Last year we ranked 8th in the league in points per drive, and this year we're 14th. In touchdowns per drive, last year we were 10th, and this year we're 18th. Why the drop? Our average starting field position is a little worse this year, but we're converting 3rd downs at a slightly higher rate, so you could say that those two factors effectively cancel each other out.

The two biggest reasons for the scoring drop are drive-killing turnovers and an inability to score touchdowns in the red zone. Although the lack of a running game continues to be a cause, the new element this year is that the 3rd WR position has had a major negative effect on scoring.

Turnovers

Our fumble rate is identical to last year's. The difference this year is the increase in interceptions. A breakdown of interception percentage by target reveals a huge increase in INT on passes intended for the 3rd WR. The interception rate on targets to all other receivers has hardly changed.

2011: Team INT % 2.1

Robinson 2.5% (81 tgt, 2 int)

everyone else 2.2% (464 tgt, 10 int)

2012: Team INT % 3.2

Ogletree/Beasley/Harris 8.2% (73 tgt, 6 int)

everyone else 2.4% (376 tgt, 9 int)

Red Zone Touchdowns

Dallas ranks 26th in red zone touchdown percentage this season. A breakdown of red zone TD distribution by player shows a huge drop in production from the 3rd WR. Everyone else's red zone production remains unchanged.

2011: 25 total red zone TD

Robinson 8

everyone else 17

2012 (projected): 18 total red zone TD

Ogletree/Beasley/Harris 1

everyone else 17