USArmyVet
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Considering takeaways are probably the most important thing a defense can do. Other than points allowed. I would say the lack of takeaways was a huge issue.
Also shouldn’t ignore the cowboys having unquestionably the worst special teams in the league.
Here’s food for thought.
the cowboys having the worst starting field position in the league, probably plays a factor in inflating Dak’s total yardage number. He had further to go every single possession than other QB’s.
then again, it also probably deflated his touchdowns and the teams total points because again, they had further to go than any other team in the league to score.
it cuts both ways.
Having the worst starting field position in the entire league is 100% absolutely a problem if you want to win games.
Asking your offense to drive the ball 80 yards over and over and over again is a recipe for disaster against good teams with good defenses.
Good defenses don’t give up 80 yard touchdown drives very often. That’s what makes them good defenses.
Actually Dallas did NOT have the worse starting field position but actually 3rd to last (Dallas average line of scrimmage after kickoff was their own 24.08 yard line whereas the worst team was the Chargers starting at their own 23.40 yard line).
However, considering that the team with the BEST starting field position was Buffalo who started at their own 26.98 yard line, you can see that this represents a mere 2.9 yard difference between the best and where Dallas started.
Furthermore, if you look at the average line of scrimmage for all drives, Dallas ranks 3rd to last with their starting line of scrimmage being their own 26.19 yard line (Jacksonville was last with their starting line of scrimmage being their own 25.83 yard line). However, the team with the best starting field position was the Patriots who started at their own 32.64 yard line. Again, you are looking at only 6.65 yards difference between the best team and Dallas.
So, if you are really trying to say that because of a difference of 2.9 yards on kickoffs and 6.65 yards on all drives in terms of starting field position that Dak was severely hampered in his performance I would argue otherwise.