Decoding the Offense - Week 4

I realize it is not good form to quote yourself, but…from last week’s break down …

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

Alas. He got too cute. You will be amazed by some of the numbers below, and the few that jump of the page at me are the following:

After gashing the Green Bay Packers 20 times for over 130 yards in power running situations (2 or 3 Tight Ends), the Cowboys tried to run power plays just 3 times on Sunday against Washington.

Also, the other stat of amazing proportions was the fact that they went shotgun 36 times and passed out of it 35 times. The one run? A Romo scramble! Yes, a 36th pass play.

Finally, they threw 11 of the 12 times they had a 3rd down. The one time they ran? Terrell Owens was playing HB.

Marion Barber must be bitter this week…

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Another new personnel look for week 4 – we are now up to 15 different looks.

“S12w” = This is not really a new personnel look, but since it was a radically new formation to get on film, I wanted to give it a little attention. Basically, the Cowboys are obsessed with something fresh and new every week. Well, this one did not produce like some of the others have. It is Curtis and Witten both lined up as “H” or “F” backs in front of Barber and behind Romo when Romo is under center. Many times, Witten would motion out before the snap.

They debuted it on Sunday and ran it 8 times. 3 runs for 19 yards and 5 passes for 1measley yard. Don’t be shocked if they go back to the drawing board with that one. Why that got 8 snaps, and the “13” package that dominated in Week 3 only had 1 snap is beyond all reasonable comprehension.

58 Offensive plays in the loss to the Redskins: Here is how we break it down:

1st Down plays (28 = 10 different packages – 3 runs/25 passes):

“11H” – 2 (2 passes for 0 yards, INT)
“12” – 2 (2 passes for 18 yards, FD)
“12w” – 3 (1 run for 15 yards, FD/ 2 passes for 0 yards)
“13” – 1 (1 pass for 5 yards)
“20” – 1 (1 pass for 0 yards)
“21” – 4 (2 runs = 4 yards, 2 passes = 29 yards, including 21 yard TD pass to Witten)

Shotgun looks
“S01” -1 (1 pass to Austin for 13 yards, FD)
“S11” – 10 (10 passes for 87 yards, 3 FD, and TD to Austin)
“S12” – 3 (3 passes for 10 yards, including 10 yard TD pass to Owens)
“S21” – 1 (1 pass for 9 yards)

2nd Downs (18 plays – 4 looks):

“21” – 5 (4 runs for 8 yards/ 1 pass for 12 yards, FD)
“12w” – 5 (2 runs for 4 yards, FD/3 passes for 1 yard)
“S11” – 7 (7 passes for 44 yards, 2 FD )
“S21” – 1 (1 pass = 11 yards, FD)

12 3rd downs for the Cowboys – 3 looks (6-12, 50%)

“11” – 1 (1 run – Owens for 5 yards, FD) 1-1, 100%
“S11”- 10 (1 run for 7 yards, FD, 9 passes = 54 yards, 4 FD) 5-10, 50%
“S21” – 1 (1 passes = 0 yards) 0-1, 0%


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

11 runs - 47 passes

UNDER CENTER 22 times (10 runs/12 passes)

“11” – 1 (1 run for 5 yards)
“12” – 2 (2 passes for 18 yards, FD)
“12w” – 8 (3 run for 19 yards, 2 FD/ 5 passes for 1 yards)
“13” – 1 (1 pass for 5 yards)
“20” – 1 (1 pass for 0 yards)
“21” – 9 (6 runs = 12 yards, 3 passes = 41 yards, FD, including 21 yard TD pass to Witten)

SHOTGUN 36 times (1 run/35 passes)
“S01” -1 (1 pass to Austin for 13 yards, FD)
“S11” – 27 (1 run for 7 yards, FD, 26 passes for 185 yards, 9 FD, and TD to Austin)
“S12” – 3 (3 passes for 10 yards, including 10 yard TD pass to Owens)
“S21” – 3 (3 passes for 20 yards, FD)

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Personnel Packages Defined

“11” = 1 running back and 1 TE
“12” = 1 running back and 2 TE
“12w” = same as 12, just with both TE’s in the backfield in front of Barber
“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 –