3rd Downs Will Define This Game

[ItzKelz]

On both sides of the balls.

Over the last 3 weeks we have nearly converted 50% of all 3rd downs on offense; this must continue to have a chance against the Saints.

For the season we have been one of the worse teams in the NFL on stopping 3rd down conversions on offense; this must not continue against Saints.

Win, lose or draw....these are the stats that will reflect the outcome the most.

Thoughts?

 

[dragon_mikal]

The only way the Cowboys win this game is if they play a perfect 60 minutes of football and the Saints implode. I’m talking long drives that end in TDs for the Cowboys and 3+ turnovers by Brees and company.

It’s possible. Any given Sunday is real.

 

[Machete]

Conversions of 3rd downs is a start. Scoring TDs instead of FGs is right up there too.

 

[Stash]

Conversions of 3rd downs is a start. Scoring TDs instead of FGs is right up there too.

This is what I was going to mention, red zone efficiency.

Take a look at this disparity:

https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/red-zone-scoring-pct

73% for New Orleans compared to 53% for Dallas.

There's the deciding factor for me.

 

[Sydla]

Our 3rd down defense is atrocious.

Which doesn't bode well for us in his game.

 

[Stash]

Our 3rd down defense is atrocious.

Which doesn't bode well for us in his game.

https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/opponent-third-down-conversion-pct

29th.

 

[Denim Chicken]

https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/opponent-third-down-conversion-pct

29th.

Terrible. Seem like opponents are always finding the soft spot in Zone on 3rd Downs--WR wide open.

 

[Machete]

This is what I was going to mention, red zone efficiency.

Take a look at this disparity:

https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/red-zone-scoring-pct

73% for New Orleans compared to 53% for Dallas.

There's the deciding factor for me.

Couldn't. Agree. More.

 

[Stash]

Terrible. Seem like opponents are always finding the soft spot in Zone on 3rd Downs--WR wide open.

Tennessee sure did. And that's the performance that really scares me going into this game. The Titans converted about 80% of their third downs against us. That's awful.

And as much as I love this defense, they don't handle third downs or success well overall. They got up 31-13 on Washington and let that team get right back into the game.

 

[Verdict]

Points will define this game. If we score more points we will win the game. If not we will lose.

If the Saints never get to a 3rd down we will get trounced. You never really know how these games will shake out.

Dallas could win a high scoring game with a few turnovers going their way.

Dallas could win a time of possession eating game with efficiency.

Dallas' D could just manhandle the Saints and hand the victory to the Cowboys.

We could get "blowed out" as Emmitt Smith used to say.

I just hope we get the W.

 

[jazzcat22]

Dak must play another turnover free game.
Does not need to play a perfect game, but just no turnovers.

Control the trenches. This goes with what others said. Win 3rd downs on both sides of the ball.

But it all starts on 1st down. That will be the key, yardage gained or stopped on 1st down. We get at least 5 yards on offense, and preferable from Zeke running.
Give up no more than 2 to 3 yards on defense on 1st down.

This is all basic stuff as we know this already. But it will be much more important in this game.

There will be mistakes, and NO will make a few also. They are not perfect as many want us to believe. We just need to exploit those mistakes, make them happen, then take advantage.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

On both sides of the balls.

Over the last 3 weeks we have nearly converted 50% of all 3rd downs on offense; this must continue to have a chance against the Saints.

For the season we have been one of the worse teams in the NFL on stopping 3rd down conversions on offense; this must not continue against Saints.

Win, lose or draw....these are the stats that will reflect the outcome the most.

Thoughts?

This's been an ongoing problem now for a few years.......

 

[jazzcat22]

How has the 3rd down stops been the last 3 games compared to the first 8 game?

 

[Denim Chicken]

How has the 3rd down stops been the last 3 games compared to the first 8 game?

 

[kskboys]

On both sides of the balls.

Over the last 3 weeks we have nearly converted 50% of all 3rd downs on offense; this must continue to have a chance against the Saints.

For the season we have been one of the worse teams in the NFL on stopping 3rd down conversions on offense; this must not continue against Saints.

Win, lose or draw....these are the stats that will reflect the outcome the most.

Thoughts?

I think that I agree completely.

 

[Batman1980]

I think that I agree completely.

Kamara and Ingram are key, I expect Jones to contain Thomas to some extent and none of their other receivers scare me.

 

[kskboys]

Points will define this game. If we score more points we will win the game. If not we will lose.

If the Saints never get to a 3rd down we will get trounced. You never really know how these games will shake out.

Dallas could win a high scoring game with a few turnovers going their way.

Dallas could win a time of possession eating game with efficiency.

Dallas' D could just manhandle the Saints and hand the victory to the Cowboys.

We could get "blowed out" as Emmitt Smith used to say.

I just hope we get the W.

Love your kindergarten class first sentence assessment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ItzKelz]

Conversions of 3rd downs is a start. Scoring TDs instead of FGs is right up there too.

IMO 3rd down stops for the defense are more important in this particular game

 

[conner01]

On both sides of the balls.

Over the last 3 weeks we have nearly converted 50% of all 3rd downs on offense; this must continue to have a chance against the Saints.

For the season we have been one of the worse teams in the NFL on stopping 3rd down conversions on offense; this must not continue against Saints.

Win, lose or draw....these are the stats that will reflect the outcome the most.

Thoughts?

I agree
Can’t stick to the run if you can’t convert 3rd downs
Can’t keep drew off the field if you can’t convert 3rd downs

 

[DandyDon52]

what if Dallas gets 1st down on 1st down or 2nd down? lol
Main thing is we need long drives that lead to a score, even if it is a FG, and not many 3 and outs.
And NO will move the ball and convert 3rd downs, but maybe we can stop them in the red zone, force fg's.

And hopefully Amari will take some short passes all the way again.
Be nice to have a ST td or a defensive td .