Decoding Schotty Wk 8 - Know Your Situation
Sometimes it is up to the head coach to recognize and react to the realities of the defense.
Tuesdays – since about 2008 – have been my day to evaluate the offense in this space. We have called it “Decoding” over those years and then the name behind the decoding is the man with the play-sheet calling the plays and hopefully putting them in an order to attack that week’s opponent. This is where we try to figure out the tactical and strategic plot-lines of the game and get a feel for how well it worked out for that side of the ball. For those of you new here, two things: 1) ask questions of anything you don’t quite understand and 2) be aware that we do defense on Wednesdays.
Here we go. Our objectives for today:
Schottenheimer, the architect of this whole offense, needs to do better.
How the offense played fine – that won’t cut it.
With no explosives, this group will have no chance.
Dak Prescott forced throws and played his worst game of ‘25
Checking in on Jaydon Blue.
Look at plenty of All-22 film and see what we can see.
OVERALL OFFENSIVE EVALUATION
The Cowboys ran into a team that was just too good on both sides of the ball on Sunday. We don’t know where Denver will finish in the AFC – but I am willing to bet it is in the playoffs – but, we do know that teams that are both above-average on offense and defense will probably be a lot of trouble for a one-sided football team like the Cowboys.
As the football philosopher Meek Mill once said, “there are levels to this.” And the Cowboys will have a hard time winning road games against teams that are up a level in 2025. It is just the reality of this league.
But, that doesn’t mean the above-average side of the field should just gesture at the below-average side of the field and not worry about things. The offense must do what it needs to do. That is why this week’s review is going to be a bit about how this offense thinks of itself and then we will get into what they didn’t do well enough.
And yes, we should start at the start.
Schottenheimer, the offensive architect, needs to do better.
We have been incredibly complimentary of this man because he has deserved it. Barely a false move throughout most of his first campaign and his approval rating is impressively high for a Cowboys coach of a middling team.
But, it is time for the offensive architect to acknowledge his defense in a way that goes beyond the complimentary optimism of a press conference. Yes, you will support your defensive staff and personnel publicly. Yes, you are the head coach and therefore this is ultimately your defense and your purview.
However, once you do provide them some cover publicly, you have to alter how you think about your offensive strategies. This is what complimentary football looks like.
We always talk about each side complimenting the other side when you have a great defense and a lousy offense. We all know that punts are good and create long fields and so forth.
But, what do we do when the defense can’t get stops? How do we help them as an offense?