Callahan Explains Run-Pass Imbalance Vs. Vikes

Bill Callahan says there were good reasons for the Cowboys to be so pass-happy against Minnesota

A good many eyebrows were raised last week when, in the victory over the Vikings at AT&T Stadium, the Cowboys threw the ball 51 times. They ran the ball just nine times, and one of those was a scramble by Tony Romo. For a team that so often preaches balance on offense--but doesn’t necessarily practice what it preaches--it felt frustratingly familiar for Dallas fans.

But offensive coordinator Bill Callahan--who actually has a reputation for being committed to the run--says that given the circumstances, throwing the ball 51 times was the way to go.

We had some favorable matchups last week, and it showed itself,” Callahan said, per the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “I truly believe Tony could have been 40-for-51. His numbers could have been unbelievably higher if we had not dropped some balls. I thought it could have been an unbelievable day for him.”

Instead, Romo went 34-for-51 and the Cowboys just got away with a win, 27-23. And while Callahan will defend the pass-happiness of the offense last week, he knows the team has to run the ball more going forward.

“It’s no excuse. We’ve got to run the ball better,” he said. “But we did try to take advantage of some coverage elements, personnel, some of things that they were doing that kind of limited what their scheme was all about. So when you’ve got guys that get hurt, you’re going to have less coverage and they’re going to be more simple, or simplified, in that respect. So that’s some of the rationale that went into the attack last week.”

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