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Following a demoralizing defeat to the Baltimore Ravens the previous week, Dak Prescott openly questioned whether the Dallas Cowboys' offense merited its self-styled moniker, 'Greatest Offense There Is.' The quarterback expressed his frustration, saying, 'Frustrated. Frustrated as hell. Excuse me. Embarrassed. We call ourselves best offense, you know, GOTI, and we get down in the one-yard line and don't put it in. Yeah, it just sucks. Not a lot of words or full explanation of it.' Those candid remarks from Prescott, who recently became the franchise's all-time leader in passing touchdowns, demanded attention, and he responded by helping to reverse the team's fortunes in Week 4.
With that turnaround, the 'GOTI' label may have regained some legitimacy. The Cowboys secured a much-needed 34-30 victory over the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on Sunday, mounting a comeback behind a career-best performance from wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who hauled in the game-winning touchdown pass from Prescott with just 40 seconds remaining.
The dynamic duo's production has placed Dallas on a trajectory comparable to some of the NFL's most potent offenses of the past quarter-century, suggesting that the franchise's long-standing absence from the NFC Championship game could soon come to an end.
Key Analysis
Through four games, the Cowboys' offense is averaging 3.39 points per drive, ranking fifth among all NFL offenses in the first four games of a season since 2000, according to The Ringer's Anthony Dabbundo. If sustained over a full season, that average would be the highest since 2000. The other teams in the top six all reached the NFC Championship, including the 2020 Green Bay Packers (3.67), 2024 Washington Commanders (3.56), 2021 Kansas City Chiefs (3.53), 2007 New England Patriots (3.53), and 2018 Kansas City Chiefs (3.29). Dallas last appeared in the NFC Championship during the 1995 season, when they won the Super Bowl; since then, they have been eliminated in the Wild Card or Divisional Round or missed the playoffs entirely.
These early offensive numbers could be even more impressive if not for three missed field goals by kicker Brandon Aubrey, including one blocked against Baltimore and another blocked by Houston on Sunday, plus a missed 64-yard attempt at the end of the first half against the Texans. Additionally, the offense has shown inconsistencies, failing to capitalize on key opportunities in losses to Baltimore and the New York Giants, as well as in Sunday's win. The fact that they are still on a historic pace highlights the unit's immense ceiling once everything clicks.
Dallas will have a chance to build momentum with a quick turnaround on Thursday Night Football against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5.