FRISCO — In the middle of talking about the defensive problems, coach Brian Schottenheimer discussed the issues with the running game.
Not the run defense. On offense.
The Cowboys had started the season with one of the best run games in the league, following the philosophy of Schottenheimer that he wants a team to become physical by running the ball. But in the loss to Carolina, the Cowboys gained just 31 yards, their lowest output of the season.
Related
Cowboys
It was difficult to understand on the surface, considering the Cowboys returned two starters to the offensive line from injuries in left guard Tyler Smith and left tackle Tyler Guyton.
Schottenheimer said the Panthers controlled the line of scrimmage. That can’t happen again when the Cowboys face a Washington team on Sunday at AT&T Stadium.
The Commanders’ run defense is allowing 121.7 yards per game, 20th in the league. In the last three weeks, the Commanders have given up 428 rushing yards.
“We just got to get back to the basics,” starting running back Javonte Williams said. “I feel like they played a lot more physical than we did. That’s really where it all started, physicality, communication just the small things I feel like we weren’t really good at.”
Twitter/X: @calvinwatkins
Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.