Cowboys Defense stats to this point

[Manster68]

In 2012, the Cowboys averaged giving up 355.4 yds/gm ranked 19th in the NFL.
In 2013, the Cowboys averaged giving up 415.3 yds/gm ranked 32nd in the NFL.
In 2014, the Cowboys averaged giving up 355.1 yds/gm ranked 19th in the NFL.

In 2015 through week 7 (6 games), the Cowboys are averaging giving up 339.3 yds/gm ranked 8th in the NFL.
This is without Hardy & McClain for 4 games.

My goal for this defense is to be ranked between 10th-15th in total defense; and to have at least 40 sacks.

Dallas is averaging now 2 sacks/gm - which will be 8 short of my goal.

Take-a-ways are another story - extreme disappointment.

 

[Amy50632]

Looks like the 8-8 teams defense and Tony is gonna be pressured to get us into the playoffs again when he comes back, sigh. Can we please give him some help?

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Looks like the 8-8 teams defense and Tony is gonna be pressured to get us into the playoffs again when he comes back, sigh. Can we please give him some help?

If the defense keeps getting better and doing what its doing that should be more than enough help. All Romo has to do is play error free football which he's done.

 

[DallasJ7]

The two best overall statistics for a defense IMO are points per drive and yards per play. Cowboys' defense ranks 23rd in points/drive with 2.08, and 19th in yards/play with 5.66.

All things considered, I think it's fair to consider them a mediocre defense to date, but one that has shown upside/improvement with the talent that has returned in recent weeks. And I think we can all agree that the best thing would be for this defense to just get some freakin' turnovers.

 

[Manster68]

Check this out:

Through 6 games Dallas has rushed for more yards than their opponent (766-608); passed for more yards (1516-1506); average nearly 34 minutes in time of possession; with more first downs (137-121). Most of this is without Romo and Bryant.

Of course, the kick in the teeth is the -9 turnover ratio which directly leads to the Cowboys 2-4 record. This is what gives me hope for when Romo and Bryant comes back.

Now let's start taking the ball away!

 

[JDSmith]

Our defense is ranked 21st in the Aikman Efficiency Ratings. They were 27th going into Sunday, but have been in the low 20's for a few weeks now - the Patriots game hurt the rankings briefly.

For comparison the Giants D is 11th in the Aikman's. Their D is not as good as ours on any level - we do everything better than them IMO, but they are getting the turnovers. That's why they are ranked where they are and that's why they are finding ways to win games. If our defense was generating turnovers like last year nobody would be saying anything negative about it at all, because we'd be winning. But for whatever reason we aren't getting the bounce or making the play on defense, and it's killing our chances to win.

This defense is a a play or two every game from being a top 10 defense in the Aikman's, and IMO that's a much better way to measure defense than yards and points - especially when the NFL counts points scored against a team as a whole rather than points scored against a defense specifically.

Look at the Byron Jones play from last week. 2:17 left in that half and Jones gets the pick at the Giants 33, but the ball was an inch too low and hit the ground along with his foot. Had that pass been one inch higher we're taking over in scoring position in the final 2 minutes of the half, instead the Giants continue their drive and end up with 3 points. The halftime score was 13 - 10, but if that ball was literally an inch higher we'd be looking at 16 - 7 or 20 - 7 at halftime, and that likely changes the entire complexion of the game. One play like that is huge, and it was a terrific play by the rookie, but for whatever reason we're just not quite getting the bounce.

 

[30yrheel]

Top 25 defense is not going to be enough to carry the team while Tony is out

 

[bayeslife]

3 turnovers. I really couldnt care less about total yards.

 

[Idgit]

Top 25 defense is not going to be enough to carry the team while Tony is out

This has been the real story. We needed more out of both ST and defense than we've gotten. Defensively, now that the player are back, the obvious problem is the takeaways. I wish I had a better explanation for why they aren't coming. I was willing to consider it a fluke the first three weeks. At this point, it's getting ridiculous.

 

[tyke1doe]

If the defense keeps getting better and doing what its doing that should be more than enough help. All Romo has to do is play error free football which he's done.

I think when Romo comes back, and if we're not out of it by then, you're going to see a much better defense. I think the defense will feed off of having Romo back, and I think Romo will restore the offensive balance and our overreliance on the defense. I think the defense will play looser, which will result in more turnovers.

 

[DandyDon1722]

I think when Romo comes back, and if we're not out of it by then, you're going to see a much better defense. I think the defense will feed off of having Romo back, and I think Romo will restore the offensive balance and our overreliance on the defense. I think the defense will play looser, which will result in more turnovers.

Yep - I think we are going to be the monster that NOBODY is going to want to play. We are going to ruin teams in December.

The question is - will it matter?

 

[Idgit]

I think when Romo comes back, and if we're not out of it by then, you're going to see a much better defense. I think the defense will feed off of having Romo back, and I think Romo will restore the offensive balance and our overreliance on the defense. I think the defense will play looser, which will result in more turnovers.

This would be a much better defense if it ever got to play with a lead, yeah.

 

[tyke1doe]

For comparison the Giants D is 11th in the Aikman's. Their D is not as good as ours on any level - we do everything better than them IMO, but they are getting the turnovers.

The Giants have played Matt Cassel, Tyron Taylor, Kurt Cousins, Sam Bradford

This would be a much better defense if it ever got to play with a lead, yeah.

True. But I also believe when you have confidence in your offense, you don't play as tight on defense. I think the mentality now is, "We've got to stop the other team; otherwise, we're going to lose because our offense can't bail us out." That tends to make teams play tighter. However, if the defense thinks, "Our offense is going to make plays regardless, let's get them the ball back" I believe they tend to play looser.

 

[slick325]

This defense still has a chance to be very very good. The talent is there especially if Jones can play more at FS.

Turnovers happen in bunches so hopefully they start coming for this defense this week and keep on coming. Seattle hasn't been that careful with the ball, 9 turnovers (5 picks from Wilson and 4 fumbles). Philly has 15 giveaways and Tampa has 11. Dallas in comparison has 12 turnovers this season playing most of the time without #9 and #88.

There will be opportunities these next few games...gotta take advantage of them.

 

[Bull Frog]

The Cowboys should retroactively award Tony Romo with 2014 Defensive Player of the Year. He is our best defensive weapon. Was it Mincey who blurted out, "we are going to win as long as he keeps us of the field" or something along those lines?

 

[TheFinisher]

I think when Romo comes back, and if we're not out of it by then, you're going to see a much better defense. I think the defense will feed off of having Romo back, and I think Romo will restore the offensive balance and our overreliance on the defense. I think the defense will play looser, which will result in more turnovers.

If they don't improve before he comes back there will be nothing to play for when he does.

 

[Alexander]

Check this out:

Through 6 games Dallas has rushed for more yards than their opponent (766-608); passed for more yards (1516-1506); average nearly 34 minutes in time of possession; with more first downs (137-121). Most of this is without Romo and Bryant.

Of course, the kick in the teeth is the -9 turnover ratio which directly leads to the Cowboys 2-4 record. This is what gives me hope for when Romo and Bryant comes back.

Now let's start taking the ball away!

Agreed. But it also speaks to the fact that this offense has been getting empty yards.

 

[AdamJT13]

Agreed. But it also speaks to the fact that this offense has been getting empty yards.

Just like the defense, the key has been turnovers. We're fourth in yards per drive, first in time of possession per drive and six in drive success rating, but we're 30th in turnovers per drive.

We're also 31st in average starting field position because our defense never forces turnovers to put our offense in good position. So we have to drive the length of the field just to score.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

Sacks should only improve. Turnovers, on the other hand, could be our downfall.

 

[Alexander]

Just like the defense, the key has been turnovers. We're fourth in yards per drive, first in time of possession per drive and six in drive success rating, but we're 30th in turnovers per drive.

We're also 31st in average starting field position because our defense never forces turnovers to put our offense in good position. So we have to drive the length of the field just to score.

Sure, the turnovers matter. They always do.

But to crow about how successful the offense is at getting yards is fruitless if you are looking for positives. An offense can be prolific in terms of raw yards and fail to be efficient at the same time.