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Dallas Cowboys’ Loss to Ravens Contextualized by NFL Next Gen Stats
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Dallas Cowboys’ Loss to Ravens Contextualized by NFL Next Gen Stats

The Dallas Cowboys didn’t stand a chance against the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore played like the better and, let’s be honest, hungrier team. They stormed into AT&T Stadium and even if they made it a little tough at the end, they had a nice flight home.

We know the game was bad because we (unfortunately) watched it, but what can deeper data tell us? The folks over at NFL Next Gen Stats are incredible and have some information that will make you pretty sad.

Let’s get started.

Derrick Henry had a day against the team that didn’t want him

It was reported during the offseason that the Cowboys hadn’t even called Derrick Henry regarding his free agency. Henry had 174 total yards and two touchdowns against the team he passed and was his usual tough-to-stop self.

All told, Henry forced 12 missed tackles against the Cowboys defense, the second-most by any player in a game this season (this information is based on the start of Sunday night’s game, for the sake of context).

Ultimately, the Cowboys defense allowed 158 yards against the Ravens, which were specifically the result of missed tackles. That’s the most any defense in the NFL has allowed in that capacity in a game prior to Sunday night so far this season.

Lamar Jackson didn’t have to do much to have a day

Reigning MVP Lamar Jackson didn’t have to worry too much as a passer against the Cowboys, because he was able to dump stuff off so easily. That may sound like an indictment of Jackson, but it’s actually a testament to his great decision-making and the Ravens’ ability to get open.

Jackson averaged 3.2 air yards per attempt against the Cowboys, which, astonishingly, is the lowest mark in a game of his entire career.

His only pass of more than 10 yards was the 13-yard scoring pass to Rashod Bateman.

Mike McCarthy needs to design a more creative attack

This is also a criticism of Dak Prescott for what it’s worth. But it’s clear that the offensive design Dallas is pushing doesn’t intimidate or fool anyone.

On Sunday against the Ravens, Prescott made 35.3 percent of his attempts in a tight window. It was Prescott’s highest percentage in a game since Week 4 of 2018 (Dallas narrowly defeated the Detroit Lions that day), and if you recall, that was the infamous “wide receiver by committee” season.

On those throws, Prescott was specifically 5 for 18 for 66 yards with a -7% completion percentage above expectations. That, if it isn’t obvious, is pretty bad.

Dak needs to make better decisions, but there are multiple things that could be true. It’s clear that the Cowboys don’t have enough playmakers who can get enough spacing to make the issue count. Plus, as noted, Mike McCarthy doesn’t really come up with anything to open anyone up.

These are issues that will continue to plague the Cowboys if they aren’t fixed immediately. They’re only 1-2, so there’s nothing unfixable (those 2018 Cowboys fell all the way to 3-5 and won the NFC East before advancing to the Divisional Round), but the situation is pretty intense. We’re somewhere around DEFCON 2.