FRISCO, Texas _ One of the biggest complaints about the Dallas Cowboys during Jason Garrett's tenure has been the team's inability to make in-game adjustments, most notably at halftime, when those types of things are supposed to take place.
Exhibit A: The 27-7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons in 2017 when Dak Prescott was sacked 8 times, including six by defensive end Adrian Clayborn.
Clayborn had three of the team's four sacks in the first half yet the Cowboys did nothing to change the game plan or protection scheme at halftime.
Last season's 10-6 mark was belied by the fact that the Cowboys were outscored 202-186 after halftime, including a 76-63 deficit in the third quarter alone.
But in 2019, the halftime break has sparked a reversal of fortunes for the undefeated Cowboys.
They've outscored the New York Giants, Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins 35-10 in the third quarter.
"You have to adapt as the game is unfolding," Witten said to reporters after Sunday's 31-6 victory against the Dolphins. "I think our staff has done a good job of that. I think it speaks a lot to the quarterback and everybody else."
Prescott has keyed the second-half surge with perfect play in the third, where he has completed all 22 passes for 384 yards and three touchdowns; he's also run for a score.
So what is going on at halftime with Prescott and the offense?
"They're all different, it depends on what's going on," Prescott said. "Sometimes the players have to go take care of themselves or sometimes I have to go do something or change clothes because I'm sweating. It differs and has throughout this season.
"I don't know if one halftime has been the same. (Offensive coordinator) Kellen (Moore) comes in, the offense comes in with adjustments and gives them to us and we just go from there. At the end of the day, it's for us to just have a break, to reset ourselves and realizes as players and coaches what we've done well and what we need to get better at. We'll continue to do that."
It's something they have always tried to do. But the Cowboys are adjusting and performing after halftime better than any time in the past under Garrett.
"Obviously, at halftime, you have more time to do that, but that should go on throughout the ballgame," Garrett said. "You should be adjusting and adapting all throughout the game for three hours. That's what the best teams do."
As a result, the Cowboys are 3-0 for the first time since 2008 and will head to New Orleans (2-1) Sunday trying to go 4-0 for the first time since 2007.
