Cowboys red zone offense hampering team's SB aspirations

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys red zone offense hampering team's Super Bowl aspirations

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 9/25/23

The Dallas Cowboys red zone offense clearly hinders the team's potential, as it went 1-for-5 in Sunday's shocking 28-16 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

"You look at this loss, we moved the ball up and down the field and just couldn't score," Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott said in a postgame news conference. "So that's your reason for this loss."

The red-zone woes aren't a one-time occurrence, either. Through three games, the Cowboys have converted 6-of-15 attempts (40%), tied for 27th in the NFL. Last season, they ranked first in this category, converting on 40-of-56 red zone drives (71.4%).

Some of the struggles are tied to baffling play calling.

"Dallas, inexplicably, called run after run near the goal line Sunday, bleeding the clock while down two touchdowns before Dak Prescott delivered his first interception of the season to seal the upset for winless Arizona," wrote Tim Cowlishaw of The Dallas Morning News.

TURN US ALL THE WAY UP!!!!!@KyzirWhite8 x #BirdGang pic.twitter.com/DzFYDPqoWv
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) September 24, 2023

While Prescott's 65.5 QBR is 10th in the NFL, he's floundering in the red zone. Per ESPN's Todd Archer, the 30-year-old has completed 11-of-24 passes and has not thrown a TD to a wide receiver in the red zone. He conceded his execution must improve.

"We've got to do better," Prescott said. "Starts with me. Making some throws and making some plays with my feet and trying to get it done."

Regardless, the Cowboys must find answers soon. Red zone offense is imperative for teams with championship aspirations. Two of the last three Super Bowl winners finished seventh or better in red zone percentage.

More must-reads: