(Editor’s Note: Time to check the mail! The DallasCowboys.com staff writers answer your questions here in ‘Mailbag’ presented by Miller Lite.)
How will the Cowboys make adjustments when we play a team with a running quarterback, like Caleb Williams this Sunday? Jalen Hurts ran for more than 60 yards and two touchdowns, and Russell Wilson averaged 7.7 yards on his scrambles. What is the plan to fix this? – Tracy Adams/Gastonia, NC
Nick: Right now, I don’t know if I’d actually call Caleb Williams a running quarterback. He wasn’t a dynamic runner last year and never got a single rushing touchdown. Now this year, he does have one score and he’s averaging a little more on the ground in two games. So maybe there’s something there to worry about.
But as far as changing the game plan to stop that, I still don’t think it’s the best thing the Bears do on offense. With both Hurts and Wilson, they ran the ball when the play broke down and that’s probably going to happen with all quarterbacks, Dak included in overtime. I think the biggest thing the Cowboys must do is contain Williams in the pocket. As much as they can rush him – do it because I feel like that’s where his inaccuracy will surface the most. Then again, that’s really all quarterbacks.
The Cowboys will dial up pressure and they must get home. If they can hurry up the time clock for Williams and force him into throws before he’s comfortable that will probably generate the best results. Sure, he might slip out of the pocket here and there but the Cowboys need to make sure Chicago’s receivers don’t hurt them down the field like the Giants did. That’s still the top priority to me.