Decoding The Offense - Week 3

Here we go with looking at the play calling in Week 3, the domination at Green Bay- For help on the formations, scroll to the bottom:

New Packages for week 3!

“20” = now with Felix getting more work, the Cowboys actually have a package that includes 0 Tight Ends. Which is odd, because they most likely enjoy 3 Tight End packages more than any team in the sport. Bottom line, Jason Garrett is a kid in a candy store right now trying all sorts of looks, and making the opponents’ heads spin. Anyway, they used it twice for 2 runs and 14 yards. It is odd to see no “82” on the field, but they may be trying to use him more sparingly with the shoulder.

“S21” = this also is a by-product of more Felix. This was only used once, but the longer the season rolls, the more they will be figuring out creative ways to use MB3 and El Gato on the field simultaneously.

No Deon Anderson this week, so no "23" or "31" packages. They will be back when he is...

One other quick thought is that it appears the last few weeks that they have fallen in love with "13" quite a bit on the early downs - they can do so many things with it, as Owens is out wide, Witten to one side by himself, and Bennett and Curtis on the other. I think this is a real favorite as they can run or pass, but the opposition has to put in a power defense or they will get gashed by Barber all night. "13", of course, was the formation when Felix sprung his huge run in the 2nd Quarter.

Garrett will have to make sure he just doesn't get too cute, because he has many toys in his toybox these days...

69 offensive plays against those Packers – here is the breakdown:

1st Down plays (31 = 10 different packages):

“11” – 1 (1 pass for -5 yards (sack))
“12” – 4 (1 run = 3 yards/ 3 passes for 11 yards – including the Crayton to Owens pass)
“13” – 8 (5 runs = 74 yards (Jones 60 yd TD)/3 passes = 42 yards, FD)
“20” – 2 (2 runs = 14 yards)
“21” – 9 (6 runs = 29 yards, 2 FD/ 3 passes = 66 yards FD)
“22” – 3 (3 runs = 5 yards and Fumble)
“S11” – 3 (2 runs = 4 yards/1 pass =0 yards)
“Knee” – 1

2nd Downs (23 plays – 8 looks):

“12” – 2 (1 run = 5 yards/1 pass = 0)
“13” – 4 (4 runs for 13 yards, FD)
“20” – 1 (1 pass for 0 yards, Grounding)
“21” – 5 (3 run = 21 yards, 2FD, TD, 2 pass = 29 yards, FD)
“22” – 4 (4 runs = 22 yards, 2 FD)
“S11” – 3 (2 runs = 28 yards, FD/ 1 pass = 0 yards, Grounding)
“S11H” – 1 (1 pass = sack -16 yards)
“S12” – 3 (3 pass = 12 yards, FD)

14 3rd downs for the Cowboys – 5 looks (7-14, 50%)

“22” – 3 (2 runs, 5 yards, 2 FD/ 1 pass = 0 yards) 2-3, 67%
“S11”- 5 (5 passes = 73 yards, 2FD, 52 yard TD to Austin) 3-5, 60%
“S11H” – 2 (2 passes = 22 yards, FD) 1-2, 50%
“S12” - 3 (3 passes = 7 yards, FD) 1-3, 33%
“S21” – 1 (1 passes = 0 yards) 0-1, 0%

1 4th Down (0-1)

“S11” – 1 (1 pass = 7 yards) 0-1, 0%

Regardless of Down and Distance, here are the yardage results for each personnel package:

34 runs - 35 passes

“11” – 1 (1 pass for -5 yards)
“12” – 6 (2 run = 8 yards, 4 passes for 11 yards, 2 FD)
“13” – 12 (9 runs = 87 yards, FD, TD/ 3 passes = 42 yards, FD)
“20” – 2 (2 runs = 14 yards)
“21” – 14 (9 runs = 50 yards, 4 FD, TD to Barber, 5 passes = 95 yards, 2 FD)
“22” – 10 (9 runs = 32 yards, 3 FD/ 1 pass = 0)
“S11” – 12 (4 run = 32 yards, FD, 8 pass = 80 yards, 2 FD, TD to Austin)
“S11H” – 3 (3 pass = 6 yards, FD
“S12” – 6 (6 passes = 19 yards, 2 FD)
“S21” – 1 (1 pass)
Knee - 1

Personnel Packages Defined

“11” = 1 running back and 1 TE
“12” = 1 running back and 2 TE
“13” = 1 running back and 3 TE
“21” = 2 running backs and 1 TE
“22” = 2 RB and 2 TE
“23” = 2 RB and 3 TE
“11H” = 1 RB and 1 TE, but Witten is playing the “H” of “F” back – which means he is lined up where a FB might normally be deployed.
“12H” = 1 RB and 2 TE, with Witten playing “H”.
“S11” = Romo in Shotgun, 1 RB, 1 TE
“S11H” = Shotgun, 1 RB, 1 TE, Witten playing “H”.
“S12” = Shotgun, 1 RB, 2 TE
“S21” = Shotgun, 2RB, 1TE
“31” = 3 RB’s and 1 TE. Jones, Barber, and Anderson.
“S01” = Shotgun, 0 RB, 1 TE, 4 WR –