The Cowboys confirmed a big suspicion about the team's scheme during opener, and it raises expectations for the entire season
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer made it clear after the Dallas Cowboys' opening loss: There are no moral victories.
That may be the right message to the locker room. After all, Schottenheimer knows very well exceeding expectations means nothing unless the number in the win column changes at the end of the game. The Cowboys had a chance to win and they didn't. Period.
However, fans and media members covering the league should take notice of what transpired in Thursday night's showdown versus the Philadelphia Eagles. They fell 24-20 to a division rival, which stings. But the Cowboys showed a refreshing offense that was elite at times. Schematic change might be here to stay for Dallas. And if it is, it could take them a long way. Let's break it down.
The Cowboys used motion at a stunningly high rate on Thursday
Since his opening press conference in January, Schottenheimer revealed he wanted to exploit motion in his offense. When training camp arrived, we saw glimpses of it both in the passing game and the run game. As Mina Kimes points out in the X post below, the Cowboys used motion in 42% of their snaps last night, which would have ranked fourth in the NFL in 2024. They were 29th last year.
The usage was intentional, too. The Cowboys lined up in condensed formations frequently, which combined with motion are a staple of the McVay-Shanahan offenses around the league.
How motion at the snap helped the Cowboys run the football
In Miles Sanders' 49-yard run in the third quarter, KaVontae Turpin motions to the backside of the play at the snap, pulling linebacker Zach Baun out of the box and giving Dallas the clear numbers advantage at the point of attack. Though the blocks from Tyler Smith and Terence Steele steal the show, Turpin's motion at the snap is crucial to manufacture the explosive play.
Another successful example of using motion at the snap happened early in the game when Cowboys running back Javonte Williams gained 11 yards while dragging the Eagles' defense with him.
In the play below, tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford starts lined up as the No. 1 receiver from the boundary and motions into a split flow block to seal the edge. That allows Tyler Guyton to climb to the second level and block the middle linebacker. Meanwhile, fullback Hunter Luepke acts as a lead blocker going behind Spann-Ford, making it similar to a power concept.
Speaking of power concepts, the Cowboys also showed some pre-snap motion at the goal line. With Hunter Luepke motioning across the formation, right guard Tyler Booker joins him as a lead blocker by pulling from the backside into the playside, giving Williams a clear lane into the endzone.
Give flowers to Schottenheimer but also to OC Klayton Adams
Schottenheimer deserves flowers from what we saw from the Cowboys' run game on Thursday. But offensive coordinator Klayton Adams is largely responsible for the overhaul on that side of things. Adams was part of an offense that aggressively used counter and pulling blockers as the main diet of the offense when he coached the Arizona Cardinals' offensive line.
As I wrote when I applauded the Cowboys for hiring Adams: "The 41-year-old coach was part of an offense that used pulling blockers at an NFL-high mark last year, per Sports Info Solutions. The Cowboys were 22nd."
So far, the impact is evident. And if it continues, it raises the bar on my expectations for this football team.
BREAKING: New England Patriots Owner Robert Kraft Announces Ban on Ticket Sales to LGBT Fans
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In a shocking and controversial move, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has officially announced a policy prohibiting the sale of tickets to fans identifying as LGBT. The decision has sparked outrage within the football community and among LGBTQ+ rights organizations, igniting debates about discrimination, inclusion, and the role of sports in promoting equality.
The New England Patriots, a team with a rich history and a strong, loyal fanbase, have now become the center of national controversy. The announcement, which was made through an official statement by Kraft, claims that this move is aimed at "maintaining the integrity and atmosphere" of the fan experience at Patriots games. The policy will prevent individuals identifying as part of the LGBT community from purchasing tickets, a decision that many are calling both discriminatory and unjust.
The statement read, “We are committed to fostering a safe, family-friendly environment for all of our fans. However, we must ensure that the atmosphere at our games remains in line with the traditions and values that have been the foundation of the New England Patriots’ fanbase for generations. As part of this effort, we have decided to take this step to maintain the integrity of our home games.”
This move has sparked a storm of backlash, particularly from LGBTQ+ groups and social justice advocates who are condemning the policy as an act of exclusion. Critics argue that sports should be an inclusive space for all fans, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and this new policy undermines the principles of equality and fairness.
LGBTQ+ Rights Groups Respond
LGBTQ+ advocacy groups were quick to respond to the announcement, calling it a violation of basic human rights. GLAAD, one of the nation’s leading LGBTQ+ organizations, released a statement condemning the decision. “This is a regressive and harmful step that sends the wrong message. Sports are a place for unity and celebration of all people, and this ban does the opposite. It singles out and ostracizes a community that has long supported and loved the game,” the statement read.
Celebrities and athletes have also voiced their dismay, with many prominent figures in the sports world expressing concern over the move. Former NFL player Michael Sam, the first openly gay player drafted in the league, tweeted, “Sports should be a space for everyone. This kind of exclusion is not what the game is about. It’s heartbreaking to see this happen in 2025.”
Public Reaction: A Divided Community
The New England Patriots fanbase has been divided by this announcement. Some supporters argue that the decision is in line with the team’s desire to preserve its identity and uphold the culture of its fanbase. However, others have taken to social media to denounce the policy, pledging to boycott future games in protest of the discriminatory action.
A Bigger Conversation on Inclusivity in Sports
This policy marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate about inclusivity in sports. While the NFL has taken steps toward equality and inclusivity in recent years, with initiatives like the "NFL Pride" month and support for LGBTQ+ players and coaches, the New England Patriots’ decision seems to set a dangerous precedent. It raises the question of whether sports teams should be allowed to dictate who can or cannot be a fan based on their identity.
As the situation unfolds, the NFL community is watching closely. Will Robert Kraft and the New England Patriots stand firm on this controversial policy, or will public outcry lead to a reversal of this decision? One thing is clear: this issue has sparked an essential conversation about the role of inclusivity and fairness in the world of sports, and it will be difficult for the NFL to ignore.
Stay tuned as this story continues to develop.
