Decoding the Offense: Game 13 At Pittsburgh

I have to believe this is the most shocking post of the month. As we hit Jan 29th, I have finally gained enough life-force to ponder the Cowboys December. So, you will randomly find the offensive breakdown of the final 4 Cowboys games here sometime in the near future. Here is Game 13 – the disaster at Pittsburgh.

As I look at this garbage, a few things jump out at me – and I think they are related:

• The Cowboys shotgun package sucked
• The Cowboys 3rd down package sucked (3 for 14)
• The Cowboys 3rd down package is their shotgun package

And don’t think for a second that this is where Romo/ Owens/ Williams/ Garrett/ Witten/ Crayton and the gang all had their little disconnect.

As I look at the other games in December, it doesn’t get better.

65 Offensive plays – (27 runs/38 passes) Here is how we break it down:

1st Down plays (28 = 5 different packages – 15 runs/ 13 passes)

“12” – 12 (7 runs for 14 yards/5 passes for 17 yards, FD, INT)
“21” – 5 (4 runs for 16 yards, FD/1 passes for 0 yards)
“22” – 2 (2 runs for 3 yards)

Shotgun

“S11” – 8 (2 runs for 12 yards, FD/ 6 passes for 57 yards, 3 FD)
“S12” – 1 (1 pass for 11 yards, FD)

2nd Downs (20 plays – 7 looks – 7 runs/13 passes):

“12” – 7 (3 runs for 65 yards, 2 FD /4 pass for 13 yards, FD, SACK)
“21” – 3 (1 runs for 2 yards, 2 passes for 0 yards)
“22” – 1 (1 pass for 3 yards)
“12H” – 1 (1 pass for 0 yards)
Shotgun

“S11” – 6 (3 run for 10 yard, FD/ 3 passes for 0 yards, INT)
“S12” – 1 (1 pass for 12 yards, TD to Owens)
“S02” – 1 (1 pass for 6 yards)

14 3rd downs for the Cowboys – 3 looks (4 runs/10 passes) (3 for 14, 21%)

Shotgun

“S02” – 1 (1 run for 1 yard) 0-1
“S11” – 12 (3 run for 25 yards/ 9 passes for 14 yards, 2 Sacks, INT) 3 for 12
“S11H” – 1 (1 pass for 9 yards) 0-1

3 4th Downs – 3 looks (1 runs/2 passes)
“22” – 1 (1 run for 0 yards)
Shotgun
“S02” – 1 (1 pass for 0 yards)
“S11” – 1 (1 pass for 0 yards)


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

27 runs - 38 passes

UNDER CENTER (32 – 18 runs/14 passes)

“12” – 19 (10 runs for 79 yards, 2 FD/ 9 passes for 30 yards, 2FD, INT, SACK)
“21” – 8 (5 runs for 18 yards/ 3 passes for 0 yards)
“22” – 4 (3 runs for 3 yards, 1 pass for 3 yards)
“12H” – 1 (1 passes for 0 yards)

SHOTGUN (33 – 9 runs/24 passes)

“S11” – 27 (8 runs for 47 yards/ 19 passes for 71 yards, 2 INTs, 2 Sacks)
“S12” – 2 (2 pass for 23 yards, TD to Owens)
“S02” – 3 (1 run for 1 yards, 2 pass for 6 yards)
“S11H” – 1 (1 pass for 9 yards)