When is the last time this team put it's trust in the defense

batman36

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I don't know the answer to that question. Well, maybe last season in Seattle, with Rolando McClain's interception.
 

lqmac1

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Week 7 when we are fully healthy. I think this defense is going to win us 2 -3 games until Romo comes back. If we can stay healthy that late-season push should be very exciting for us heading into the playoffs.
 

darthseinfeld

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Good answers. But I agree in principle with the thread's point. It's been forever since this team fielded a top defense. I hate it so much.

I think we will see one the 2nd half of the season
 

Idgit

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I think we will see one the 2nd half of the season

Maybe. I had high hopes coming in. It does feel like we've backslid a bit early here the last two weeks. But then, we're also missing some pieces. The whole year feels like things haven't clicked yet. If they do, though, we'll be a dangerous team on both sides of the ball.
 

Deep_South

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With the players we're getting back we might be able to give the Pats some real problems on Sunday, but with everyone back who is coming back available after the bye except Tony, Seattle is going to be in deep trouble - like maybe zero points trouble, IMO. With our DL cutting down on the time opposing quarterbacks have to make a play, I think the rest of our defense will find it much easier to keep track of the pass receivers and running backs coming at them and will play much better.

In their final drive in regulation Brees called a crossing route that would take at least 4.5 seconds to develop, because he knew he was in no danger at all from our pass rushers. Those days will soon be over.
 

Idgit

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By the way, thank you, OP, for this not turning out to be the 'do we sign Christan Ponder' thread I was afraid it was going to be when I opened it up.
 

KJJ

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When is the last time this team put it's trust in the defense to carry them to a few wins and it actually delivered?

That's a tough one to answer because the last time the Cowboys had a defense that could be trusted to win games they had a terrific offense that could win games. I can't remember a few game span where the defense had to win games. You would have to go back to the great 90s teams to find a Cowboys defense that was good enough to win a few games. In the Cowboys first SB win over Buffalo in 92 the defense forced 9 turnovers but the offense was terrific that day as well.

The Cowboys great teams of the 70s and the 90s were very well balanced offensively and defensively. The best defense I can remember the Cowboys playing in recent memory would have to be the final month of the 09 season. The defense ended up saving the game vs the 13-0 Saints with a Demarcus Ware strip sack of Drew Brees. The defense closed out that season with back to back shutouts of Washington and Philly.
 

KJJ

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I'm not sure any of us will still be around the next time the Cowboys have a defense they can trust to carry the team to a few wins.
 

Rogerthat12

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Once we get Randy back and assuming we have do not have any other significant injuries to the defense, we will be full strength and shall see what this defense can do.

As it has been up until this point, the defense for the most part, can not be counted on to carry the team.
 

Gameover

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I don't know the answer to that question. Well, maybe last season in Seattle, with Rolando McClain's interception.

Cowboys made defensive plays to close out victories last season vs Titans, Rams, Seattle, Eagles, both Giants wins, Bears,Texans , Lions to name a few off top!

Relied on it to single handily win games? 2008 and some in 2009, would be your best bet. They played one of their best defensive games I've seen the past 15 years vs Rodgers(2009) @ GB and they still lost because the offense did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

Is there great defense being played in the league? Other than Denver?

Our problem is were lining up with too many guys on the defensive line who CANNOT play.

We need two more quality pieces up front even with everybody healthy.
 
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AzorAhai

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You have to have a truly elite defense for them to carry the team to wins single handedly without fluke plays like pick 6/Fumble return TDs. I mean a truly elite defense. IMO, you can't have that without an absolutely dominant DL and solid players in the secondary or a very good DL with an Elite FS/CB/LB combo. It's probably been decades. To be honest you rarely see that good of a defense on any of the 32 teams. In recent memory the Bears, I think around 2006-2007 led Rex Grossman to a SB and the early 2000s TB team that led Brad Johnson to a SB come to mind.

If your premise is a defense capable of being a huge factor/the main factor in a 2-3 game stretch the 2nd or 3rd year under Wade was good enough to do that. To actually depend on a defense to practically singlehandedly carry a team, even for a few games? Thats going to go way back.
 

camelboy

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Since I am a defense guy and enjoy defenses more than offenses, for a long time now I am waiting to use the "Doom Day Defense" phrase again, and I am still waiting.. When can we have a top 5 defense or even THE top defense?

:cool:
 
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