Breaking down the pass rush, last drive

cowboyjoe

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Breaking down the pass rush, last drive
2:24 PM Tue, Oct 13, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Todd Archer/Reporter Bio | E-mail | News tips

Wade Phillips said much of the bye week practice will focus on the two-minute defense. The Cowboys have not been able to close out games this year and against Kansas City they allowed a 74-yard scoring drive that ended with Dwayne Bowe's touchdown to tie the game at 20-20.

Did the Cowboys sit back? Not really but they relied mostly on four-man pressure, which was effective during the game as they pummeled Matt Cassel.

On the 10-play drive, the Cowboys used a four-man rush eight times and a five-man rush twice. The cornerbacks played off coverage seven times and played press coverage three times (all with Terence Newman out of the game).

If there was one difference it was how far the defensive backs played off. It just looked like they were playing softer in off coverage than they had throughout the game.

Prior to that last drive, the Cowboys used a four-man rush 18 times and a five-man rush nine times in the 43 pass calls (including penalties) before the Chiefs' last drive of regulation. They were more aggressive in the half, bringing six- or seven-man pressure four times after just doing it once in the first half.
 

ddh33

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I thought it was as simple as softer coverage too.

I don't know if it was really a prevent or unitentional, but those guys seemed like they were content to see if the Chiefs would make a mistake to seal the deal...I think Bradie James is right; they need more of a killer instinct.
 
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