Cashing In: Cowboys turning red-zone opportunities into touchdowns in 2021
NFL teams get their points wherever they can however once a team enters the red zone, it is extremely important to score touchdowns at a much higher rate than settling for field goals.
The Dallas Cowboys suffered a tough, 31-29 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1 which could have been a win had they not gone one-for-four in the red zone. Dallas had three red-zone trips just in the second quarter alone but only produced nine points, and not taking advantage of those kinds of opportunities will get a team beat more often than not in the NFL. However, during the Cowboys’ three-game winning streak, they have been excellent scoring touchdowns inside the 20.
In Week 2 the Cowboys ventured out west to take on the Los Angeles Chargers. Although both teams are loaded with offensive talent, it was a low-scoring affair that featured three total turnovers. Dallas had limited opportunities in the red zone with just three. However, their two-headed monster at running back of Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard cashed in two red-zone touchdowns out of their three chances.
A week later, the Cowboys hosted the rival Philadelphia Eagles in Arlington. The game itself was over almost as soon as it started. Dallas used Elliott and Pollard combined 155 yards rushing and Dak Prescott’s precision passing to march up and down the field all game long. In five red zone trips, the Cowboys scored four touchdowns and routed the Eagles, 41-21.
The Week 4 game against the Carolina Panthers was looked at as a major test for the Cowboys’ offense going up against the NFL’s top-ranked defense. They passed with flying colors by putting up 433 yards of offense. It was fueled 245 rushing yards between Elliott, Pollard, and Prescott. In the red zone, the Cowboys were a perfect three out of three and built a commanding 36-14 lead before holding on 36-28.
That’s means that over their last 12 quarters of action the Cowboys’ offense has scored nine touchdowns in 11 trips (81.8%) inside the 20. For the season, they have scored touchdowns on 10 out of 15 red zone drives. Anytime a team can get seven points on two out of every three red zone visits you will score a lot of points, and the Cowboys are currently averaging 31.5 points per game.
The Cowboys wrap up their early-season three-game homestand with the New York Giants who are coming off of an overtime win against the New Orleans Saints. So far in 2021, the Giants defense has allowed 10 touchdowns in 14 red zone chances (71.4%) so this will be another opportunity for the Cowboys to keep being efficient where it matters.
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