FRISCO — Cowboys running back Javonte Williams finished his post-practice news conference with the media on Wednesday and took off running. In hindsight, it was probably more of a jog, but speed is relative — especially when the obstacles in the way of Williams’ path were media members instead of NFL defenders. Williams bobbed and weaved through traffic before he found the entrance back into the locker room.
Williams moved through the crowd effortlessly. If only last Sunday were that easy.
The Cowboys running game, led by the resurgence of Williams, has been one of the best in the NFL this season. There have been times where the running game looked like this post-practice moment on Wednesday — effortless. There have been times where it’s looked difficult, as well, but the Cowboys found a way to persevere. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer has preached since the day he was hired that this Cowboys team was going to run the ball — whether defenses knew or not — and that the success of the offense would be built upon that.
Against the Broncos, that was a different story. The Cowboys averaged 3.5 yards per carry as a team. Williams had two touchdowns, but even he was limited to 3.2 yards per attempt. For perspective, he averages over 5 yards per carry this season.
Cowboys
It was the second-worst running game the Cowboys have had this season. The worst came in Carolina on Oct. 12, when the Cowboys were held to 31 total rushing yards and an average of 1.6 yards per attempt.
The Cowboys believe the running game can get back to where it’s been for the majority of the season.
“Just being more consistent,” Williams said about the running game in the loss to the Broncos. “I feel like our execution was definitely lacking. It’s a lot of plays we wish we probably had back, but just starting fast this week and moving on because last week doesn’t really change anything. You can’t change it.”
But they can ensure it was an aberration for a successful rushing attack, starting on Monday against the Arizona Cardinals. Here are three ways they can do that.
All quiet?
A piece of advice for Cowboys fans before Monday’s game against Arizona. When the offense is on the field, maybe keep the noise down — at least until the ball is snapped.
Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (33) is brought down by Denver Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga (9) during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Denver.
Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer
One commonality between the poor rushing performances in Carolina and Denver was the fact that they were on the road. Denver fans, in particular, were loud. Their cheers and stomps were like a rolling Colorado thunder, enough to shake the stands and potentially shake the Cowboys’ offensive line. Presnap penalties were one thing, but missed blocks were another.
The running game, like defense, is a cohesive effort. It’s also supposed to be a collaborative one. Cowboys coaches talk all the time about combination blocks and ensuring that everyone is on the same page. Well, when it’s louder on the road, and defenses move around before the snap, it’s harder to communicate all the way down the offensive line.
Schottenheimer noted that the Cowboys missed a combination block on a play when rookie running back Jaydon Blue was hit hard by a Broncos defender and fumbled, though the Cowboys recovered.
It’s hard to put a number to communication errors, but here’s one attempt. Williams averaged 2.4 yards per attempt before contract heading into Sunday’s game against Denver, according to Pro Football Reference. Against the Broncos, he averaged 0.7 yards before contact.
“I feel like whatever it is, whatever we do at home, we’ve got to learn how to do that on the road,” Williams said. “I feel like at home, we got all the momentum and do everything right, but on the road, that’s just something that we’re missing.”
Monday’s home game against Arizona could be a good case study for it.
Help for Williams?
Speaking of Blue: There were some positive moments for the fifth-round pick. He had eight carries, which was the most in his young career. He had the team’s longest carry of the day (14 yards). He had an impressive hurdle that showed off his athleticism.
There were also some down moments, though. The fumble was the big one.
Dallas Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue (23) runs the ball and is stopped by Denver Broncos safety Brandon Jones, rear, in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Jack Dempsey / AP
“Jaydon was inconsistent in the game,” Schottenheimer said when asked about it. “He did some really good things and there were some other things that he’s got to do at a higher level.
“He can continue to play and emphasize playing more physical with and without the ball. That’s a young back learning the speed of the game and the physicality of the game. But to me, I’m always going to go back to the consistency. You can’t put the ball on the ground. You have to be on top of your blitz pickups. You have to do those things.”
The Cowboys need someone to do those things at a consistent level, especially as the season goes on.
The Cowboys didn’t necessarily plan for Williams to be a bell cow this offseason. He earned it. But as the season goes on, and Williams continues on pace for a career high in rushing attempts, it would make sense that the Cowboys need someone else to help shoulder the load. At the very least, someone to give Williams a breather.
Schottenheimer insinuated on Wednesday that there could be some competition for that duty. He pointed out veteran Malik Davis, who has been a practice squad elevation each of the last two weeks. The trade deadline is also approaching: Could the Cowboys look to trade for some extra running back help for it?
Blue remains the most likely option. Schottenheimer said he tells Blue often that he has a great example to learn from in Williams. Schottenheimer encourages Blue to lean on Williams.
The Cowboys will likely need someone for Williams to lean on, too.
Stay in the game
The Cowboys spent the majority of Sunday’s game against Denver down by at least 10 points. The longer that’s sustained, the harder it is to come back. It becomes a race against time — one that can’t be solved by staying in a normal offense.
There’s a natural adjustment when time, and the game, are slipping away amid a large deficit like the Cowboys faced on Sunday.
“We’re prepared to play, however we got to play,” Schottenheimer said on Monday. “As a play-caller, I focus in the moment, man. If it’s third-and-3, it’s third-and-3. If it’s first-and-10, it’s first-and-10. If it’s 21-3, it’s 21-3, good guys or bad guys.”
Still, it’s hard to stick with the run when the score is lopsided. Ensuring that doesn’t happen again could help ensure better running success on Monday.
Twitter: @JoeJHoyt
Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.