This year's defense is worse than 1989, that 1-15 year!

[SFloridaCowboy]

In 1989, the Dallas Cowboys' defense struggled significantly in a 16 game schedule.

Points Against:

1989 393 24.6/g 24th of 28.

2026 THIS YEAR 27.7/GAME POINTS A GAME AVG

1989: 1991 rushing yards given up in 16 games, 124.4 rushing yards per game, but only 3.67 per carry average.

THIS YEAR: 162 YARDS PER GAME, 5.1 YARDS PER CARRY

But at least, the 1989 had Jim jeffocoat with 11.5 sacks.

 

[jazzcat22]

How about passing yards?
If I remember, the pass Defesne in 1989 was good, that was because the run Defesne was so bad, teams did not need to pass.
They got a lead, and just ran the ball.

 

[nhcowboyfan]

In 1989, the Dallas Cowboys' defense struggled significantly in a 16 game schedule.

Points Against:

1989 393 24.6/g 24th of 28.

2026 THIS YEAR 27.7/GAME POINTS A GAME AVG

1989: 1991 rushing yards given up in 16 games, 124.4 rushing yards per game, but only 3.67 per carry average.

THIS YEAR: 162 YARDS PER GAME, 5.1 YARDS PER CARRY

But at least, the 1989 had Jim jeffocoat with 11.5 sacks.

Jim Jeffcoat is one of my favorite unsung Cowboys. He got to play alongside the likes of Randy White, Too Tall Jones, Charles Haley, and Russell Maryland. Ended up with 2 SB rings.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

In 1989, the Dallas Cowboys' defense struggled significantly in a 16 game schedule.

Points Against:

1989 393 24.6/g 24th of 28.

2026 THIS YEAR 27.7/GAME POINTS A GAME AVG

1989: 1991 rushing yards given up in 16 games, 124.4 rushing yards per game, but only 3.67 per carry average.

THIS YEAR: 162 YARDS PER GAME, 5.1 YARDS PER CARRY

But at least, the 1989 had Jim jeffocoat with 11.5 sacks.

Ah, yes. The team that Plastic Man left us before he scurried off to the golf course.

 

[Cowboys5217]

How about passing yards?
If I remember, the pass Defesne in 1989 was good, that was because the run Defesne was so bad, teams did not need to pass.
They got a lead, and just ran the ball.

Ranked 18th in rushing defense.
Ranked 20th in passing defense.

 

[big dog cowboy]

This year's defense is worse than 1989, that 1-15 year!

You can't do that. The NFL game has changed considerably in the last 37 years.

It's much more geared for more yards and more scoring than in those days.

Saying this defense allows more yards and points than 1989 makes perfect sense. It should by design.

 

[dupree89]

You can't do that. The NFL game has changed considerably in the last 37 years.

It's much more geared for more yards and more scoring than in those days.

Saying this defense allows more yards and points than 1989 makes perfect sense. It should by design.

 

[Flamma]

I was going to bring up 1989. The team was less talented. I only got to watch about half the games, including their win, but never once did I think I saw a lack of effort.

 

[TequilaCowboy]

The year of the revolving door and Jimmy decided to tank for high picks and rebuilding.. amazeballs......

 

[Whirlwin]

The year of the revolving door and Jimmy decided to tank for high picks and rebuilding.. amazeballs......

He manipulated Minnesota and the NFL, if he did that today, I think they would’ve find him draft picks
But anyways, we’re 1/4 into the season right now, comparisons don’t work yet

 

[SFloridaCowboy]

The reason the team went 1-15 was not by design. He had a projected #1 type WR in Michael Irvin, a solid #2 in Kelvin Martin, who was also a great punt returner. He had the NFC rushing champion in Herschel Walker. He had a very good, athletic and productive receiving TE in Doug Cosbie.

First, Cosbie's knees gave put on him before the season started. Then both Irvin and martin had ACL tears, out for the season. He had no firepower for his rookie QB. So Jimmy decided to make his great heist involving Herschel Walker to build for the future.

 

[LowTech]

I remember that year all to well. A Deadskin win was all we had

 

[Cowboys5217]

The reason the team went 1-15 was not by design. He had a projected #1 type WR in Michael Irvin, a solid #2 in Kelvin Martin, who was also a great punt returner. He had the NFC rushing champion in Herschel Walker. He had a very good, athletic and productive receiving TE in Doug Cosbie.

First, Cosbie's knees gave put on him before the season started. Then both Irvin and martin had ACL tears, out for the season. He had no firepower for his rookie QB. So Jimmy decided to make his great heist involving Herschel Walker to build for the future.

Jimmy said he knew that the team needed to be rebuilt and that they needed lots of draft picks to do it. He damn well intended to tank 1989 as it was the only way to rebuild the team as fast and efficiently as they did. He's talked about it plenty of times.

 

[Cowboys5217]

I remember that year all to well. A Deadskin win was all we had

Yeah, but that was the best team to get our only win against. It pairs nicely with the 1982 win over Washington that prevented them from having an undefeated season.

 

[Smith22]

You can't do that. The NFL game has changed considerably in the last 37 years.

It's much more geared for more yards and more scoring than in those days.

Saying this defense allows more yards and points than 1989 makes perfect sense. It should by design.

Go tell the Vikings defense, because they don't seem to care that we are in 2026.

 

[DFWJC]

In 1989, the Dallas Cowboys' defense struggled significantly in a 16 game schedule.

Points Against:

1989 393 24.6/g 24th of 28.

2026 THIS YEAR 27.7/GAME POINTS A GAME AVG

1989: 1991 rushing yards given up in 16 games, 124.4 rushing yards per game, but only 3.67 per carry average.

THIS YEAR: 162 YARDS PER GAME, 5.1 YARDS PER CARRY

But at least, the 1989 had Jim jeffocoat with 11.5 sacks.

There are 7 teams THIS YEAR giving up more point the Cowboys, and 1 more giving up more yards, thru 5 games

You cannot compare yardage or points totals (offense or defense) across eras. The rules were different.

 

[DandyDon52]

The year of the revolving door and Jimmy decided to tank for high picks and rebuilding.. amazeballs......

Yes jimmy wanted the #1 pick, so he decided early on to just tank that first year.
Plus tanking helped him sell the herschel deal, it all made sense, bad team needs players and draft picks.

 

[fivetwos]

Yes jimmy wanted the #1 pick, so he decided early on to just tank that first year.
Plus tanking helped him sell the herschel deal, it all made sense, bad team needs players and draft picks.

You should read Jimmys book.

 

[buybuydandavis]

In 1989, the Dallas Cowboys' defense struggled significantly in a 16 game schedule.

Points Against:

1989 393 24.6/g 24th of 28.

2026 THIS YEAR 27.7/GAME POINTS A GAME AVG

1989: 1991 rushing yards given up in 16 games, 124.4 rushing yards per game, but only 3.67 per carry average.

THIS YEAR: 162 YARDS PER GAME, 5.1 YARDS PER CARRY

But at least, the 1989 had Jim jeffocoat with 11.5 sacks.

I liked 89.
Young guys trying hard and getting better.
Much more fun than old guys phoning it in and getting worse.

 

[Rockport]

In 1989, the Dallas Cowboys' defense struggled significantly in a 16 game schedule.

Points Against:

1989 393 24.6/g 24th of 28.

2026 THIS YEAR 27.7/GAME POINTS A GAME AVG

1989: 1991 rushing yards given up in 16 games, 124.4 rushing yards per game, but only 3.67 per carry average.

THIS YEAR: 162 YARDS PER GAME, 5.1 YARDS PER CARRY

But at least, the 1989 had Jim jeffocoat with 11.5 sacks.

Different era so it’s an apples to oranges comparison. Much less passing back then so less big plays and less scoring.