2nd / 5th ranked D

[Established1971]

2nd in points against
5th in the official defense ranking

of course the playoff chase and overall team improvement are far more important but lets go D

 

[ScipioCowboy]

And 4th in points per drive.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

@percyhoward can tell us what’s good and what’s concerning.

 

[endersdragon]

What a bunch of scrubs!

 

[DuceizBak]

You can tell just by looking that the Ravens and Cowboys are the two best defenses in my honest opinion, followed by the bears.

 

[RoyalCowboy]

4th Rushing Defense

 

[DFWJC]

And young too

 

[Hawkeye0202]

2nd in points against
5th in the official defense ranking

of course the playoff chase and overall team improvement are far more important but lets go D

Huge.........according to some, this is the most important defensive stat other than turnovers.

 

[ClappingCarrot]

When the Ravens get murdered by the Chiefs this weekend, we will have the number one points against defense.

Book it.

 

[gimmesix]

What gets me about this defense is that we still don't have an established complement to Lawrence on the defensive line. We're getting pressure from a variety of players but Lawrence is the only consistent threat.

I think the main thing that has made this defense better than last year's is the play we're getting from the linebacker group and putting Byron Jones at corner. And it's amazing to me that we've gotten that mostly with Sean Lee sidelined. If he's healthy, this could be the best three-man LB corps in the league.

 

[QuincyCarterEra]

More importantly we've climbed up to 6th in weighted defensive DVOA

 

[Nova]

@percyhoward can tell us what’s good and what’s concerning.

I’m not the legend/myth/fable @percyhoward , but it’s concerning that our Opponent Passer Rating is still a shade below average.

We rank 18th and typically SB winners rank around top 5.

There are 5-6 other teams that are playoff contenders that are ahead of us, and 4 teams that hover around that top 5 range.

The good news? We’re improving. At the beginning of November we were 26th.

And the Giants proved in 2011 (and Colts in 2006) that teams can elevate to a SB caliber pass defense in the playoffs.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

I’m not the legend/myth/fable @percyhoward , but it’s concerning that our Opponent Passer Rating is still a shade below average.

We rank 18th and typically SB winners rank around top 5.

There are 5-6 other teams that are playoff contenders that are ahead of us, and 4 teams that hover around that top 5 range.

The good news? We’re improving. At the beginning of November we were 26th.

And the Giants proved in 2011 (and Colts in 2006) that teams can elevate to a SB caliber pass defense in the playoffs.

This is the one metric I’ve been wary about and why I’ve been hesitant to use the word “elite.” However, after what they did to Brees, if they can maintain it, they’re well on their way.

 

[Cowboys22]

Good start I guess. Let me know when they are 1st across the board. Then I’ll be truely impressed.

 

[Nova]

Huge.........according to some, this is the most important defensive stat other than turnovers.

Points per drive is more important to me. It’s a better indicator of actual performance.

The 2016 Cowboys finished 5th in defensive scoring, but obviously weren’t a top 5 defense.

Luckily we rank 4th in PPD this year.

‘Cause we good.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

Points per drive is more important to me. It’s a better indicator of actual performance.

The 2016 Cowboys finished 5th in defensive scoring, but obviously weren’t a top 5 defense.

Luckily we rank 4th in PPD this year.

‘Cause we good.

I often wonder if the high passer ratings are a symptom of Marinelli. I mean, he fervently believes in giving up the short pass and swarming to the ball.

 

[Kevinicus]

What gets me about this defense is that we still don't have an established complement to Lawrence on the defensive line. We're getting pressure from a variety of players but Lawrence is the only consistent threat.

I think the main thing that has made this defense better than last year's is the play we're getting from the linebacker group and putting Byron Jones at corner. And it's amazing to me that we've gotten that mostly with Sean Lee sidelined. If he's healthy, this could be the best three-man LB corps in the league.

I think Gregory has started to develop into that since he got his knee scoped.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Points per drive is more important to me. It’s a better indicator of actual performance.

The 2016 Cowboys finished 5th in defensive scoring, but obviously weren’t a top 5 defense.

Luckily we rank 4th in PPD this year.

‘Cause we good.

To be honest, I know very little about this stat. Is it TDs vs FGs vs TOPs?

 

[gimmesix]

I think Gregory has started to develop into that since he got his knee scoped.

He may get there, but right now, he's not providing pressure consistently. Instead, he usually has a few good pass rushes per game. Would be nice if he would take the next step up and if Irving would get his head and body straight. Imaging this defense with three lineman who can provide pressure down after down.

 

[conner01]

What gets me about this defense is that we still don't have an established complement to Lawrence on the defensive line. We're getting pressure from a variety of players but Lawrence is the only consistent threat.

I think the main thing that has made this defense better than last year's is the play we're getting from the linebacker group and putting Byron Jones at corner. And it's amazing to me that we've gotten that mostly with Sean Lee sidelined. If he's healthy, this could be the best three-man LB corps in the league.

We don’t blitz much but when we do it works
The LB spot is set for a decade
Jones is playing like a man that’s figured out CB gets paid more than safety lol