Dallas is tied for 6th in points allowed

[TheMarathonContinues]

Playoffs. That's where our defense always catches up with us.

I think its a bit unfair to assume our past defenses failing has anything to do with this current team or defense. This is clearly a different team, different year and different situation. Who's going to destroy this defense? The Falcons? The same Falcons that can't stop anyone?

 

[JD_KaPow]

I think its a bit unfair to assume our past defenses failing has anything to do with this current team or defense. This is clearly a different team, different year and different situation. Who's going to destroy this defense? The Falcons? The same Falcons that can't stop anyone?

Sure, yeah, the Falcons will very likely destroy this defense. Also true that their defense is not good. So you trade scores, and it comes down to the fluky plays or turnovers or big special teams plays. That's a game we could very easily lose.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Sure, yeah, the Falcons will very likely destroy this defense. Also true that their defense is not good. So you trade scores, and it comes down to the fluky plays or turnovers or big special teams plays. That's a game we could very easily lose.

Of course they could lose.

That's the wheel of fate.

There are no guarantees.

And it's one of the things that makes following sports such a kick!

 

[KJJ]

I think its a bit unfair to assume our past defenses failing has anything to do with this current team or defense. This is clearly a different team, different year and different situation. Who's going to destroy this defense? The Falcons? The same Falcons that can't stop anyone?

It's not unfair because the one thing that remains the same from our previous playoff teams the past decade is we continue to struggle against the pass mainly due to our lack of a pass rush. I listed in another post our pass defense rankings the years we get knocked off in the playoffs and we currently rank worse in pass defense than any of those other teams we had. There's really no difference in this defense compared to our previous defenses, it's the same issues every year. As for Atlanta not being able to stop anyone, granted the've had their own share of defensive issues but no one can stop them which is why they're 7-4.

They've had three games over 40 points, including 48 on Carolina and 45 on NO. They give up a lot of points but they score a lot of points so it takes a shootout to beat them. They lost two very close games by a combined total of 5 points. It may take 35+ to beat them and if we can do that we'll be fine but that's a lot to ask of your offense and rookie QB. Philly was the only team to contain their offense and it was due to their pass rush that harassed Ryan all day. Ryan had his worst passing performance of the season vs Philly, however Julio Jones caught 10 passes for 135 yards but they were able to keep him out of the endzone.

 

[DeaconBlues]

It's not unfair because the one thing that remains the same from our previous playoff teams the past decade is we continue to struggle against the pass mainly due to our lack of a pass rush. I listed in another post our pass defense rankings the years we get knocked off in the playoffs and we currently rank worse in pass defense than any of those other teams we had. There's really no difference in this defense compared to our previous defenses, it's the same issues every year. As for Atlanta not being able to stop anyone, granted the've had their own share of defensive issues but no one can stop them which is why they're 7-4.

They've had three games over 40 points, including 48 on Carolina and 45 on NO. They give up a lot of points but they score a lot of points so it takes a shootout to beat them. They lost two very close games by a combined total of 5 points. It may take 35+ to beat them and if we can do that we'll be fine but that's a lot to ask of your offense and rookie QB. Philly was the only team to contain their offense and it was due to their pass rush that harassed Ryan all day. Ryan had his worst passing performance of the season vs Philly, however Julio Jones caught 10 passes for 135 yards but they were able to keep him out of the endzone.

All that, and they've lost 4 games. Wonders.

 

[KJJ]

All that, and they've lost 4 games. Wonders.

They give up a lot of points and have to outscore people but they do score a lot of points. You can't allow Ryan to sit back all day.

 

[dallasdave]

You are what your record says you are. Sure they can get exposed, but it means the other team will have to patiently drive down the field and keep the ball away from the Cowboys offense.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Sure, yeah, the Falcons will very likely destroy this defense. Also true that their defense is not good. So you trade scores, and it comes down to the fluky plays or turnovers or big special teams plays. That's a game we could very easily lose.

Well losing on a fluke play.....no shame in that. That happens. Seahawks lost on a fluke play. You can lose on fluke plays non matter how good or bad your defense is.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

It's not unfair because the one thing that remains the same from our previous playoff teams the past decade is we continue to struggle against the pass mainly due to our lack of a pass rush. I listed in another post our pass defense rankings the years we get knocked off in the playoffs and we currently rank worse in pass defense than any of those other teams we had. There's really no difference in this defense compared to our previous defenses, it's the same issues every year. As for Atlanta not being able to stop anyone, granted the've had their own share of defensive issues but no one can stop them which is why they're 7-4.

They've had three games over 40 points, including 48 on Carolina and 45 on NO. They give up a lot of points but they score a lot of points so it takes a shootout to beat them. They lost two very close games by a combined total of 5 points. It may take 35+ to beat them and if we can do that we'll be fine but that's a lot to ask of your offense and rookie QB. Philly was the only team to contain their offense and it was due to their pass rush that harassed Ryan all day. Ryan had his worst passing performance of the season vs Philly, however Julio Jones caught 10 passes for 135 yards but they were able to keep him out of the endzone.

Its unfair because the personnel is different and the coaching staff is better and different. Not only that but the secondary is far better than its been. They are 4th in points allowed. When have they done that in past previous years with the teams you're comparing them to?

You know what team we were struggle with? One that can defend the run, run the football and defend the pass. I don't see that team out there but maybe i'm missing someone?

 

[Verdict]

I mentioned the draft didn't fall for us with our first pick for a defensive player but there was plenty of opportunity with with the 34th over all pick and we gambled it on an injured player who hasn't played a down for us and may may never play for us. We threw away a #2 last season on a pothead so these calculated risks haven't been working out.

We've made smart, safe decisions with our first picks which is why our offense is so good. The best decision is to draft healthy, good character players that you can count on. It's easy to see why our defense lags so far behind our offense.

I agree that the Gregory pick hasn't helped us, and the Jaylon pick hasn't paid dividends yet either. But I am not sure who else they would have taken with those picks. I am not sure we would have chosen a defensive player at a position of need with those picks. It is hard to say.

But we do have a history of hits with second round injuries. Sean Lee and Kevin Burnett were both injured players who slid in the draft if I remember correctly.

 

[Verdict]

The eyeball test tells me that our defensive backs (when healthy) are playing better than any defensive backfield we have had in recent memory, and its not even close. Having said that, we gave up far too many yards to the Skins. I think a lot of it was due to the one lapse on Brown, who I am not overly concerned about.

I am concerned about the health of Church, Scandrick, Wilcox, and most importantly, Mo.

 

[links18]

One of Washington's TDs was because of a rookie mistake (Brown) and the other was a team playing with a two score lead. The goal on Washington's last possession was not to keep them from scoring, but to make them use a lot of time doing it. And, that strategy worked out fine. A win is a win. When you have a ball control offense, the clock is your friend on defense.

Are you saying we let them score? In only the rarest of circumstances, the goal on defense is always to keep the other team from scoring. Make no mistake, we just couldn't stop them from scoring in the 4th quarter.

 

[CATCH17]

Atlanta and New England for starters. Also better hope New Orleans can't find a way in.

The Giants btw usually beat us when we fail to get QB pressure minus some Romo heroics.

Ahhhh Atlanta...

So does having a awful defense apply to Atlanta or just Dallas because their defense is worse than ours.

 

[CATCH17]

Sure, yeah, the Falcons will very likely destroy this defense. Also true that their defense is not good. So you trade scores, and it comes down to the fluky plays or turnovers or big special teams plays. That's a game we could very easily lose.

You could lose with a great defense too.

There are no guarantees.


The fact is we got just as good of a shot as anyone if we get a bye and HFA.

 

[JD_KaPow]

Are you saying we let them score? In only the rarest of circumstances, the goal on defense is always to keep the other team from scoring. Make no mistake, we just couldn't stop them from scoring in the 4th quarter.

No, he's saying we were in a prevent, which is designed to give up yards but keep everything in bounds and in front of the defenders. They scored, but it took them 15 plays and over 4 and a half minutes to do it.

How does a prevent differ from our usual defense? Well, I agree it's pretty hard to tell sometimes.

 

[JD_KaPow]

You could lose with a great defense too.

There are no guarantees.


The fact is we got just as good of a shot as anyone if we get a bye and HFA.

Well, sure. We'd have a better shot if we had a better defense. But we don't, so we'll see what happens.

 

[links18]

Ahhhh Atlanta...

So does having a awful defense apply to Atlanta or just Dallas because their defense is worse than ours.

That game will be won by which ever offense screws up less.

 

[JD_KaPow]

That game will be won by which ever offense screws up less.

Or which special teams makes a play. Fortunately, the Falcons' return teams aren't special the way,say, the Vikings' and Eagles' are.

 

[CATCH17]

Well, sure. We'd have a better shot if we had a better defense. But we don't, so we'll see what happens.

Here's the thing...

If you have a better defense you're probably taking away from something else.. That's how teams in the NFL look. Every team has a weakness. It seems like we are pretty good at minimizing our weakness because we don't give up TDs and we cash in on loooooong drives with a explosive run game and a do it all QB.

 

[willia451]

A lot of defenses cant hold with the game on the line though. Even the good ones.

Yeah. You're right. I was going to write a book in response. But what's the point? The proof of your statement is there for all to see on the field of play.

Just have to keep our fingers crossed the offense continues to be killer.