The Dallas Cowboys are 3-3 and currently a single game behind the NFC East division leader Washington Commanders. Still, the team doesn’t feel competitive because it has only one quality victory; its three losses were all at home, and two weren’t even competitive contests. Owner and GM Jerry Jones has already said the team isn’t bringing in new players or making coaching changes, so they will need to get better this bye week with what they already have here, and they can make it happen.

Players returning from injury will make a difference. DaRon Bland is an All-Pro corner. His return will make an immediate impact. Micah Parsons could be back against the San Francisco 49ers, and having a top-tier pass rusher always helps. Rookie left tackle Tyler Guyton and rookie corner Caelen Carson should return as well, and their reps now should get them better for later in the year. Brandin Cooks and Marshawn Kneeland are a few weeks away, and Demarcus Lawrence will eventually return.

Still, the losses to the New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens happened with almost all those players available, so the Cowboys must go beyond injuries to solve the issues they’ve had so far this season.

One of the key solutions is better play calling, a strategy that proved successful for them last year. The offense needs to incorporate more creativity, put the ball in the hands of their quarterback, Dak Prescott, and get it to their superstar receiver, CeeDee Lamb. Lamb had 32 receptions for 467 yards and two touchdowns at the bye last season, which happened to be the same break point as this season, Week 7.

He has 34 catches for 475 yards and two scores, nearly identical stats. However, Lamb’s performance skyrocketed after the bye, with 101 receptions for 1,274 yards and 10 touchdowns. This transformation for Lamb could be the key to the 2024 season. His improved play takes pressure off of the other weapons on the team, the run game, and the defense.

The other key to a Dallas turnaround is limiting self-inflicted mistakes. The team is tied for third-worst in turnover differential at -6. Prescott has to be more disciplined with the ball, especially in the red zone.

Penalties are another high priority; the Cowboys are in the bottom five with 47 penalties, including 11 false starts, which is also in the bottom five in the NFL. False starts are about self-discipline, which can be emphasized during the bye and throughout the rest of the season.