Whereas it’s smart to keep away from hyperbole after beating a beforehand 0-4 group, there’s no denying that this Cowboys offense is trying higher than anticipated. Whereas there are numerous parts to that, we have now to level to the coaches, three particularly, who’ve their facet of the ball performing whatever the circumstances and assumed challenges. Brian Schottenheimer, offensive coordinator Klayton Adams, and offensive line coach Conor Riley all deserve sport balls after how Dallas dealt with its enterprise in opposition to the New York Jets.
Sure, it was the Jets. We all know. However that is the NFL, and occurring the highway with just one beginning offensive lineman isn’t presupposed to appear to be that. You’re not presupposed to have 180 whole dashing yards, or solely surrender one sack. You’re not presupposed to have zero turnovers. And also you’re undoubtedly not presupposed to do them when your franchise WR can be out with harm.
Going into this yr, no person would’ve believed that an offense led by Dak Prescott and Javonte Williams can be able to this, whatever the opponent. However Prescott turned in one other near-perfect efficiency with 4 touchdowns, no picks, and a 127.4 passer score. Williams posted a career-high 135 dashing yards and two touchdowns, one by land and one by air. And once more, this was all with no CeeDee Lamb, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker, or Tyler Guyton on the sector.
That’s why, as a lot as Prescott and Williams deserve their flowers and can get them this week, we’re pointing to the coaches right here. Schottenheimer has these guys centered and preventing. No o-line starters however Terence Steele? No downside. Unsure about your protection going into New York? The offense is able to tackle the problem. The spirit of this group is a mirrored image of its head coach, and the Cowboys are displaying coronary heart like we not often, if ever, noticed over the last regime.
However even the place there’s loads of will, you continue to have to seek out the proper approach. And that’s the place the partnership of Schottenheimer as playcaller and Adams because the OC deserves a lot credit score. They’ve discovered the proper system to get probably the most out of Prescott, who has by no means regarded extra snug, assured, and in command at any level in his profession. Let’s not overlook to additionally shout out Steve Shimko, one other new arrival as QB coach, and the work he’s performed to assist get Prescott to this degree.
Don’t overlook, the QB room additionally needed to adapt to the departure of Cooper Rush. Prescott’s main backup for seven of the final 9 years, Rush was thought of like one other assistant coach in how he assisted with sport preparation. Whereas Joe Milton and Will Grier are doubtless protecting a few of that floor, numerous credit score goes to Shimko, Adams, and Schottenheimer for a way they’ve solely made Prescott higher regardless of the entire modifications.
The quarterback play wouldn’t be so good, although, if not for a way the offense line is performing. It’s one factor when you will have three first-round picks on the market, to not point out a third-round steal in Beebe and a veteran in Terence Steele. However when all of these guys are gone however Steele, and but you don’t actually discover a lot drop-off, we have now to speak about Conor Riley’s work.
In his first NFL teaching job, spending about 20 years within the faculty ranks, the previous Kansas State offensive coordinator is rapidly proving he belongs within the massive leagues. The improved run sport and stable move safety we’d already seen this yr was laudable. However final Sunday, Riley’s inventory went up dramatically.
Whereas Brock Hoffman and T.J. Bass have been right here a short time, it’s nonetheless a brand new offense for them. Hakeem Adeniji was a bargain-bin free agent this previous spring, and Nathan Thomas was a 2024 seventh-rounder who spent final season stashed away on injured reserve. However you wouldn’t know that Thomas, not Tyler Guyton, was the previous first-round choose based mostly on that sport. The complete unit carried out to some extent that you just by no means actually missed any of the starters.
Positive, a Tyler Smith remains to be able to issues {that a} man like Adeniji isn’t. However the important thing when backups are enjoying, significantly, on the offensive line, is mitigating liabilities. For at the least this week, Riley and Adams did that in distinctive style.
Once more, it’s simple to attempt to dismiss a lot of this due to the opponent. However that was mainly a preseason offensive line on the market, and but it was the Jets who regarded like they weren’t prepared for an actual sport. That’s teaching, child.
We’ll see how issues go in Charlotte subsequent Sunday, and in even more durable video games to return. However this final sport was an enormous step ahead in constructing confidence in a single half Brian Schottenheimer’s workers.
