Dallas Cowboys Week 18 Preview

Introduction

As the Dallas Cowboys head into Week 18 of the 2024 season, the team finds itself in a precarious position after a humbling defeat against the Philadelphia Eagles. Losing 7 to 41 is not just a score; it's a wake-up call. With the playoffs looming, the Cowboys must regroup and recalibrate their strategy. In this blog post, we’ll dive deep into the stats from last week’s game and how they compare to the current state of the team as they prepare to face the Washington Commanders. Spoiler alert: it’s time to turn that frown upside down!

Power Ranking

After Week 17, the Cowboys' power ranking plummeted to 24, with a win rate against a median opponent of just 41.0%. This is not the kind of number that inspires confidence, especially considering the high expectations surrounding America's Team. The drop from Week 17 to Week 18, where they now sit at 26, reflects the struggles the team has faced. But hey, there’s always room for improvement! With a little luck and a lot of hard work, the Cowboys can claw their way back into the upper echelons of the league.

Overall Drive Efficiency

The Cowboys have shown some promise in overall drive efficiency, currently ranking 10th in the league. This is a bright spot amidst the chaos, as it indicates that when they do get the ball moving, they can be effective. However, the four turnovers against the Eagles certainly put a damper on this statistic. It’s like having a beautiful sports car but forgetting to put gas in it. The team needs to harness this efficiency and convert it into points, not turnovers, if they want to turn their season around.

Defensive Drive Efficiency

On the defensive side, the Cowboys are sitting at a respectable 14th in defensive drive efficiency. This shows that they can hold their ground and prevent their opponents from marching down the field with ease. However, the Eagles' offensive explosion last week was a stark reminder that even the best defenses can falter. It’s crucial for the Cowboys to tighten up their defensive strategies and capitalize on their opponents' mistakes, especially as they prepare to face the Commanders, who are no slouches on offense.

Offensive Drive Efficiency

With an offensive drive efficiency ranking of 10th, the Cowboys have shown they can be dynamic and effective. But let’s be real: efficiency means nothing if you can’t hold onto the ball. The Cowboys need to focus on executing their plays without the costly turnovers that have plagued them recently. This week, they need to dig deep and channel their inner offensive juggernaut to ensure they can capitalize on every opportunity they get.

Defensive Turnover Efficiency

The Cowboys have a solid defensive turnover efficiency, which means they have the potential to create turnovers when the opportunity arises. However, this potential has not been fully realized in recent games. Against the Eagles, they failed to generate any turnovers, which was a critical factor in their loss. If they can flip the script and start forcing turnovers, it could change the entire complexion of their matchup against the Commanders.

Offensive Turnover Efficiency

Unfortunately, the Cowboys’ offensive turnover efficiency has been less than stellar. With four turnovers against the Eagles, it’s clear that the team has been struggling to maintain possession of the ball. This is a recipe for disaster, and it’s something they must address immediately. Every time they turn the ball over, they not only lose scoring opportunities but also give their opponents a chance to capitalize. The Cowboys need to treat the football like it’s made of gold in their upcoming game against the Commanders.

Drive Time

The Cowboys rank 8th in drive time, which indicates they can move the ball efficiently down the field. This is a double-edged sword, though. While it’s great to see them making progress quickly, they also need to ensure they’re not rushing their plays and making mistakes. A balanced approach is essential; they need to find the sweet spot between speed and execution to maximize their offensive potential.

Preview For Next Week

Looking ahead to Week 18, the Cowboys will face the Washington Commanders, who are favored by 4.5 points. The Commanders have been playing well, and our simulations predict they will win 73.4% of the time. However, the Cowboys have the tools to pull off an upset if they can clean up their act. The most common projected score has the Cowboys at 20 points and the Commanders at 29 points, but we all know that anything can happen in the NFL. The Cowboys need to focus on ball security, capitalize on their drives, and put pressure on the Commanders' offense. If they can do that, they might just surprise everyone.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Dallas Cowboys have a mountain to climb as they head into Week 18. With a mix of promising stats and glaring issues, it’s clear that they need to find a way to put it all together. The upcoming game against the Commanders is a chance for redemption and a step towards reclaiming their position in the playoff race. Let’s hope they can channel their inner champions and turn this ship around.

Stay tuned to advancedfootballstats.com for more data-driven insights and analysis as we continue to follow the Dallas Cowboys' journey throughout the 2024 NFL season.