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ESPN Analyst Urges Cowboys to Evolve Scheme and Beat the Blitz Before It’s Too Late
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- ESPN Analyst Urges Cowboys to Evolve Scheme and Beat the Blitz Before It’s Too Late
The Dallas Cowboys' 33-30 overtime defeat to the Arizona Cardinals was more than just another loss. Gardner Minshew's three fourth-quarter touchdown passes helped Arizona complete the comeback. Chad Ryland eventually redeemed an earlier missed extra point with the game-winning field goal in overtime. At 3-5, Dallas is running out of time to turn its season around.
Dallas' defensive collapse attracted plenty of criticism, but the offense has also failed to live up to expectations. The Cowboys have talented playmakers, including Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, yet their offensive execution has been inconsistent. ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky's criticism highlights that individual talent cannot compensate for predictable schemes and poor answers against defensive pressure.
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With the November 10 trade deadline approaching, the Cowboys must decide whether additional defensive reinforcements can help rescue their season. At the same time, the upcoming schedule still offers opportunities, but another avoidable defeat could seriously damage their playoff hopes.
Dan Orlovsky Exposes Three Major Flaws in the Cowboys' Offensive Scheme
Orlovsky believes Dallas has failed to develop the adjustments required to handle aggressive defensive pressure. The Cowboys have struggled in these areas, allowing opponents to disrupt their offensive rhythm.
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Dallas rarely uses condensed formations: The analyst identified another weakness in the Cowboys' offensive approach.
"We've talked to a ton about getting into shrunk splits, shrinking your formation stacks bunches. They do it the least in the NFL. This is 2026, not 2021," the ESPN analyst said.
These formations can help receivers create separation, confuse defensive backs and make coverage assignments harder. Orlovsky said Dallas uses these concepts the least in the NFL. His point is that the Cowboys are making life easier for opposing defenses by repeatedly presenting predictable formations.
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Countering extra pass-rushers has been a problem:Losing Micah Parsons has left a significant void in the Cowboys' pass rush . Although Jerry Jones previously defended the trade , arguing that the additional draft capital allowed Dallas to take risks in rebuilding its defense, the results have not been convincing.
"We've talked about it a lot on this show when it comes to kind of the, some of the staples of good offenses in the NFL in 2026; one good offenses are great against the blitz," Orlovsky said. "They're terrible against the blitz."
The lack of pre-snap motion is another concern:Orlovsky also highlighted Dallas' limited use of pre-snap and at-the-snap motion.
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"The third thing is motion pre-snap motion at the snap motion, their third lowest in the NFL….so for a organization and for a people covering the NFL that continue to say, we've got a Super Bowl caliber offense. No, you don't," Orlovsky said.
Motion can reveal defensive coverage, create favorable matchups and help receivers get open. Dallas needs to use these tactics more frequently rather than relying entirely on individual talent.
Orlovsky's verdict remains particularly harsh as he did not hold back when assessing the team's offensive identity.
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"You got a bunch of really talented players, but you are not a good offense and you don't do the things that good offenses in this era of the NFL do. And so we could kill the defense all we want," he added.
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This story was originally published by Athlon on Nov 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
