The Dallas Cowboys’ offense has become just as hard to explain as the defense has been to watch.
Through six games, Dallas has scored 20 points or fewer three times, and the last two outings have produced only 29 points combined. That’s a losing formula every time, and the Cowboys have indeed lost each of those games.
Former Cowboys quarterback Ben DiNucci didn’t hold back after the Week 6 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Looking at the tape, he pointed to more than one problem - and effort was near the top of the list.
"You can’t turn on the Cowboys tape from last night and tell me guys on that offense are giving 100%," DiNucci said. "Lazy, no attention to details, no creativity with play calls."
That last part has been a familiar gripe for fans and analysts who’ve watched Brian Schottenheimer’s offense sputter. The play-calling has clearly left room on the table, but the bigger issue is that Dallas has enough talent to be playing better than this.
DiNucci also framed the effort concerns as something deeper than a bad night. In his view, that kind of lapse points to culture, which lands another shot across the bow for Schottenheimer.
The blitz has been another mess. Dallas has struggled to sort out pressure looks, and while play-calling is part of that, DiNucci said communication looks like a problem too.
"If I had to guess communication issues - when guys aren’t on the same page that’s normally what it is," he said of the blitz pickup. "Pass pro all 5 linemen and RB/TE HAVE to be on same page."
Dak Prescott, who has usually handled the blitz well, hasn’t been nearly as sharp this season. Yahoo Sports' Matt Harmon pointed out that Prescott is averaging just 4.83 adjusted yards per attempt, the lowest mark of his career, and his success percentage sits at 41.7.
That’s a steep drop from what Prescott has done in recent seasons. He has posted 10 adjusted yards per attempt or better in each of the last five years, including a career-best 12.44 in 2021. His previous low against the blitz came in 2020, when he put up 5.36 in five games.
The line hasn’t helped matters. According to ESPN, Dallas is down to 29th in pass-rush win rate at 43% in 2026, a sharp decline from ninth at 40% in 2025.
At this point, the diagnosis is hard to miss. The Cowboys are dealing with broken execution, uninspired play-calling and questions about effort, and none of it is working in their favor.
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