On Sunday evening the Dallas Cowboys vanquished the Philadelphia Eagles and it was glorious in so many different ways.The star of the game was undoubtedly wide receiver Amari Cooper. Eclipsing 200 yards Jay Novacek Color Rush Jersey , catching three touchdowns (including the game-winner), and making play after play will kind of have that effect.One of the more incredible plays that Cooper had against Philadelphia was his 75-yard touchdown. The Cowboys were in need of a scoring drive and Cooper made that quite easy. After the game he discussed the play and how it actually only happened thanks to Dak Prescott.Cooper was pressed about what kind of signal this was and he said it was a hand signal (he also jokingly said they’d now have to change it). It’s really great to see that Dak Prescott took control of the moment and trusted his receiver’s instincts, but it raises questions about Scott Linehan’s play-calling.This touchdown came in the fourth quarter. It’s not like Cooper is expressing sentiments from the game’s first possession where things were still unknown (or at least more unknown). What would have happened had Dak Prescott not use his authority to adjust the route?Thankfully we didn’t have to watch that play out but in an alternate timeline many BTBers are arguing about how Cooper should have indeed run a go. Again, give both Dak and Amari credit for the recognition, adjustment, and execution https://www.dallascowboysfanshop.com/Bill-Bates-Jersey , but what about Scott?This question keeps coming up.Oh the irony! Cowboys lead the NFL in fourth-downs made in 2018 It was a decision that shook the Cowboys fanbase. One that had many openly calling for Jason Garrett’s job. It was the infamous punt in overtime against the Houston Texans. Facing a fourth and “l(fā)ong” one from the Texans’ 42-yard line in overtime, Garrett decided against putting the ball in the hands of his offense and punted. Of course, as we all know, the Texans took that punt and danced and twirled through the Cowboys defense for a game-winning field goal. Cowboys Nation was understandably not happy.Based on that, you might think the Cowboys are a conservative team that never go for it on fourth down. Au contraire. The Cowboys have converted the highest number of fourth downs in the NFL in 2018. Dallas is six of eight on fourth down for a 75% conversion rate.Those six made attempts rank first in the league. Eight attempts on fourth down is tied with three other teams for second place, while the the Cowboys next opponent Charles Haley Jersey , Washington, tops the list with nine attempts in 2018 (they have converted five for a 56% rate). The Cowboys 75% conversion rated is tied for second, behind four teams tied for first who are at an 100% conversion rate. The Chiefs are four-for-four on the year on fourth down. Obviously not all fourth down calls are the same. Some are desperation tries at the end of games when you’re trailing your opponent. Some are like the Jacksonville game when the Cowboys went for it late in the game when they had a huge lead. Still, the idea that Jason Garrett’s team leads the league in fourth-down conversions after dealing with the Texans game is a little bit of irony. Our old friend KD broke down some numbers about fourth and short with the Cowboys.As they say, bygones. In the NFL you are always faced with another game during the season, so you have to look ahead. Fourth down L. P. Ladouceur Color Rush Jersey , though, is a little bit of a specialty item. Where the Cowboys really need to improve is in converting third downs. Dallas is 30th in the league with a 31% conversion rate on third down, only ahead of Buffalo and Arizona. And this comes after the Cowboys went 7-17 on third down against Jacksonville, a 41% conversion rate. So while we poke a little fun at the fourth down stats, the third down numbers are no laughing matter. The best third-down teams in the NFL so far in 2018 are converting at a rate in the mid-to-high 40s. That will probably come down some before the year is out, but even the Jacksonville effort by the Cowboys (41%) was only okay in the overall scheme. They were somewhat bailed out by going two-for-two on fourth down Taco Charlton Jersey , and also receiving a first down by penalty on a fourth down punt.Given the Cowboys success on fourth down, going for it in the Houston game made all the sense in the world. Even so, if the Cowboys want to succeed in 2018, it’s third down where they need the work.