The Dallas Cowboys might have lost their Week 1 game to the Philadelphia Eagles, but most fans felt better about the team after a close match against the defending champions than before kickoff. That feeling came because of how many areas the Cowboys played well against such a talented opponent. The team scored on every first-half drive, shut down the top two receivers on Philadelphia, and held Saquon Barkley to 3.3 yards per attempt.
Now, the Cowboys have their home opener against division rival New York Giants in Week 2, and here are some positives the club needs to carry over from last week in order to notch their first win and to avoid an upset.
Keep the penalties under control
During the Mike McCarthy era, Dallas was one of the most penalized teams in the league. Every press conference, McCarthy would talk about how the penalties hurt them, and then the next game, it wouldn’t change. The team was in the bottom five with 7.53 penalties per game.
In Week 1, Dallas only had four penalties, and only one was pre-snap. Dallas allowed zero first downs from penalties, while the Eagles allowed six. The George Pickens personal foul penalty should be addressed, but overall, they were tied for the second-fewest penalties across the league, and they need to maintain that throughout the season.
Third-down conversion rate must remain high
The Cowboys have been a top team in third-down conversions in most seasons that Dak Prescott has been healthy. Last year, Dallas was 23rd in the league, converting only 37% of third downs, but the team played almost half the season with backup quarterback Cooper Rush. When that happens, it negatively impacts the defense by keeping them on the field longer, and with Micah Parsons gone, it could be even more crucial for the offense to control the ball.
Dallas was first in the NFL in third-down conversion rate after Week 1, at 64%; one of only two teams with a percentage over 60%. Last season, the league leader in conversion rate was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, at 51%. It might be too much to ask for a 60% conversion rate, but staying above 50% would help wear down the Giants’ defense and keep Dallas’ off the field.
Keep the production from the running game
The Giants have a ferocious pass rush rotation and the best one-technique in the NFL in Dexter Lawrence, so controlling that pass rush with an excellent rushing attack could be key for Dallas. Last season, Rico Dowdle was in the top half of the league with 4.6 yards per attempt, but that overall stat was brought down by the other running backs who received touches.
A bigger issue might have been the fact the entire team couldn’t score rushing touchdowns.
In Week 1, the Cowboys got off to a very strong start. They ran for 5.4 yards per carry, sixth in the NFL. The team also had two rushing touchdowns from Javonte Williams, who had the highest success rate of any NFL back Week 1. They also had an explosive play over 40 yards from Miles Sanders. Considering the team’s explosive back, Jaydon Blue, didn’t see the field, the run game for the Cowboys was excellent, and that needs to continue against New York.
You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or on YouTube at Across the Cowboys podcast
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: 3 positive trends Cowboys must carry over vs Giants in Week 2 include laundry-free game
Reporting by Mike Crum, Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
