The Dallas Cowboys put up a terrible showing against the Buffalo Bills, losing 31-10. The game felt like it was over at halftime as the Cowboys’ offense couldn’t do anything and the defense couldn’t stop anything. It was not good.
But was this loss as bad as it looked the first time around? Sadly, it was. Despite a first half that wouldn’t been closer had a punt got blocked, a fumble got challenged, and a roughing the passer penalty not been called, things unraveled in the second half. Here is what we learned after further review.
DANCING IN THE RAIN
We all know the Cowboys are vulnerable against the run. Entering this game, they’ve had two games this year where they’ve given up at least 170 yards on the ground, and needless to say, they lost both games by double-digits. We also know they would be without their best run-stopping defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins and they employ a slew of smaller hybrid safety/linebackers.
On Sunday, they had their worst run defense showing since Dan Quinn took over the defense. James Cook rushed for 179 yards (7.2 ypc) with another 42 yards receiving and finished with two touchdowns. He would’ve had four touchdowns if he wasn’t stopped at the one-foot line (Josh Allen QB sneak TD) or dropped a bobbled pass near the goal line.
Cook demolished the Cowboys’ defense. His shiftiness to bounce outside created all kinds of problems for the group of safeties. The Bills used jumbo packages to overpower an already undersized linebacker group. Defenders were getting washed out and Cook ran the ball with ease, oftentimes not even being touched until he was near the first-down marker. It was tough to sit through.
There were so many plays where James Cook wasn’t even contacted until he was eight yards down the field.
Bad angles.
Slow lateral agility.
Ridiculously poor tackling.
Small dudes washed out by linemen.The Bills RB danced all over the Cowboys’ defense. It was embarrassing. pic.twitter.com/dDJkEa3qiI
— Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) December 18, 2023
POOR DISPLAY OF TACKLING
The list is long as to why the Cowboys couldn’t stop the run, but atop the list is just how bad they were wrapping up. It was a barrage of arm tackling which ultimately didn’t slow anyone down. They couldn’t even bring down the Bills quarterback as he punished the Cowboys’ lackluster tackling ability.
I don’t even have words for what’s happening here. The Cowboys tackling was so bad in this game. They made Josh Allen look like Marshawn Lynch in this play. pic.twitter.com/gYZRRDpvnu
— Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) December 18, 2023
It’s hard to judge the team’s pass defense. They only allowed 85 passing yards, but that’s because the Bills seldom had a reason to throw the ball. The Cowboys’ offense couldn’t get anything going on their end and that put Dallas in a negative game script the entire time.
RUNNING GAME ABORTED
The Cowboys were coming off two consecutive games where they ran the ball well and the Bills run defense is the weakest thing about them. We expected this to lead to some extra carries for Tony Pollard and Rico Dowdle.
Unfortunately, falling into a hole early put a damper on that plan. They did have a few nice running plays when they ran a draw from shotgun formation. The Bills’ defense was loitering in the secondary with an occasional blitz coming after Dak. This left plenty of space to run the ball in the middle of the field.
If there is one thing the Cowboys offense did well on Sunday, it was running out of the shotgun. With the Bills coming after Dak and the DBs sitting on the chains, there was space in the middle to run. It’s unfortunate the Cowboys didn’t attack this more. pic.twitter.com/wttXrIjzM6
— Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) December 18, 2023
When Buffalo knew a run was coming, they did a great job sneaking in an extra defensive back from the edge that the Cowboys offense failed to pick up, blowing up the play.
The Cowboys weren’t so efficient when it was more apparent they were going to run the ball. The Bills kept sending a blitzing DB that the Cowboys failed to pick up and gave him a free shot at the running back. pic.twitter.com/zqD4f2hd6P
— Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) December 18, 2023
NOBODY OPEN
The Cowboys have done a great job operating without much of a ground attack thanks to some good play-calling and top-level passing from Prescott. However, that was not the case in this game. The Bills defense sat on the chains and Dak didn’t see much he liked. It was like déjà vu all over again as Prescott just held the ball and took off running quite a bit. There were just not a lot of open receivers to throw to.
Dak Prescott has done well seeing the field as of late, but on Sunday there wasn’t much available. Even when the protection was good, he had nowhere to go with the ball. Good defensive scheming is going to happen. The playcalling has to give him a fighting chance. pic.twitter.com/bTDdvjeOpW
— Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) December 18, 2023
THROWING INTO COVERAGE
Of course, Prescott chose to take his shots. It’s not clear if he didn’t see the field well or just thought he could fit in a tight window throw, but there were several instances where Dak cut loose into traffic.
And then finally he just lost control of this one as it looked like he got crossed up between two receivers in the same area.
Things finally got the better of him and Prescott’s luck finally ran out. I’m not sure what he’s seeing on this play, but this was a terrible throw. pic.twitter.com/M2BxdYgTMr
— Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) December 18, 2023
SHORT SHOTS GET YOU NOTHING
The offense tried to counter with some quick passes to receivers, backs, and tight ends, but nothing was working. The Bills tackled well, the Cowboys couldn’t gain any yards after contact, and they just looked out of sorts all afternoon. A possession late in the third quarter describes the Cowboys’ offense in a nutshell on this day.
When you can’t throw the ball down the field, this is what your offense reduces to. Back-to-back dink and dunks getting almost nothing setting up a 3rd and long sack. This 3-and-out sequence was the epitome of the Cowboys offense on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/pogZNZTXfq
— Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) December 18, 2023
QUESTIONABLE PLAY-CALLING
The offensive plan was terrible all day and they did very little to counter the Bills’ scheme. And even when the answer seemed simple, the Cowboys coaches had other plans. It just seemed like they could do nothing right.
I’m not sure I understand trying to take a deep shot on 3rd and 1 when your offensive line is struggling to pass protect. Backup right guard, T.J. Bass gets worked over. There has to be better choices here.
Meanwhile, the Bills kept it simple. pic.twitter.com/6WlLZCNAkg
— Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) December 18, 2023