Before going off on the Defense watch the Garrett presser

[MRV52]

Eventually, the offense will struggle and we will need the defense to win a game down the stretch. You counting on them to do that?

Yes. When they needed to stop a team this year they have. Surprise!!! Most of you don't understand what they are doing here. They will give you the yardage and make you use up the clock by nickle and diming down the whole length of the field. Plan was brilliant yesterday, but for one play on a breakdown. Those passing stats are so skewed when you look at the whole picture. They laid off of them so much for the entire game especially the Commanders last drive. We have a defense that can take us to the Super Bowl.

 

[MRV52]

I am happy we got the WIN. It was a big deal. I knew Washington would be tough.

Quite honestly, we got outplayed today. If Washington hit the two missed field goals we would have likely lost.

Again, I am glad we won this game, but we will most likely not win the super bowl if we play the way we did today in the playoffs. We need to be at least +1 in turnover ratio, or be very effective on third down.

Having said all of the foregoing you could also say that if we had one more stop on third down (the one I am thinking of we had the guy stopped short and poor tackling gave him a gift first down) the game could have started rolling out way more than it did.

A couple of plays are usually the difference between winning and losing. I am glad this year we are making them instead of the other team.

We got outplayed. LOL

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Only Garrett would walk away from this game after giving up 500 yards with NO sacks and NO turovers (for 4 straight weeks) and say "Just what I was hoping for..."

He should be challenging these guys because that unit just got embarrassed IMO

I'm still skeptical about Garrett, but when you're a head coach you don't want to beat up on your players too much in public. They know they didn't play well and this isn't the time to be calling people out.

I did see this as part of the gameplan when watching the 2nd half. It seemed like they were trying to get more blitzes up the A-Gap early on with more zone coverage. Then Wilcox got hurt and we decided to go back to more Cover 2 and Cover 1 and trying to stop the run and prevent the deep ball. I think at the very least, they felt that if they could prevent the deep ball that we cold out-score them in the end.

The issue is we should still be able to get pressure even if we are trying to prevent the deep passes and we didn't. We don't have anybody at DE that can beat their man 1-on-1 with any consistency. I think McClain, T. Crawford and especially Irving are better than average if not quite good. But unless you're an Aaron Donald type you're just not going to get much penetration unless one of the DE's shows some competency.





YR

 

[MRV52]

Dont discount those 2 missed FGs

twas not a game to hang a hat on for the D

Don't discount the last drive by kneeling down and we got 0 PTS. Don't discount Dez missing a pass he should of caught which would have led to minimal 3 pts but maybe a TD. Don't dismiss Dez torched their DB and would have been an easy 60 yard TD but Dak never saw him. IF, IF, IF. They lost were dominated on the field were it counts, and we were 2 scores up on them most of the game. Stats are nice but WINS are better. This game was never really close to what that score indicates.

 

[MRV52]

Them playing soft is smart.

Them not tackling well is frustrating.

They win by a much bigger margin if they tackle like they have in most games up to this point.

Maybe 3 games in 12 days had something to do with that. We just went through a rough 3 games and we are hurting on Defense.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I'm still skeptical about Garrett, but when you're a head coach you don't want to beat up on your players too much in public. They know they didn't play well and this isn't the time to be calling people out.

I did see this as part of the gameplan when watching the 2nd half. It seemed like they were trying to get more blitzes up the A-Gap early on with more zone coverage. Then Wilcox got hurt and we decided to go back to more Cover 2 and Cover 1 and trying to stop the run and prevent the deep ball. I think at the very least, they felt that if they could prevent the deep ball that we cold out-score them in the end.

The issue is we should still be able to get pressure even if we are trying to prevent the deep passes and we didn't. We don't have anybody at DE that can beat their man 1-on-1 with any consistency. I think McClain, T. Crawford and especially Irving are better than average if not quite good. But unless you're an Aaron Donald type you're just not going to get much penetration unless one of the DE's shows some competency.





YR

Exactly right.

There's a lack of pass rushing talent at DE... And it won't be addressed until the offseason.

Until then they'll simply have to win with what they have.

The Wilcox injury was very big. And then you had Jones out there hobbling about also.

The secondary is really nicked up.

 

[Plankton]

Maybe it was supposed to be soft but you realize that isn't actually the case right? First we play each team in the NFC East (the best division in football) twice. We played the Steelers, and Ravens who most believe are two of the best teams despite their records. We played Green Bay, who at the time had the #1 run defense in the league. Part of the reason that these teams have the records they do is because we gave them the L and showed other teams what to do. The only true ez games would be Cleveland, Chicago, and San Fran.... but everyone else gets to play them too so that nullifies us having a soft schedule excluding everyone else. This team is legit and has earned respect.

Sigh.

Perhaps you and others need to read the actual point that I responded to. It was in response to a post from Catch regarding the pass defense. He replied to those who had indicated that the poor pass defense would potentially be a problem in the playoffs. He said that "If it was going to be a huge problem, it would have been already."

I then responded that the softness of the schedule is a mitigating factor, and you and others flip out.

Believe this, the Cowboys have no control over who is on the schedule. None. They have been the better team in 10 of 11 weeks, and the record reflects this. You also never throw back a win in the NFL, no matter who the opponent is.

That being said, perhaps the reason why the leaky pass defense hasn't been a problem as of yet is due to the fact that the Cowboys have faced few teams that could actually take advantage of it.

So far this season, the Cowboy opponents rank as follows in team passer rating:

• Giants (1 game) - 2016 passer rating - 88.3 (19th in the NFL). Vs. Dallas - 110.3
• Commanders (2 games) - 2016 passer rating - 101.7 (5th in the NFL). Vs. Dallas - 84.0 (Wk 2), 120.7 (Wk. 12)
• Bears - 2016 passer rating - 86.2 (20th in the NFL). Vs. Dallas - 93.7
• 49ers - 2016 passer rating - 77.6 (28th in the NFL). Vs. Dallas - 91.9
• Bengals - 2016 passer rating - 91.2 (16th in the NFL). Vs. Dallas - 104.6
• Packers - 2016 passer rating - 94.0 (12th in the NFL). Vs. Dallas - 90.8
• Eagles - 2016 passer rating - 84.0 (23rd in the NFL). Vs. Dallas - 89.4
• Browns - 2016 passer rating - 76.7 (29th in the NFL). Vs. Dallas - 104.4
• Steelers - 2016 passer rating - 96.5 (10th in the NFL). Vs. Dallas - 125.4
• Ravens - 2016 passer rating - 79.9 (26th in the NFL). Vs. Dallas - 98.4

In only two games this year have the Cowboys held an opposing team to a passer rating lower than their season average. In fact, many times, the opposition significantly exceeded their normal rating. And, this was done with facing only two teams in the top 10 of the league in passer rating. This is what I mean by a soft schedule. The Cowboys have not faced a significant number of top rated passing offenses.

And, despite this slate, the Cowboy defense has given up more passing yards than any other team, ranks 28th in defensive passer rating, ranks 30th in interceptions, and 31st in opposing completion percentage allowed. This is a bad pass defense. Where they have succeeded is holding the opposition to 19.4 PPG, good for 10th in the league. Some of this is the defense not breaking, some of it is the incompetence of their opposition to this point. Out of the remaining teams on the schedule, only Detroit is in the top 10 in passer rating, so the competition in the regular season will not be significantly better than what they have already seen.

When they face teams in the playoffs that have the ability to take advantage of this, this will be the greatest factor as to whether the Cowboys win or ultimately fall short. Against teams like Seattle (8th in passer rating), Atlanta (2nd in passer rating), Detroit (9th in passer rating), the Cowboy defense will have their hands full trying to slow them up. It puts a ridiculous burden on the offense to continue being efficient and maintain a high point per possession average.

 

[MRV52]

If anyone thinks the Cowboys gave up way too much passing yardage then here is the solution:

Pick Kirk Cousins for your Fantasy team.

Pick Dak Prescot for your Reality Team.

 

[big dog cowboy]

In only two games this year have the Cowboys held an opposing team to a passer rating lower than their season average. In fact, many times, the opposition significantly exceeded their normal rating. And, this was done with facing only two teams in the top 10 of the league in passer rating. This is what I mean by a soft schedule. The Cowboys have not faced a significant number of top rated passing offenses.

I understand the point you are making. But behind ahead in the 4th quarter and allowing a team to dink and dunk down the field as Washington did yesterday running a bend but don't break defense is going to drive up QB's ratings.

 

[DallasDW00ds0n]

I understand the point you are making. But behind ahead in the 4th quarter and allowing a team to dink and dunk down the field as Washington did yesterday running a bend but don't break defense is going to drive up QB's ratings.

Its a good point, but a couple drives dont equate the whole games total. Besides, the issue is offenses are finishing their drives against us in the 4th. We have no 4th qrter defense besides rush 3-4 and drop everyone in a zone.

 

[Plankton]

I understand the point you are making. But behind ahead in the 4th quarter and allowing a team to dink and dunk down the field as Washington did yesterday running a bend but don't break defense is going to drive up QB's ratings.

Conversely, you would think that by not having to honor the run, and being able to pin their ears back and rush the passer, that they would create more pressure and get more sacks. You would also think that they may run into a few interceptions by accident, but that isn't happening either. The results have been fine - they have kept teams off the scoreboard. There is reason for concern, though, when the competition improves in the playoffs.

 

[Shotgun Dave]

They have a formula. The DJack play almost threw a chink in it but they know how to hold a lead as stress-inducing as it might be for all involved.

I have to say...this game plan we seem to have certainly makes for great viewing. Dallas is blowing up the ranks in viewership.

 

[ActualCowboysFan]

We got outplayed. LOL

Step 1 Lead the whole game.
Step 2 Give up 6 points in three quarters.
Step 3 Watch the concern trolls come out and consider Dallas the lucky ones after a 10th straight win by focusing on stats put up against an umbrella


Chicago
Cincinnati
GB
Pittsburgh
Wash

All ran up yardage when games were basically in hand without severe breakdowns. It ain't pretty but they're not concerned with yards. Only wins.

 

[fishspill]

No one is saying we are playing to get no sacks.

The fact is we don't have much of a pass rush. Trying to manufacture one with blitzing would make a questionable secondary even more susceptible. So we are doing what gives us the best chance to win as structured. And it's working.

Think about it. We don't get pressure with four linemen. What do we do? We go to three linemen. Building the defense to keep everyone in front of them and tackle immediately. It works. Trying anything different with our personnel would be insane. Claiborne and Church are out, putting two lesser secondary players in larger roles. Scandrick is hurting but trying to tough it out. Jones was limping all over the place. Do you really want to put them into more man coverage situations?

We are on the same page. Tackling well makes this game look much better. When we sent extra rushers along with the 3-man line Cousins tended to hit for big gains. Also Reed is one of the toughest matchups in the NFL and gives them an element almost no team other than NE and KC have, IMO.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

You play with the cards you're dealt, no one is saying this is a complete game by the boys, it is the strategy that was needed with the talent the defense puts on the field.
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016112401/2016/REG12/Commanders@cowboys#menu=gameinfo|contentId:0ap3000000745691&tab=videos

Well yes. At the end of the game the defense was asked to protect a two touchdown lead with just a few minutes on the clock.

If the defense was anything north of absolutely abysmal all game that wouldn't have been necessary as we would have won going away.

Historically teams win 50 percent of their 1 score games... That's not team specific... And individual team's and coaches have all regressed in time to this 50/50 ratio. We're skating by at the moment but need to be putting teams away.

This defense is preventing that from happening.

Let us pray.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Step 1 Lead the whole game.
Step 2 Give up 6 points in three quarters.
Step 3 Watch the concern trolls come out and consider Dallas the lucky ones after a 10th straight win by focusing on stats put up against an umbrella


Chicago
Cincinnati
GB
Pittsburgh
Wash

All ran up yardage when games were basically in hand without severe breakdowns. It ain't pretty but they're not concerned with yards. Only wins.

We were losing the Pittsburgh game in the final minute.

 

[Plankton]

We were losing the Pittsburgh game in the final minute.

No need to let facts get in the way of a rant, right?

 

[ActualCowboysFan]

We were losing the Pittsburgh game in the final minute.

Due to a severe breakdown. And on the final drive they ran up a ton of pointless yards.

 

[ActualCowboysFan]

No need to let facts get in the way of a rant, right?

No need to let wins get in the way of a narrative.

 

[Plankton]

No need to let wins get in the way of a narrative.

And what narrative might that be? One where I have repeatedly praised the team for winning, but am open enough to recognize a problem spot on the team?

I have yet to see you make an actual football point in any post of yours. Literally, all that you do is complain about others posts when they aren't 100% positive about the team. When you tried, you couldn't remember that the Cowboys were trailing the Steelers going down to :09 on the game clock.