IRVING, Texas --The Cowboys ranked 11th in total yards (375.5 avg) but 15th in points per game (23.1) this season.
The red zone is a big reason for the discrepancy, and that's an area head coach Jason Garrett will circle for improvement this offseason.
The Cowboys' red zone touchdown efficiency dropped from 59.6 percent in 2010 (ranked 9th) to 49.0 percent in 2011 (ranked 20th). What changed?
Well, the Cowboys only had five rushing touchdowns this season -- the lowest total in franchise history -- including only four from running backs. It's much harder to throw inside the 20 because teams can zone you and keep the ball in front of them.
From a passing standpoint, though, here's another argument for making Laurent Robinson a top free agent priority: Seven of Robinson's team-high 11 touchdown catches came in the red zone. Whether or not it was due to defenses taking others away, Robinson easily became Tony Romo's best target down there.
