The Cowboys have no shortage of problems in 2024. From her 24th^Th Offensive ranked 30th^Th Rank defense, their problems on the offensive line to the disaster that is their DL. From their lame coaching staff to their problematically talkative owner, they have problems at every turn of this hexagon of doom.

The running game in particular was an issue in Dallas. Not only did the offensive line struggle to execute blocks and move runners to the second level, but the runners themselves also lacked access to the open field in 2024.

While the Cowboys' passing game does its best to drive the offense and create big plays, the running game isn't remotely capable of carrying its weight. In fact, based on the standardized measurement of 15+ yards, the running game has yet to record a single explosive play in 2024.

The Cowboys are last in the NFL in explosive run rate. This requires a team effort: O-line, RB, playmaking. It's amazing that the passing offense has a top-five explosion rate given the circumstances. pic.twitter.com/ByaM1iBsOF

– Reid D. Hanson (@ReidDHanson) October 22, 2024

Even considering the play type, which specifies an explosive pass as a distance of 20 yards or more and an explosive run as a distance of 10 yards or more, things don't look much better.

Aside from the scrambles and runs with CeeDee Lamb, Deuce Vaughn and Rico Dowdle are the only Dallas rushers with explosive plays between 10 and 15 yards this season. Vaughn has not been active since September. So unless someone joins at the trade deadline, the responsibility lies entirely with Dowdle.

Explosive play rates through week 7 pic.twitter.com/itqi0bS2zE

– Football Insights 📊 (@fball_insights) October 22, 2024

Based on the names circulating in the rumor mill, it's doubtful that anyone available at the trade deadline will be the answer. This issue will likely require an internal solution and will require a comprehensive team effort.

The Cowboys have the tools on offense to be a good run-blocking team. Even if two-thirds are rookies, the talent and pedigree are there to have more success than what's currently happening in Dallas.

Movement at the snap is something that is constantly discussed this season, but for good reason. MotiPower on when snapped normally works. It changes the angles of the blocks, changes the running pass of the defenders and spreads the defense horizontally. It won't always work, but it should come as no surprise that many of the best rushing teams in the NFL regularly use movement at the snap.

Better downfield success in the passing game would also help the running game with explosive plays. If Dak Prescott can pull more defenders into coverage, the Cowboys running backs could see easier boxes and better explosive opportunities. But the passing offense was unusually inefficient, ranking just 23rd^approx in EPA/Dropback.

Without a new receiver on the field, it's hard to imagine anything changing on its own.

More spread formations can help achieve the same goal of spreading defenses without requiring downfield success. More WR-rich personnel groups or splitting up the tight end group could draw players out of the box. Dowdle averages 6.7 defenders in the box and Elliott 6.29. Neither number is particularly high, but if certain lineups and formations can lower that number even further, the Cowboys coaching staff owes it to them.

The Cowboys need to find a way to solve their explosive play problem on offense, and that will likely be a total team effort.

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