Our defense in the 5 playoff losses in last decade

[DallasInDC]

I remember that game. We have Dak fans shouting from the rooftops that football is a team game, which it is, and when the team just blame one guy, Dak.

Then from the other side of the mouth, there is "well, Dak beat the GOAT and made Brady retire". Dak fan have no shame. lol

That's a valid point, however it goes both ways...and relevant to your point Dak Haters have no shame. Unfortunately very few take the middle ground.

Problem here is there will be no movement on the Dak argument from the two sides...not sure why this topic is posted over and over again...it's like to groups of people pushing a boulder...every now and then one side will advance a little bit farther than the middle, but it always but it always gets pushed right back to the center.

(I know some will say so why are you here...in this thread or the site and general. To be honest, out of boredom and lack of discussion threads, I jump in read the first page...skip to the last page and realize I fell into the trap. That's why my viewership has fallen from ~1 every hour or so daily to on average once or twice a day 4-5 days a week).

 

[FanofJerry]

That's a valid point, however it goes both ways...and relevant to your point Dak Haters have no shame. Unfortunately very few take the middle ground.

Problem here is there will be no movement on the Dak argument from the two sides...not sure why this topic is posted over and over again...it's like to groups of people pushing a boulder...every now and then one side will advance a little bit farther than the middle, but it always but it always gets pushed right back to the center.

(I know some will say so why are you here...in this thread or the site and general. To be honest, out of boredom and lack of discussion threads, I jump in read the first page...skip to the last page and realize I fell into the trap. That's why my viewership has fallen from ~1 every hour or so daily to on average once or twice a day 4-5 days a week)

what's funny about it is...there is a lot of wasted energy on this board arguing if Dak is decent enough in the playoffs...

When all it takes is one person who has ALL-22 access to post a video of every passing snap Dak made in playoffs and analyze it.

I'm surprised none of the mods have done this. I get that it goes against their business model, and Dak drama creates clicks around here...

But there should be a sticky with a video of every Dak playoff throw so posters can debate actual performance.

It won't be done though. It goes against the narrative.

It wouldn't show the whole picture or clear all drama. The video wouldn't tell us if a receiver ran a wrong route, if Dak incorrectly audibles out of something...and it wouldn't clear up the QB salary market issue.

But a sticky with a video of Daks throwing snaps should easily end the debate about if Dak can read the field pre and post snap and make throws at a decent quip.

The video wouldn't need to be more than 40 minutes long amd would go a long way to ending stupid debates in every thread.

Reasonable posters could simply post a message in threads where unreasonable posters are taking over that says "go check the dak playoff sticky video"

But...that makes too much sense

 

[CowboyFrog]

what's funny about it is...there is a lot of wasted energy on this board arguing if Dak is decent enough in the playoffs...

When all it takes is one person who has ALL-22 access to post a video of every passing snap Dak made in playoffs and analyze it.

I'm surprised none of the mods have done this. I get that it goes against their business model, and Dak drama creates clicks around here...

But there should be a sticky with a video of every Dak playoff throw so posters can debate actual performance.

It won't be done though. It goes against the narrative.

It wouldn't show the whole picture or clear all drama. The video wouldn't tell us if a receiver ran a wrong route, if Dak incorrectly audibles out of something...and it wouldn't clear up the QB salary market issue.

But a sticky with a video of Daks throwing snaps should easily end the debate about if Dak can read the field pre and post snap and make throws at a decent quip.

The video wouldn't need to be more than 40 minutes long amd would go a long way to ending stupid debates in every thread.

Reasonable posters could simply post a message in threads where unreasonable posters are taking over that says "go check the dak playoff sticky video"

But...that makes too much sense

Facts have no place in the Dak war... wether he plays good or bad the posts were/will be predetermined anyway...Just look at the Romo vs Dak argument...nothing makes that make sense yet there will be a monthly blood bath over it anyway...Video isnt going to change anything.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

That's a valid point, however it goes both ways...and relevant to your point Dak Haters have no shame. Unfortunately very few take the middle ground.

Stopped reading right there. Because that is some bull ____

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

Facts have no place in the Dak war... wether he plays good or bad the posts were/will be predetermined anyway...Just look at the Romo vs Dak argument...nothing makes that make sense yet there will be a monthly blood bath over it anyway...Video isnt going to change anything.

There is INDEED...an easy solution. It doesn't have to be like you and @FanofJerry say. There are two options.

1) Win.

Obviously dak doesn't control ALL of that...but a lot...as ANY QB has to do.

2) Play well.

Dak my not escape ALL criticism...but if he plays well...makes others around him better...he would shed a TON of criticism, even in a loss...um against a GOOD team.

If ya come out and play like he did his last two playoff games...then by god he deserves criticism.

 

[FanofJerry]

Facts have no place in the Dak war... wether he plays good or bad the posts were/will be predetermined anyway...Just look at the Romo vs Dak argument...nothing makes that make sense yet there will be a monthly blood bath over it anyway...Video isnt going to change anything.

IF IF IF IF...

The video shows the ratio of good vs bad plays in Daks favor:

1) making right reads

2) not a one read QB

3) ability to make throws

4) ability to make a plays if hurried

Things like that. If it showed he did this stuff at a decent quip...the Dak sucks talk should minimize.

All that would be left is arguing his salary or some intangible like yips. But the video should make it clear if Dak has yips or not.

Some of the forced, one read throws to TE...inwould like to know if that is Dak or he is being told to make that exact throw.

Daks been picked in the playoffs off that. Some here scrutinize that as one of Daks flaws. It bad if even I would know to jump the TE route if I was playing against Dak. I want to believe Dak isn't that choreographed. And that he is being asked to make that bad throw(Jerry NDA?)

I'm just saying a video breakdown would be hard to argue against...especially if posters as posting "the Dak playoff sticky says your assessment of Dak is incorrect"

 

[FVSTONE]

So disagree with this. On defense at least.

We have had swarming team tackling for a few years now...since Parsons got on the block at least.

I don't care about playoff losses...our team swarm tackles and plays fast.

I completely disagree on the defense side of this. Maybe on offense...but your argument is usually made for defenses get hit in the mouth.

If we are playing hard, fast and swarm tackling but getting whooped...it's a coaching scheme issue, a weak spot in personally at a position getting exploited by the other team, or a super star like Brady or mahomes just doing what they do.

To say our defense has no heart past couple of years is gaslighting.

You're correct, our defense kicks butt when we're down by double digits and their opponent is just trying to run out the clock. But, when it matters most and the game is just getting started or the game is on the line, our defense folds like a cheap tent! Gang tackling is happening after chunk plays..................LOL!

 

[zrinkill]

Hard on a defense when the offense goes 3 and out every time at the start of the game.

 

[RonnieT24]

Hard on a defense when the offense goes 3 and out every time at the start of the game.

Yes.. if only that were the case in the Cowboys' losses. Speaking in (mindless) absolutes avails us nothing. In our last two playoff losses simply has not played well enough. Period. However in the first 49ers loss and the loss to the Rams he DID play decent. Not all time great but good enough to win if the defense had done THEIR job throughout the game. But hell no.. When the team loses I am hesitant to leave ANYBODY off the criticism list. But I am equally unwilling to put it all on one player. The game simply is not played that way. Dak could play better. That's a given. So could a lot of others. Hopefully the players understand that and aren't sitting around mad cause Dak or Micah or anybody else didn't bail them out at crucial points of a game. They all need to look in the mirror.

 

[zrinkill]

Yes.. if only that were the case in the Cowboys' losses. Speaking in (mindless) absolutes avails us nothing. In our last two playoff losses simply has not played well enough. Period. However in the first 49ers loss and the loss to the Rams he DID play decent. Not all time great but good enough to win if the defense had done THEIR job throughout the game. But hell no.. When the team loses I am hesitant to leave ANYBODY off the criticism list. But I am equally unwilling to put it all on one player. The game simply is not played that way. Dak could play better. That's a given. So could a lot of others. Hopefully the players understand that and aren't sitting around mad cause Dak or Micah or anybody else didn't bail them out at crucial points of a game. They all need to look in the mirror.

I agree with that ..... but for the last few years the O's super slow starts have hurt any chance we had.

 

[FanofJerry]

You're correct, our defense kicks butt when we're down by double digits and their opponent is just trying to run out the clock. But, when it matters most and the game is just getting started or the game is on the line, our defense folds like a cheap tent! Gang tackling is happening after chunk plays..................LOL!

Disagree

 

[FanofJerry]

No not reaching, QB play had a big effect. I don’t agree with it but it’s the way it is and no GM has to sign a mid tier QB to a high end contract if they don’t want to. You don’t pay 3rd contracts to a QB who has shown the inability to excel in the playoffs, just my belief

Pretty bullet proof post that I am having a hard time finding flaws in.

My opinion is if the QB salary market is considered detrimental to team depth, and you have a QB that you have first hand knowledge of in playoff atmosphere...you should think hard about paying that 3rd contract if you have the playoff data to judge your QB with.

My opinion is Dak would be very hard to replace performance wise. He doesn't have character issues and has a face and personality that sells...hard to move on from all that.

Also, only Philly has pulled off the rookie QB thing...Burrows was close.

I think we start seeing less huge 3rd contracts for non-top-3 QBs.

There is a balancing act somewhere, just don't think I'm smart enough to figure it out

 

[RonnieT24]

I agree with that ..... but for the last few years the O's super slow starts have hurt any chance we had.

No question they need to come out faster. But I have always attributed the slow starts on offense to Kellen Moore and his "feeling out" phase of play calling early in games. I always felt like his "scripted" plays had no rhythm to them. It always looked like he was just trying "get stuff out of the way" so he could go into his genius bag. We never seemed to attack the matchups that favored us. Unfortunately McCarthy seemed to carry some of that forward after Moore was sent packing. Remember back when Lenihan was calling plays the Cowboys scored TDs on their opening drives like 75% of their games? That's why I don't believe that it's "Dak" keeping the offense from coming out hot. The offense came out hot his first 2-3 years in the league when he had no idea what he was doing out there... and somehow 6-7 years in he got dumber? Now we all know those early teams had a dominant running attack which made life easier on Dak and pretty much everybody else including the defense. The way they seem to rebuilding the o-line we might see a reprise of that formula.. and no one will be happier about it than yours truly!

 

[zrinkill]

No question they need to come out faster. But I have always attributed the slow starts on offense to Kellen Moore and his "feeling out" phase of play calling early in games. I always felt like his "scripted" plays had no rhythm to them. It always looked like he was just trying "get stuff out of the way" so he could go into his genius bag. We never seemed to attack the matchups that favored us. Unfortunately McCarthy seemed to carry some of that forward after Moore was sent packing. Remember back when Lenihan was calling plays the Cowboys scored TDs on their opening drives like 75% of their games? That's why I don't believe that it's "Dak" keeping the offense from coming out hot. The offense came out hot his first 2-3 years in the league when he had no idea what he was doing out there... and somehow 6-7 years in he got dumber? Now we all know those early teams had a dominant running attack which made life easier on Dak and pretty much everybody else including the defense. The way they seem to rebuilding the o-line we might see a reprise of that formula.. and no one will be happier about it than yours truly!

I cannot argue with any of that ...... i hope you are right about Dak but that leg is gonna be putvto the test

 

[Chasing6]

Hard on a defense when the offense goes 3 and out every time at the start of the game.

Also hard on the offense when the D gives up 10+ play, 5+ minute, TD drives, multiple times a game, and frequently back to back.

 

[CowboyFrog]

Also hard on the offense when the D gives up 10+ play, 5+ minute, TD drives, multiple times a game, and frequently back to back.

its hard on a defense when your GM doesnt much value stopping the run...lol

 

[Chasing6]

its hard on a defense when your GM doesnt much value stopping the run...lol

All roads lead back to tea leaf reading GM Jethro.

 

[RonnieT24]

I cannot argue with any of that ...... i hope you are right about Dak but that leg is gonna be putvto the test

The thing about the leg is Dak is a WAAAAY better passer now than he was when he came into the league and he does a much better job seeing what the defense is doing and getting into the right play and throwing to the right guy. He is by no means perfect (who is?) but the improvement over his early years is visible to the naked eye. He should NOT be running as much now as he did then. He shouldn't have to. But he can't keep that weapon holstered at all costs like he seems to do sometimes. He's at his best when they let him be a football player not a pocket passer.

 

[Pass2Run]

I think some are too worried about defensive tackle and stopping the run.

If that's you, you should take a look at Eberflus' scheme in action. Here's a Baldy Breakdown of his scheme ..

 

[Bobhaze]

So holding the 49ers to 19 points mostly FGs while the QB throws 2 interceptions and produced 12 points it’s the D’s fault.
23 points it’s the Ds fault they lost to SF the year before, So everyone wants the 85 bears and Ravens D so that it’s 14 points or with pick 6 Dak it’s 7 points, it’s not happening paying dumpster fire vets and spending high dollar on the O side. The D jones like is the kind that plays from a large lead and can Rush the QB unfortunately they can’t do that when the O craps the bed

Brax, it’s both offense and defense. As someone said in another post the Cowboys have not been one of the best 4 teams in the league as has been proven many times over the last decade.

I did the same research on the offense and as I said there Dak and the offense bear responsibility too. What stood in my research about the offense is Dak was terrible the last two playoff games he played (48-32 L to GB and 19-12 L to SF) where he threw 4 of the 6 INTs he’s had in the 5 losses. His first two playoff losses (34-31 to GB and 30-22 to rams) he had 4 TDs and 1 INT. He has seemingly gotten worse as he aged.