3 questions after Dallas’ blowout loss to Detroit

The Cowboys’ 47-9 whoopin’ from the Detroit Lions has rightfully created a lot of turmoil. Taken with the big losses to New Orleans and Baltimore, all of them at home, the latest blowout has called just about every level of the team into question. What were some of the key concerns coming out of Week 6?

Why did they go away from Rico Dowdle?
After a breakout game against the Steelers, Dowdle’s usage dropped again to just five carries. This was partly due to the game getting out of hand and Dallas leaning on the pass, of which Dowdle did have a decent share with five catches for 30 yards. But what’s really baffling is that Ezekiel Elliott finished the game with eight carries, and with only 17 yards to show for them.

Even on his fewer runs, Dowdle still managed to get 25 yards for a 5.0 average. Yet even when Zeke quickly showed he wasn’t going to do anything special with his touches, the Cowboys still gave him more. It’s starting to look more like politics and less like a meritocracy in the running back room.

Yes, Elliott does help as another pass blocker when teams are bringing the heat on Dak Prescott like Detroit was. But Dowdle’s no slouch in that area himself, and he’s far more of a threat to do other things if given the ball. If the bye week doesn’t lead to a switch in how Dallas distributes snaps among its RBs, then decisions are being made that aren’t about football.

What’s up with Prescott and Lamb?
We’re not so worried about the personal relationship, but more their partnership on the field. While Lamb did have 89 yards on seven catches against Detroit, it was not an efficient game as he was targeted 14 times. It does seem that something is off in the chemistry between QB1 and WR1, so it makes any heated sideline interactions or bad body language get extra attention.

Lamb’s holdout through the preseason is obviously part of this, but to still see the lack of rhythm between him and Prescott in mid-October is scary. And if it was that the Lions were doing a great job of defending Lamb, then why couldn’t Prescott do more with some of his other receiving options?

Last year we saw Prescott have no issue running the passing game through #88 as they exerted their will against most teams. They have to get back to that for this offense to do anything noteworthy, so hopefully the bye week will allow some time for emotions to cool and chemistry to be found again.

Will getting defensive stars back matter?
If Micah Parsons and DaRon Bland do return after the bye week, you have to wonder how much it’s going to change with what we’ve seen this year. Remember, Parsons played in the losses to the Saints and Ravens. He was part of the ineffectiveness, and that’s also been true over the past few years when Dallas’ run defense has been so malleable.

As long as teams can keep having their way with Dallas in the trenches, Parsons’ best traits are going to be neutered. It’s also going to make the return of DaRon Bland a moot point if opposing offenses can stay ground-focused. The real key for the Cowboys going forward is for Mazi Smith to play like he did against the Giants instead of what we’ve mostly seen, or for them to start giving more of his reps to Linval Joseph. Until they fix the middle, the outsides and edges won’t be enough.