The Dallas Cowboys do not need to abandon the run, but their next two matchups present a stronger case for putting the ball in the hands of wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens more often. With Tampa Bay depleted and Green Bay facing questions in its secondary, the offense has an opportunity to lean harder into its most explosive pairing without turning Dak Prescott into a 70-attempt quarterback.
Locked On Cowboys host Marcus Mosher argued that Dallas is already passing at a high rate, averaging 38 attempts per game through four weeks, but he questioned whether the distribution should change in higher-leverage moments. Pickens had only three targets against Houston on Sunday, while designed looks went to tight ends Jake Ferguson and Brevyn Spann-Ford on a late drive.
Mosher said Dallas should consider leaning on its stars rather than complementary options when it needs to finish a possession. Lamb has supplied the offense’s most consistent production, and Pickens gives Prescott another matchup-winning target when defenses devote extra attention to Lamb. The hosts did not argue for a pass-only plan; they argued for more intentional opportunities for the receivers who can change the game.
Locked On Cowboys co-host Landon McCool said the run game still matters because it can force defenses to commit resources and create room for Prescott to throw. He also noted that extra rushing snaps give an offensive line a needed change from repeatedly pass blocking against top edge rushers. Dallas used that formula effectively against the Texans, according to McCool, running enough early to help open the passing game.
The next test is whether head coach Brian Schottenheimer can preserve that balance while becoming more aggressive with the personnel advantage. Tampa Bay has lost quarterback Baker Mayfield and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. to injuries, and Mosher pointed to Green Bay’s cornerback concerns as another opening for Lamb and Pickens. A fast start would let Dallas avoid the late-game strain that has followed its recent close contests and give the club a cleaner path into its difficult road stretch.
Dallas does not need Prescott to throw more simply for the sake of volume. It needs its highest-value targets involved when the game calls for an answer. The coming games against Tampa Bay and Green Bay should show whether the Cowboys are ready to make that distinction.
Cowboys News and Notes
– The run game has been more productive from shotgun than under center, the hosts said. Dallas has averaged 4.5 yards per carry with a 54% success rate from shotgun, compared with 3.54 yards and a 48% success rate under center, though goal-line attempts affect the latter sample.
– Guard Tyler Smith’s return could help the under-center rushing attack, McCool said. Smith is Dallas’ best run blocker, and his absence has made it harder for the offense to create displacement against stacked boxes.
– The hosts set a 3-2 minimum over the next five games as the benchmark for Dallas to remain in the NFC contender discussion. The stretch includes home games against Tampa Bay and Arizona, plus road trips to Green Bay, Philadelphia and Indianapolis.
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