Stars drive success in the NFL.
But sometimes, a team can forge its identity when its top players aren’t available.
That’s the unenviable position the Dallas Cowboys find themselves in as they head to Pittsburgh. No Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence on defense. No Brandin Cooks on offense. Three of the next four games on the road.
This is a crucial part of the schedule. If this team is to keep its head above water it will have to do so without several key players.
“An opportunity to show the depth of this team, what we’re made of,” quarterback Dak Prescott said. “When your number is called, jump in. Show that you belong here. Show that you prepare the right way.”
It’s happened before. Two years ago, Prescott missed five consecutive games early in the season. Cooper Rush came in and led the team to a 4-1 record.
The identity of that team was formed, one that was enhanced once Prescott returned.
“2-2 is not acceptable for us," Prescott said of the team’s record. “It’s about finding a way to win, starting this Sunday, and moving forward one game at a time."
Creative spark
Dallas ran just 51 offensive plays in its victory over New York.
That’s nearly 11 plays less than the Cowboys’ average and 19 fewer plays than they had three days earlier against Baltimore.
That number needs to jump up into the mid-60s against Pittsburgh.
“Any time your volume goes down, it’s clearly the responsibility of the coaching staff to have more creativity,” head coach Mike McCarthy said. “Less volume, more creativity is something that I’ve always lived by as a coaching principle.”
This isn’t about loading up on trick plays or throwing something at the Steelers defense they weren’t expecting. It has more to do with play selection and sequencing.
“Creativity in our process really starts back in February and March," McCarthy said. “You have scheme evaluation and then you have the scheme evolution. We don’t dust off the game plans and the install sheets and just change the date on it.
“It’s about players. It’s not about plays."
Diminishing returns
CeeDee Lamb is the most explosive player on the Cowboys.
In the first half.
The Pro Bowl receiver hasn’t had more than one reception or reached double-digits in receiving yards in the second half of any game this season.
Part of the problem is third-down conversions. Dallas was just 3 of 10 in the win over the Giants.
“We’ve got to convert third down, give us more shots at the plays we’ve talked about before," Prescott said. “He’ll get more touches. All the guys will."
Lamb has just three receptions for a total of 16 yards in the second half of the first four games.
“Granted, the second half hasn’t gone well for me," Lamb said. “I’m sure it’s on paper and a lot of people are paying attention to it.
“But staying involved, staying in tune, and pretty much staying on top of anything I’ve got to do to contribute to this win and contribute to moving the ball. We’ll figure it out."
Holding down the fort
Once Parsons and Lawrence learned they would miss time, each player made it a point to talk to one teammate.
Rookie defensive end Marshawn Kneeland. What did they say?
“Just them telling me I’ve got to hold it down now until they come back," the second-round pick said.
Kneeland has yet to get a sack this season, but he’s fourth on the team in quarterback pressures with six. He’s played a little more than 40% of the team’s defensive snaps, a percentage that will undoubtedly increase during the absences of Parsons and Lawrence.
His motor is constantly running and his play strength is good for a rookie at the position.
“I feel like my strength holds up," Kneeland said. “I feel like I do a good job when I get one-on-one blocks, feel like it’s not too much different for me.
“We know we’ve go to step up for our boys. Seeing them go down, obviously, none of us wanted that to happen. We all just have to come together and play for each other."
Holding on
Tyler Guyton hasn’t played poorly. The first-round pick is holding his own at left tackle.
But he’s also holding. Guyton’s been called for holding three times this season, twice in the win over New York. Two other holding calls either haven’t been accepted or were neutralized by an offsetting penalty.
“I mean, breaking the tape back down, figuring out what I need to do better," Guyton said. “It’s on me at the end of the day. If my hands were better, I wouldn’t have gotten called for a flag.
“It’s going back to the drawing board and figuring out what I need to do to make myself a better player."
Guyton has also been hit with a false-start penalty and an illegal block above the waist. His five penalties accepted is tied for the third-highest total in the league through four games.
How does he balance the need to get better and not beat himself up over the penalties?
“I don’t really have a balance," Guyton said. “I’m aiming for perfection.
“I think it’s all on me. I’ve just got to get better."
Picking up the slack
The Cowboys lose their top two playmakers in the front seven without Parsons and Lawrence. Who can help pick up the slack?
Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown is a strong candidate with his speed and skill set.
“He’s going to keep growing and keep getting better and better," Parsons said. “Last game he was flying around.
“He’s special, man. The sky is the limit for him. He kind of went through my trials and tribulations early, seeing everything, trying to diagnose everything. But as he said, the game is slowing down for him and you can see it.
“He’s just going to keep getting better and better and you’re going to see that, too."
Catch David Moore and Robert Wilonsky as they co-host Intentional Grounding on The Ticket (KTCK-AM 1310 and 96.7 FM) every Wednesday from 7-8 p.m. through the Super Bowl.
Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
