Scout's takes: Why I love Cowboys' offense

Former NFL scout Matt Williamson writes about the league from an X's and O's perspective. Here are his weekly five observations:

Why I love the Cowboys' offense

Dak Prescott was spectacular in Week 1 (405 yards, 78.1% completion percentage) against the Giants, and seems primed for a career season. We know about his running ability and overall toughness, but he rarely gets the credit he deserves as a pure passer. 

But there's so much to like on the offense besides the quarterback. Running back Ezekiel Elliott, who recently signed a massive extension, is the foundation. He wants more work in Week 2, after carrying only 13 times following a long holdout. The line, with Travis Frederick back at center, is again among the best in the league. Wide receiver Michael Gallup (7 catches for 158 yards in Week 1) is improving rapidly, and Amari Cooper (6 catches for 106 yards) is far more comfortable in the offense.  

The addition of offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and his much-needed renovations to the Dallas offense could really bring this unit up to speed with the rest of the league from a schematic standpoint. In Week 1, Moore made excellent use of pre-snap motion and shifts. Dallas' offense could be among the most improved in the league. 

How Rams will use Todd Gurley

Coming off knee issues, Gurley looked athletic and explosive in Carolina in Week 1. But it appears Los Angeles is keeping him on a "pitch count." He only had 14 carries (for 97 yards) against the Panthers. Is that because it was Week 1 and Gurley didn’t play in the preseason? Does he need to work himself into shape? Possibly, but it's more likely Malcolm Brown, who showed a lot of juice in Week 1, is a guy the Rams want to play no matter what.

Brown played significant snaps in Week 1 and remember, before the Rams drafted Darrelle Henderson, they gave him a two-year, $3.3 million deal.  Brown is probably Gurley’s true backup and would be the lead guy if Gurley’s knee were to fail him. Meanwhile, Henderson looks to be the receiver/change-of-pace guy, but not someone in line for a heavy workload. Los Angeles probably will employ a three-headed backfield at least for the time being and maybe throughout the entire season.

Time to worry about Steelers' offense?

Perhaps. It's also possible the Steelers' poor offensive performance in New England in Week 1 will be their worst of the season. Keep this in mind: The Steelers are moving on from an execution-based offense to a scheme-based attack in which they use formation, motion, play action and play-calling to free their skill position players. 

In the past, and it has worked very well, Pittsburgh was on the low end of the spectrum in terms of being scheme-based. Pittsburgh didn’t need to “scheme things up” as much because they had great players who could get open on their own. But with Brown gone, Steelers receivers will need more help from the scheme to get open. The Patriots' domination Sunday was not a good indication that the transition is going smoothly.

JuJu Smith-Schuster, now the Steelers' No. 1 receiver, was blanketed by Stephon Gilmore, possibly the NFL’s best man coverage cornerback. I am especially interested how Smith-Schuster comes back from that disaster in Week 2 against Seattle.

Chargers will be just fine without holdout Melvin Gordon

Los Angeles is 5-0 over the past two seasons in games without Gordon in the lineup. He's a fine player with workhorse abilities, but Austin Ekeler, his replacement in Week 1, might be more explosive and is better in space. And he's much cheaper, too -- he's making $645,000 this season.

Ekeler, who totaled 154 yards rushing and receiving in Week 1 against the Colts, is an underrated runner. Because the Chargers have a poor offensive line, he's in line to catch a ton of quick-hitting and dump-off passes from Philip Rivers, who excels in that area. Ekeler also was outstanding in protection in Week 1. 

Los Angeles also is fortunate to have a solid complementary rusher in Justin Jackson. Ekeler had 18 touches to Jackson's seven in Week 1, a ratio I expect to continue.  The Chargers play a little differently without Gordon, but they still are effective. Now if they only could get that woeful offensive line fixed.

How Antonio Brown will fit with Patriots

Yes, he may have struggled in press coverage last season, but he's so strong in so many other areas that it hardly matters. New England will use him all over the formation and attack all levels of the defense -- especially the middle of the field with retired tight end Rob Gronkowski out of the picture. If getting off press coverage presents a problem for Brown, New England will often put him in motion to help free him downfield.

Areas of concern from a football standpoint? Well, New England has a complex passing game predicated on receivers always being where they are supposed to be on the field. If Brown, who is known for freelancing on routes, isn’t in his spot, that could be a problem. You can bet Tom Brady will let him know, too. Brown reportedly was late for meetings with the Steelers. That won't fly either in New England, which, let's face it, would be just fine without Brown. 

The NFL has opened an investigation into Brown, who has been accused of sexual assault but not criminally charged. He has not been placed on the commissioner's exempt list and is available to play Sunday against Miami.