For years, there has been a segment of Cowboys society who have been pounding the table for a more dedicated running game. With memories of Emmitt Smith dancing in their heads, establish-the-run truthers have been demanding better run-pass balance from Dallas for decades. After seeing the Philadelphia Eagles run their way to a Super Bowl title last season, the sentiment has certainly gained credibility as of late.

In Year 1 of Brian Schottenheimer, the Cowboys have taken a clear step towards a more balanced offense. One year after ranking No. 27 in rushing yards, Dallas now ranks No. 7. Javonte Williams is the NFL’s third-leading rusher and the Cowboys as a team rank No. 5 in rushing touchdowns and No. 3 in yards/attempt. The ground game is going, and Dak Prescott and the passing game have never looked better alongside it.

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Despite all the correlation before us, it’s important to point out it’s the effectiveness of the Cowboys ground game and not the stubborn dedication to the ground game that has turned things around for Dallas. Running the ball simply for the sake of running the ball is a fool’s errand. It steals opportunities from a traditionally more productive passing game, and it forces offenses into more obvious third-down situations.

Looking at the efficiency of the matter, one can see the Cowboys’ biggest turnaround in the ground game is their effectiveness.

EPA/play and success rate are two of the most optimal measurements of efficiency these days and by those metrics the Cowboys finished 2024 ranked 26th and 14th respectively. In 2025, the Cowboys just so happen to be No. 1 in EPA/rush and No. 1 in rushing success rate, making them the NFL’s most efficient rushing offense.

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The ground game is working, so it makes perfect sense to lean on it the way they have. The passing game is still producing better in yards and EPA/play, but the gap has narrowed between the two phases, and both are seen as efficient means of attack. The Cowboys’ offensive balance isn’t a win for the truthers just like it isn’t a loss for analytics. The running game is being used because, unlike last season, it’s actually working.

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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys’ run game topping charts in efficiency in 2025