The Dallas Cowboys’ running game saw a resurgence last season. The Cowboys jumped from 27th into the Top 10 in just a year’s time. After posting a paltry -0.067 EPA/rush with Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott a season prior (26th in the NFL), Dallas catapulted to a -0.008 EPA/rush behind resurgent Javonte Williams in 2025.
As numbers typically show, a running back’s success is more about the team around him than the rusher himself, so it makes sense to dive into what worked and what didn’t. A look at specific personnel groups and how the running game faired behind them is in order, hopefully helping determine what needs to improve in 2026.
Personnel groups speak to the number of receivers, running backs and tight ends on the field with two digits. The first number represents the number of backs, the second number represents the tight ends, and the number of receivers is deductively implied. 11 personnel means one running back and one tight end are on the field together which implies three receivers.
As the NFL’s most popular personnel package, 11 was used by the Cowboys 66.43% of the time. According to Sumer Sports, Dallas ranked No. 2 in EPA using 11 personnel last season.
12 personnel means one running back and two tight ends are on the field, which implies two receivers. The Cowboys ranked No. 13 using this group, understandably using it less often than league average. 21 personnel means two running backs and one tight end are on the field, implying two receivers again. The Cowboys finished No. 3 in EPA using this group and deployed it slightly above league average.
22 personnel means two running backs and two tight ends are on the field, leaving room for only one receiver. Like 21, the Cowboys use this grouping more than league average. It’s understandable given the presence of Hunter Luepke, Dallas’s fullback. Not all teams employ fullbacks, so Luepke’s existence gives the Cowboys the desired pieces to go heavy at running back. Sadly, Dallas didn’t do so well here, ranking No. 25 in EPA/play in 22 personnel.
Finally, 13 personnel says one running back and three tight ends are on the field. Like 12 personnel, the Cowboys deployed this below league average. Similar to 12 personnel, Dallas declined a bit, ranking 12th in the NFL in EPA/play in this grouping.
Javonte Williams goes 30 yards… touchdown!
NYGvsDAL on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVntpic.twitter.com/KSwB0wDIjm
— NFL (@NFL) September 14, 2025
What might surprise Cowboys fans is where the running game was at its best and where they were at their worst. One would expect them to find success when they bulk up in personnel and dedicate themselves to the run, but the data show it’s actually quite the opposite. When deploying an extra running back and extra tight end in the 22 personnel group, the Cowboys average a team-worst, -0.29 EPA/rush. The Cowboys find their most success rushing the ball when they keep that second tight end on the sideline and just roll out the extra running back in 21 personnel. Here the Cowboys average -0.008 EPA/rush.
One might notice, both the best and worst personnel groups are negative EPA, indicating rushing the ball might not be all it’s cracked up to be. But there’s a major difference in the numbers and just because an EPA is ever-so-slightly negative, doesn’t mean it doesn’t hold value.
The takeaway today is their tight end group has not been pulling their weight in the ground game. The Cowboys’ worst rushing numbers came when two tight ends were on the field last season and that simply cannot happen again.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys’ efficiency drops when 2 TEs on the field, cause for concern?