Cowboys Offensive Coordinator shows what he thinks of Tony Pollard

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It’s been the Dallas Cowboys‘ Achilles heel offensively all season, but their coordinator isn’t worried.

In his first season as offensive coordinator, Brian Schottenheimer’s offense ranks sixth in yards per game (367.3), averaging 29.4 points per game.

Throughout the 2023 campaign, the passing game has usually carried them when they have the ball.

Dallas is averaging the third-most yards-per-game through the air this season (255.5).

Having a dynamic duo like Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, who’ve made big plays throughout 2023, has given them a massive edge, with both near the top of the list for Offensive Player of the Year.

Scottenheimer was promoted to offensive coordinator in February 2023, though Mike McCarthy calls the plays.

The son of the late legendary NFL coach Marty Schottenheimer, the 50-year-old has yet to be able to get much going on the ground for the Cowboys this season.

After 16 regular season games, Dallas ranks 14th in overall rushing, averaging 111.8 yards per contest.

In their previous two regular-season campaigns, the Cowboys averaged over 120 yards a game and were ninth in overall rushing a season ago.

At the end of the 2022 season, the club parted ways with running back Ezekiel Elliott, who won the rushing title for the Cowboys in 2016 and 2018.

They put the rushing load on Tony Pollard who ran for 1,007 yards last season, averaging 5.2 yards per carry.

Pollard is averaging just four yards per carry this season, with 935 yards on the ground.

No Worries

Weeks ago, Pollard assured everyone that his big game is coming, though heading into their final encounter before the playoffs, we’re still waiting for him to make good on that promise.

His offensive coordinator addressed questions about the running game on dallascowboys.com earlier this week, and backed the running back to contribute.

“We don’t have concerns about our running game,” Schottenheimer said.

“There are certainly things that we need to clean up, there’s no question about that. We’re aware of that. Do we have the pieces to be successful? Absolutely. Are there things we need to tighten up?

“For sure. I think the offensive line when they’re all together, Tony’s ability to get things going, the receivers doing a really good job blocking – I think we’re close.”

While the offense hasn’t suffered despite a struggling ground game, there is little time left for this group to get going in the run game.

Pollard, meanwhile, has averaged fewer than four yards per carry in four of his last five games, with just five touchdowns on the ground this season, four fewer than in 2022.

Time to Step it Up

If Pollard is saving his big game for the right moment, then that moment is fast approaching.

San Francisco, who have home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs, are among the best in the league against the run, allowing an 88.5 yards average a game per Fox Sports.

If San Fran and Dallas win their next two games they’ll face each other at Levi’s Stadium for the NFC title.

The Commanders have given up 126.5 yards per game, putting them at #25 in the NFL.

In his previous game versus Washington this season, Pollard averaged 6.1 yards per carry, scoring a touchdown in a big 45-10 victory.