O-Line Continues To Under Perform
Once a strength, the Cowboys offensive line has become a liability down the stretch in 2023.
A revered unit since the arrival of left tackle Tyron Smith in 2011, the big boys up front have regressed, despite a unit that has two future Hall of Famers, a recent first round pick, a third-round pick and an undrafted free agent that has already been paid like a pro bowler.
Add to that a group of promising young tight ends and this unit should be dominating opponents.
But that’s far from the case lately.
Instead, they are getting abused, racking up penalties, sacks, quarterback hurries and hits, while leading a running attack that has become ineffective.
Even with a new offensive scheme that puts a premium on getting the ball out of the quarterback’s hands quickly, the Cowboys have still given up 37 sacks this season – including 14 in the last four weeks.
In 536 pass plays this season, the Cowboys offensive line has given up 160 quarterback pressures – 85 quarterback hurries, 38 quarterback hits and those 37 sacks.
And they have all played a part in it.
Starting right tackle Terence Steele, that undrafted free agent they back up the Brinks truck for, has given up 49 quarterback pressures – 32 quarterback hurries, 10 quarterback hits and seven sacks, this season.
Tyler Biadasz, the third rounder who has started 14 of the last 15 games at center, has allowed 24 quarterback pressures – 17 hurries, four hits and three sacks.
Right guard, and future Hall of Famer, Zack Martin has allowed 22 quarterback pressures – 11 hurries, seven hits and four sacks, in his 14 starts this season.
Left guard, and recent first round pick, Tyler Smith has allowed 17 quarterback pressures – 14 hurries, two hits and one sacks, while playing in 13 games this season.
That just leaves left tackle Tyron Smith. The other future Hall of Famer on the Cowboys offensive line, Smith’s problem is that he can’t stay healthy.
After playing all but one game in his first five seasons, Smith has missed at least three games in every season since 2016, and he hasn’t played in more than 11 games since 2019.
This season, he has played 11 games, but missed Sunday with an injury that popped up mid-week. And when Smith can’t play, the Cowboys have been forced to use Chuma Edoga (247 pass plays, 16 QB pressures, three sacks), Asim Richards (12 pass plays, one QB pressures, no sacks) – their third and fourth choices this season behind Matt Waletzko and Josh Ball, both of whom have spent more time in the trainer’s room than on the field.
In the four games that Tyron Smith has missed, the Cowboys lost three of them, while giving up 12 sacks and 26 quarterback hurries.
Smith, an eight-time pro bowler and two-time All-Pro, is obviously the lynch pin to this offense. No matter how accurate quarterback Dak Prescott throws the ball, or how hard running back Tony Pollard hits the hole, or how perfect wide receiver CeeDee Lamb runs his route, if the offensive line doesn’t do their job, then it doesn’t matter.
With two games left in the regular season, one thing is for sure heading into the playoffs – the Cowboys will go only as far as their offensive line can take them.
And if their recent play is any indication, then it will be a quick postseason.