Witten calls offensive meeting to address struggles ahead of must-win game

The slumping Dallas Cowboys have lost two consecutive games in blowout fashion.

An offense that averaged 31.7 points in its previous six games, has just one touchdown in 23 drives over the past two games and that came on a short field after a turnover.

The Cowboys have allowed 12 sacks in the past two games.

The suspension of running back Ezekiel Elliott and the absence of Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith were mitigating factors in the struggles, but futility was so great that tight end Jason Witten felt the need to address the offense this week.

Quarterback Dak Prescott also spoke.

But it was Witten who initiated the talks ahead of Thursday’s must-win match-up against the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Cowboys (5-5) will get Smith get back on Thursday, but they can’t wait until Elliott returns Dec. 24 to get things turned around if they hope to remain in the playoff chase.

“It was a good visit,” Witten said. “I think our guys understand what the task is and where we are in the season. Look, we’ve seen what we’re capable of doing. This offense, we know we have the right guys, the right players and the right coaches. So there is a lot of confidence that comes from that. You know, you just have to play better. Opportunities when we get them, we just have to take advantage of them. This system has been successful, highly successful, and the players in it have been highly successful.

“That’s what our team has done and has just got to get back to it.”

Prescott calls this is a must-win game. He said the Cowboys have can either go 5-11 or 11-5. It’s time for them to show their character and let it all hang out like there is no tomorrow.

“To me as players, we’ve got to execute better, we’ve got to make guys miss sometimes, one on ones we’ve got to make guys miss, sometimes getting out of the pocket instead of running out of bounds – hey maybe I’ll try to make that safety miss and try to score,” Prescott said. “It’s just that one right now, fighting, it’s got to come out of us right now.”