Cowboys defense - Not all bad

[percyhoward]

The Cowboys won 13 games last season with a similar defense because the offense kept the defense off the field.

The problem with team TOP is the defense itself, which ranks 26th in TOP per drive. The offense is doing its part to control the clock, ranking 9th.

If the defensive performance were really similar to last year's, we probably be 4-1 right now.

points allowed per drive
2016 13th
2017 32nd

percentage of opp drives ending in a score
2016 12th
2017 31st

 

[percyhoward]

I think big difference is red zone.

We've only fallen from 15th to 17th in red zone TD% allowed. So far, the big differences from last year have been a big drop off in run defense, and an inability to get takeaways (especially fumbles).

Adjusted line yards allowed (NFL rank)
2016 13th
2017 30th

Runs of 10+ yards/game
2016 2.2
2017 3.6

Runs of 5+ yards/game
2016 7.4
2017 10.0

Avg gain on 1st- or 2nd-down run
2016 3.9
2017 4.7

Fumble recoveries per drive (NFL rank)
2016 5th
2017 24th

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

The defense has been good enough to give them a chance to win all but the Broncos game. Even the Broncos game was largely determined by the Cowboys offense not being able to run the ball and keep the Broncos offense off the field and 2 INTs on the Cowboys offense doomed any chance for the defense.

Packers game
Cowboys defense gave up less points than the Packers defense (28 vs 31). Thanks TWill for giving the Packers the other 7 points.
Held Rodgers to 19 completions for 221 yards.

Rams game
Rams 7 field goals and 2 punts

Cardinals game
Cowboys win
Cardinals 6 punts and 2 field goal attempts

Broncos game
Zeke only 9 carries for 8 yards.
Time of possession 34-26 Broncos-Cowboys
Broncos QB 22/32 for 231 yards.
Broncos 3 punts, 1 field goal attempt

Giants game
Cowboys win.
Giants 6 punts, 1 field goal attempt
Giants 220 yards passing, 35 yards, rushing

the defense has been good in the first half. actually very good in the first half. then 2nd half rolls around and the defense totally disappears. we are the worst 2nd half defense in the league. giving up 22, 23 points in the last two contests. we can't make a play when it counts. just one play, worse yet, we commit untimely penalties when it counts. have to figure out the second half issues.

 

[Sydla]

I checked back into this thread to see if maybe I misread it and xwalker was saying the Dallas defense wasn't good enough.

Nope. Same silly premise.

 

[xwalker]

I checked back into this thread to see if maybe I misread it and xwalker was saying the Dallas defense wasn't good enough.

Nope. Same silly premise.

Try getting someone with better reading comprehension to read it to you...