Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said Friday that the team’s offense is positioned to correct its recent problems as it prepares for a Monday night matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Cowboys have scored just 29 total points in consecutive losses to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers. Those results dropped Dallas to 2-4 on the season.
Last year, the Cowboys finished with the second-most yards in the NFL and ranked seventh in points scored. Through six games this season, they sit 13th in yards per game at 343.2.
The ground game has been a particular issue. Dallas ranks 31st in rushing yards per game at 76.0 while averaging 267.2 yards through the air, good for sixth in the league.
“We’re in good shape,” Jones said on 105.3 The Fan. “We’re really structured to address what our problems have been over the last two weeks.”
This marks the second season with Brian Schottenheimer calling plays after he took over as head coach. Jones noted that opposing defenses now have a full year of film on the Cowboys’ schemes.
“It’s a given that as you roll along, you better change it up as you roll along,” Jones said. “Whether it be, frankly, season to season, or very much so from opening day to as you get on into the season. If you can’t make changes and can’t anticipate people studying you and setting up defenses that give you a different challenge, then you’ve missed the point. That’s to be expected.”
Jones said he is very confident that Schottenheimer and the offensive staff will make the right adjustments for the Eagles.
He has long preferred that head coaches handle play-calling duties rather than serving as a “walk-around” coach.
“I’ve really always preferred the head coach be specific to, as operationally, one side of the ball or the other and basically be one of the coordinators,” Jones said. “When we hired Schotty, his job that he had been doing working with Dak and the offense was very much a part of what his great credentials were to help our team immediately. And that’s what’s happened.”
Schottenheimer, speaking on the same radio station earlier Friday, said he would “absolutely not” relinquish play-calling responsibilities.
“I have incredible confidence in our offense,” Schottenheimer said. “We have not played well the last two weeks, we have addressed a lot of the reasons why. We haven’t changed who we are. We are still a good explosive offense with weapons. We can hurt you a lot of different ways. I certainly haven’t lost the ability to call plays. I’m an elite play-caller in this league, and it can change around quickly.”
Running back Javonte Williams has 317 yards and seven touchdowns on 85 carries this season. Quarterback Dak Prescott has thrown for 1,639 yards with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions.
The Eagles enter the game allowing 363.8 yards per game, ranking 27th in the NFL. Both teams sit at 2-4 in the NFC East.
Dallas will look to rediscover its offensive rhythm on Monday night in Philadelphia. The Cowboys averaged 25.2 points per game overall through six contests, ranking around 12th league-wide.
