FRISCO – The Cowboys’ running game remains the worst in the league going into a doubleheader of Monday night games.
Dallas has league-lows in rushing yards (463), touchdowns (2) and average per carry (3.5).
The bye week offered a time to figure out what’s going on. One potential fix could be a subtle scheme change.
“Scheme something simple, you don’t want to change too much,” starter Rico Dowdle said. “We had training camp and we had Week 6 of the season. So you can’t really, pretty much change everything. You definitely can make small changes to help improve it and take it in a different direction.”
Dowdle set a career-high in carries (20) and yards (87) in a victory over the Steelers two weeks ago. But in a blowout loss to the Lions the following week, he carried five times for 25 yards. On the season, Dowdle is averaging 4.2 yards per carry.
The offensive line has started two rookies, Tyler Guyton (left tackle) and Cooper Beebe (center) which has impacted the run game at times. Also, trailing in several games, particularly in blowouts, doesn’t allow for enough rushing attempts.
“Efficiency wise, I think as far as me and the run, I’ve been pretty efficient in the carries,” Dowdle said. “As a team, I’m not really sure (on the) totals but definitely room for improvement, and it seems like we want to get more. Of course, the goal is to get more. It’s about getting those opportunities.”
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