Cowboys Passing Defense

[Galian Beast]

There are reasons to be excited about the Cowboys passing defense so far in 2018, but also reasons to remain concerned.

We're currently ranked 15th in passer QB rating on defense. The low ranking is a direct result of us not getting any interceptions, which after two games would not be a big deal except when you look at the overall trend from previous years.

I also think it is a direct result of teams feeling they don't need to be aggressive in the air to beat us as they aren't afraid of our offense.

4 teams in the league have 5 interceptions, while another 4 have zero (we're obviously in the zero category).

On a more positive note, we're 7th in the league in yards per attempt. We've also given up the second lowest number of touchdown passes with 1 (the rams are the only team who have 0).

 

[Aviano90]

Zeke better start scaring defenses.

Yes, I would like this team to create more turnovers and create short fields.

 

[rpntex]

Stats are cool, however, I think points per game is more telling. I honestly don’t care how many yards they give up as long as they keep the scoreboard relatively clean. They’re averaging, white, 14.5 points per game so far? And honestly, 10 of those points came during “prove it“ time against the Giants, in which the Giants ate up a lot of clock time. So even though they gave of the points, I feel like they accomplished what I set out to accomplish.

 

[Bobhaze]

There are reasons to be excited about the Cowboys passing defense so far in 2018, but also reasons to remain concerned.

We're currently ranked 15th in passer QB rating on defense. The low ranking is a direct result of us not getting any interceptions, which after two games would not be a big deal except when you look at the overall trend from previous years.

I also think it is a direct result of teams feeling they don't need to be aggressive in the air to beat us as they aren't afraid of our offense.

4 teams in the league have 5 interceptions, while another 4 have zero (we're obviously in the zero category).

On a more positive note, we're 7th in the league in yards per attempt. We've also given up the second lowest number of touchdown passes with 1 (the rams are the only team who have 0).

I wouldn’t use two games worth of stats to be either worried or confident. It usually takes 4-6 games before it’s possible to really know what you have.

 

[rpntex]

I wouldn’t use two games worth of stats to be either worried or confident. It usually takes 4-6 games before it’s possible to really know what you have.

While I would agree with you in general, I would also say that this is not just two games. We saw a lot of this at the tail end of last year, specifically after the Chargers game, with the young guys in the secondary finally got playing time. We saw the DL’s improvement most of last year, so that shouldn’t be a big surprise to anyone either.

 

[Bobhaze]

While I would agree with you in general, I would also say that this is not just two games. We saw a lot of this at the tail end of last year, specifically after the Chargers game, with the young guys in the secondary finally got playing time. We saw the DL’s improvement most of last year, so that shouldn’t be a big surprise to anyone either.

All I’m saying is after two games, we shouldn’t draw any conclusions either way. If a team goes out and hangs 300 yards on this secondary it doesn’t mean they suck. It means the NFL takes time to define what you have.

 

[Galian Beast]

All I’m saying is after two games, we shouldn’t draw any conclusions either way. If a team goes out and hangs 300 yards on this secondary it doesn’t mean they suck. It means the NFL takes time to define what you have.

The key word and I think where you've gone off a bit is the word conclusion. I'm not making a conclusion, I'm making an observation.

I think too often people on message boards look to make combative responses. I think we'll certainly have games where someone hangs 300 or 400 yards on this secondary. I'm saying two weeks in there are positives and negatives so far.

 

[Denim Chicken]

I also think it is a direct result of teams feeling they don't need to be aggressive in the air to beat us as they aren't afraid of our offense.

That doesn't jive with the games i watched. I saw team that couldn't be aggressive because our D would not let them.

With this pass rush the picks will come. We're also tied for third on fumble recoveries.

 

[Galian Beast]

Stats are cool, however, I think points per game is more telling. I honestly don’t care how many yards they give up as long as they keep the scoreboard relatively clean. They’re averaging, white, 14.5 points per game so far? And honestly, 10 of those points came during “prove it“ time against the Giants, in which the Giants ate up a lot of clock time. So even though they gave of the points, I feel like they accomplished what I set out to accomplish.

Ultimately, I agree with you. And I think that is what people should focus on in general.

Can this team consistently beat the Rams, Tampa, Minnesota, Chicago, Green Bay, and Atlanta? I think we're going to have a hard enough time getting out of the division with Washington and Philadelphia.

 

[Bobhaze]

The key word and I think where you've gone off a bit is the word conclusion. I'm not making a conclusion, I'm making an observation.

I think too often people on message boards look to make combative responses. I think we'll certainly have games where someone hangs 300 or 400 yards on this secondary. I'm saying two weeks in there are positives and negatives so far.

I don’t disagree with that. Just saying IMO, we don’t have enough evidence to know much. Not being “combative”- just an opinion.

 

[Roadtrip635]

Hard after only two games to draw any real conclusions. Carolina was not going to throw very much, especially once the got a double digit lead. They don't have many weapons in the passing game, especially when Olsen got hurt early in the game. They are were content, keeping it on the ground, let their defense do the work and keep the clock ticking. Against the Giants, Eli just didn't have the chance to throw, he was getting hit, sacked, or had pressure on a most of the pass plays. He completed a lot of passes, but almost all were behind the LOS or within 5 yds of the LOS. Eli has become Captain Checkdown. There's just wasn't a lot of opportunities to get INTs in those situations.

There should be more opportunities against Seattle. They have a shaky OL, Wilson has been holding the ball and forcing passes. Seattle prefers a more down field passing attack and Wilson will take some chances and their #1 WR is injured. He's taken 12 sacks and thrown 3 INTs already this year, so as long as we can get pressure and contain their run game, our defense should have a good game.

 

[rpntex]

Ultimately, I agree with you. And I think that is what people should focus on in general.

Can this team consistently beat the Rams, Tampa, Minnesota, Chicago, Green Bay, and Atlanta? I think we're going to have a hard enough time getting out of the division with Washington and Philadelphia.

I agree, those games are going to be tough. Still, I believe a dominant defense can do that. Right now, this is Alex defense has performed at a dominant level. The proof will be in the pudding, however.

 

[Zman5]

Hard to get ints when the 2 QBs we played mostly either ran or threw dump off passes.

 

[aria]

I’m still on the fence. While our passing D has looked good, how much of that is due to our D line getting pressure on the QB and playing against some of the worst O lines in the league? I’m sure they will look great against Seattle, Detroit and Houston as well. Until I see them play a few games against better O lines, when the QB has time throw, then I’m staying neutral.

BTW, there were also more than a couple plays where Odiva and Engram were open and Elijah didn’t even see them. Nonetheless, they have looked good so far but we’ll find out how good they really are in a month or so.