Why doesn't the offense use more RPOs and have more running plays for Dak Prescott? Don't you think that, as good a player as he is when he's on the run, the Cowboys should do it more often? – Alvin Walker/Richmond, VA
Nick: Yes, they definitely miss that and need it. I'm not sure Dak was ever so great at running where he was considered a weapon, but the difference now is the actual running game with the backs have not been a threat to the defense at all. Before, Dak running the ball was a nice addition. But now, it's needed for two reasons. One, it's just another element for the offense to keep the team balanced and the defense always guessing. Secondly, and somewhat on the same line, the RPO stuff doesn't work well if the quarterback isn't keeping the ball now and then making plays. If Dak is going to hurt them on the edge, why does the edge rusher need to "stay home" at all. That just gives the running backs even less room to operate. History shows when Dak gets just 30 rushing yards in a game, the Cowboys are 15-5. And in the 27 games in which he's scored a rushing touchdown, the Cowboys are 22-5. So it seems like it's better for the team when he's at least running the ball some and making the defense honest.
Kurt: Through Dak Prescott's first four seasons in the NFL, he had 241 carries (including scrambles) for a total of 1,221 rushing yards, averaging 60.3 carries and 305.3 yards per season. But then came his brutal ankle injury in 2020 that limited him to only five games. Over the following three seasons, 2021-23, he rushed 148 times for 570 yards, averages of 49.3 and 190. And now Prescott is on pace to finish this 2024 campaign with 25.5 carries for 70.8 yards, easily career lows. You can chock some of that dramatic drop-off up to the Cowboys just being so far behind in their three losses. They more or less had to abandon any semblance of a run game. But Prescott is also just choosing not to run as much. According to Pro Football Reference, the Cowboys have gone with an RPO play 22 times so far this season with Prescott only running the ball once for no gain. Still, going heavy on RPOs is not mandatory for success. Consider that of the top-10 offenses this year in RPO plays, only four also rank among the top 10 in total yards while just three are in the top 10 for points. And included among those in the bottom 10 for RPOs are Detroit, San Francisco, Buffalo and Minnesota. Not bad company. So yes, while making Prescott a bigger running threat in the game plan would be nice, given his past injury and perhaps his age that doesn't seem likely to happen. But it also shouldn't be the main excuse for this team's struggles on that side of the ball.
