The Dallas Cowboys have been trying to find their running game for weeks now, rushing for less than 82 yards in all three of their losses going back to week nine. Factors like Ezekiel Elliott playing injured, WRs missing time, and a lack of continuity on the offensive line have all contributed to the Cowboys’ offensive woes. At least one of these things isn’t going to change on Sunday against a solid Washington defense, as Jerry Jones told 105.3 The Fan that both OTs Terrence Steele and La’el Collins expect to play.
Steele did not play against the Saints, after starting the last four games filling in for Tyron Smith at left tackle. Week eight was the last time the Cowboys had both Steele and Collins ready to play, as well as Smith at LT. The Cowboys deemed La’el Collins unready to start in his first game back from suspension, and gave this game to Steele at RT. Both Steele and Collins would start the next four games, three of which losses. The Cowboys started both Smith and Collins again in their win at the Saints last week.
In their first showing that perhaps this team was regaining its early season form, the Cowboys offensive line featured Smith, Collins, and Zack Martin for the first time since week one. OL Coach Joe Philbin has been absent from The Star as one of the Cowboys coaches impacted by last week’s COVID breakout, but should be returning to coach the best version of this line with five regular season games left to play.
Instead, the Cowboys are insisting on further shuffling and alignments, as Connor Williams and Connor McGovern also split playing time at left guard. If the Cowboys feel that neither player is their best LG, and can commit to Steele as a starting RT, it may open the door for Collins to play LG again.
The Washington Football Team’s defensive line makes it hard on opposing linemen to climb to the second level and block their linebackers – of which they often play with three in the box. The Cowboys have been running unsuccessfully out of spread formations recently, and may feel that bringing defenders down into the box with extra OL may help create big plays on the second level.
Jones alluded to this in his radio interview, saying that Steele could replace a tight end in their running formations. Starting TE Dalton Schultz has struggled as a blocker this season.
Whether or not the Cowboys actually want to settle on a “best-five” offensive line before the end of the regular season is hard to say, but they’ve at least mentioned continuity as something that was important to them. This week’s game plan appears to be taking Dallas even further from this. Giving just one player most of the snaps against teams that will decide the Cowboys’ playoff faith is likely in their best interest.
If they don’t, the Cowboys could also revisit resting Elliott and starting Tony Pollard as another way to create a spark on offense. Dak Prescott’s receivers are at full strength, with even Malik Turner and Noah Brown pushing for snaps, putting even further pressure on the OL and RB group to round out this side of the ball.
