The Dallas Cowboys thought they had a good run game going with Javonte Williams through the first five weeks of the season, but then the Carolina Panthers game happened.
Having not had less than 117 yards in a game prior, the Cowboys were held to just 31 rushing yards as the Panthers' defensive line ate the Cowboys' offensive line alive time and time again, clogging up run lanes and getting penetration through to the backfield.
That was very un-Cowboys-like, and it was a big reason why Dallas lost the game. Now, the Cowboys have to reassess the rushing attack.
And Williams knows where to start.
“Just got to get back to the basics," Williams said. “I feel like they played a lot more physical than we did, so that's where it really all started with physicality, communication, just small things. I feel like we weren't really clicking.”
More: Javonte Williams offers brutal assessment of Cowboys' run game vs. Panthers
Can Cowboys run game get rolling vs. Commanders?
One would like to think that the effort in Carolina was a one-off for what has otherwise been a top run game for the Cowboys, and the Washington Commanders might be just the team to get Dallas' run game back on track.
Joe Whitt Jr.'s defense against the run this season hasn't been great.
Through six weeks, the Commanders have given up 135, 128, 155, and 145 yards on the ground, so that is one avenue the Cowboys can no doubt attack, and with Williams and Jaydon Blue, coupled with the expected return of right guard Tyler Booker, Dallas has a great chance to get the run game going.
Of course, we thought that against the Panthers too, but the Cowboys should be stung by the run game performance, and being at home, Dallas should want to right the wrongs of last week.
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