Week 8 is a great time for the Cowboys offense to spread out and pass
As great as it would be to apply the running game for the second week in a row, Week 8 with the Cardinals is a better opportunity to pass.
Week 8 presents an ideal opportunity for the Dallas Cowboys' offense to transition from their traditional run-heavy approach to a more pass-oriented strategy. After successfully running the ball in their most recent game against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Cowboys should recognize that their current identity is no longer the most advantageous against the Arizona Cardinals.
The Cardinals' defensive strategy, which involves loading the box and pressuring the quarterback, has proven effective in stopping opponents' runs. In fact, their run defense ranks eighth in the NFL, while their pass defense is the third-worst in the league. This defensive philosophy, which sees them employing base defense 50 percent of the time, makes it difficult for opposing offenses to gain yards and exploit big plays.
Given the Cardinals' tendency to play base defense and their excessive focus on stopping the run, the Cowboys should take advantage of this by spreading the field and relying on 11 personnel formations. This approach will create advantageous matchups, allowing Dallas receivers to exploit the coverage and potentially find success against the Cardinals' linebackers and safeties.
Moreover, the Cowboys' tight end group has been underperforming, and the participation of Luke Schoonmaker is in question. These factors further support a move towards a more pass-focused offense. However, this does not mean the Cowboys should abandon running entirely. Instead, they should use box counts and success rates to determine when to run and when to pass effectively.
The Cowboys should be prepared to audible to a run when the box defense is favorable and utilize their secret weapons in short-yardage situations or when shifting to 21 personnel. Nevertheless, the primary focus should be on exploiting the Cardinals' weaknesses and capitalizing on their pass defense struggles. Unless the Cardinals significantly adjust their defensive strategy, the Cowboys would be wise to prioritize a pass-first approach in Week 8.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
