How bad is the Cowboys offense? Worst start to McCarthy’s career

FRISCO, Texas — Mike McCarthy is in his 18th season as an NFL head coach, a span of 280 games. For all but 62 of them, he was the offensive leader for the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys.

In all these years, he has never experienced anything like 2024.

The Cowboys are averaging 19.7 points, 4.9 yards per play, have converted 35.9% of their third-down opportunities and have scored touchdowns on 41.7% of their red zone trips. A quarterback guru, McCarthy’s QBs this season – Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush and Trey Lance – have a combined QBR of 43.3.

Those are all the worst marks through nine games for a McCarthy-led offense during his head coaching career.

In 2005, as coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers, his offense posted worse numbers and finished 4-12. San Francisco has started four different quarterbacks this season, including No. 1 rookie pick Alex Smith, Tim Rattay, Ken Dorsey and Cody Pickett.

On Monday against the Houston Texans, Rush will make his second straight start for the injured Prescott, who underwent season-ending hamstring surgery on Wednesday.

Has the lack of offensive success caused McCarthy to question his system?

“I believe in the process,” McCarthy said. “I know a lot of things are made up of schemes and whatnot. Your football system has to adapt to your players. You have to give these guys the opportunity. And every team is built a little differently – in what year you are, where your players are. It’s not a “We have to change (situation).”

Through nine games last season, the Cowboys averaged 29.9 points per game, partially aided by defensive scoring and special teams touchdowns (the second most in the NFL). They averaged 379.1 yards per game (fourth best). They converted 47.2% of their third downs and scored touchdowns on 20 of 39 red zone trips.

Prescott threw 17 touchdown passes – en route to an NFL-best 36 – and six interceptions. The Cowboys had nine giveaways.

After nine games this season, the Cowboys are tied for 21st in points per game. They are 21st in yards per game. They are converting 35.9% of their third downs and have scored touchdowns on 10 of 24 red zone trips.

Prescott’s season ended after eight games with the partial avulsion of his right hamstring. He has 11 touchdown passes and eight interceptions, one shy of his 2023 total. As a team, the Cowboys have already given him up 18 times (10 interceptions, eight lost fumbles).

The message from McCarthy and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer is to stay the course.

“Sometimes it feels like you’re looking for a way to motivate them, and I’m trying to be honest with these guys. “Hey, we can play more consistently than we have. “There’s been some good, but there’s been too much bad,” Schottenheimer said. “But again, this group will never point fingers. This group will never make excuses.

“They go to work, and then why? Because of the type of men we have in the locker room, the belief we have and the love we have for each other. You know, there were “Long faces in there (Monday) as we all are. But there’s no solution in this league, it’s a tough league for tough people.”

There have been improvements, albeit gradually. Over the past two games, the Cowboys have had back-to-back best rushing efforts (137 yards, 95 yards) led by Rico Dowdle (75, 53). But compared to last season, there is a drop.

Through nine games in 2023, the Cowboys have had 27 runs of 10 yards or more, compared to 17 this season. Nine have come in the last three games.

The big plays in the passing game are gone. Through the first nine games of last season, the Cowboys had 38 completions of 20 yards or more, compared to 27 in 2024.

Normally playing at home is a plus for teams, but the Cowboys have been even worse at AT&T Stadium this season.

In 45 offensive possessions in four home games, the Cowboys have scored four touchdowns. They went 24 straight possessions without a touchdown in losses to the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles. They haven’t scored a touchdown in the first or third quarter in four home games.

Including the Texans game, five of their last eight games are at AT&T Stadium (Giants, Bengals, Bucs, Commanders).

“We just have to stay the course,” McCarthy said, “and make sure we give the players what they need, put them in a position to succeed, and continue to work on our execution.”