A lot is wrong with the Dallas Cowboys. After suffering their fourth loss of the season, the Cowboys are tied for the sixth worst record in the NFL. Their defense is every bit as bad as last season, and their offense is struggling in ways previously seen as unimaginable. Needless to say, many parts of this team need fixing.
But one problematic corner of the team jumps out as a priority all alone. One threatens to steal hope, which is the very essence of Cowboys Nation. For as great as it would be to fix the coverage, create a pass rush, stop the run, and improve the play calling, pass protection has to be Priority No. 1.
Dallas’ pass protection has been a nightmare in 2026. Their struggles to pick up blitzers is becoming an epidemic as much as it’s
becoming a blueprint. Teams have figured out loading up the blitz on one side causes fits across the offensive line. Tight ends and running backs have been left to pick multiple blitzers at a time, resulting in free rushers and tanked opportunities downfield.
Dallas is currently second-to-last in the NFL in unblocked pressures allowed, and rank 29 of 32 in unblocked pressure rate allowed. To make matters worse, the problem is almost entirely assignment based. With three former first round picks on the offensive line, talent is clearly not the issue.
Key offensive line blocking stats: pic.twitter.com/Sbdz8wN6lN
— Sam Hoppen (@SamHoppen) October 20, 2026
With offensive line gurus such as Klayton Adams and Conor Riley on staff, issues like this are shocking and indefensible. It’s one thing if someone like T.J. Bass or Terence Steele whiffs a block or two because physical limitations. But to have repeated identification and assignment confusion week after week like this is tough to accept.
The reason these issues are so potentially catastrophic is because they carry a direct relation to the health of Dak Prescott. Prescott has had his share injuries throughout his career and at age 33, he isn’t getting more durable. Keeping the lifeblood of the offense upright is important and allowing the second most unblocked pressures isn’t a great way at achieving that.
Another fun cat-and-mouse between Dak/Cowboys and Bowles.
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) October 14, 2026
Bucs bring the FS (#23) and Mike (#34) on a blitz, but because the Cowboys point is on #45 (the player the OL is accounting for), the two blitzers are both technically the RB's guy.
The third time the Cowboys get this… https://t.co/cfUhdnIfJd pic.twitter.com/TkrWA05qIQ
With the blueprint out there, it’s safe to say every opponent will be attacking Dallas like this until the offensive line proves they can handle it. It has to be addressed, studied and practiced to no end because another failed effort in pass protection may not just result in a loss, but an injury to the Cowboys’ QB1.
The thing with big blitzes is, they unavoidably come with big opportunities downfield for receivers. With fewer players in coverage the chance for big gains grows, provided Prescott can stand long enough to deliver.
I'm going through every blitz we faced last night but the story can be summed up in these two plays
— Rob (DakshotSZN) (@GalacticRebirth) October 19, 2026
Green Bay spent a lot of the night packing the box and blitzing, especially from the LB spot. They'd mix up who drops and who comes, which on the surface is annoying. But it's… pic.twitter.com/WTZCFCDtBe
There’s also a matter of routes that need to be considered. Long developing routes don’t help much when Prescott is running for his life. Diagnosing a blitz and identifying hot routes into vacated zones is a tried-and-true counter. Scheming open players with complementary routes is another great way to take advantage of an empty secondary, but these haven’t been consistently done either.
The blitz should be welcomed by Dallas, yet this season, it’s been feared. The Cowboys have to figure out how to pick up the blitz before it’s too late.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: The Cowboys must fix this one broken part before all else
