoff chances are on the line. Finishing 6-for-13 on third down opportunities won’t help matters at all. Granted, the Seahawks were worse on third down Sunday, but they were also 2-for-2 in the red zone, which is a double-digit point difference, too.

Dallas even had the time of possession battle won, but when they had to settle for four field goals on Christmas Eve and have an offense that not only failed to produce in much-needed situations, but allowed a touchdown on a pick six in the third quarter, it was a mixture for no success.

Seeing the flaws of the Cowboys come to the surface when they needed to be at their best might have been bad for 2017, but it might help make the offseason and the 2018 season better. This franchise must play better when it matters the most, and that wasn’t the case against Seattle.