Dallas Defense is Suddenly Number One!

[waving monkey]

In the hours following the Thanksgiving day massacre at the hands of the visiting Eagles, two memes became very common: Dallas again has proven it can't win big games and Dallas' defense is what 'we thought they were'--terrible. What a difference three weeks can make.


The defense is number one against the run over the last three games. That’s number one in yards per game and number one in yards per attempt, which adds some real weight to the significance of that stat.



But that’s not the only area where the Dallas D is peaking. Here are some other surprising numbers:



Team Takeaways per Game-Last Three

link/http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2014/12/22/7434419/dallas-defense-is-suddenly-number-one

 

[Macnalty]

It shows on the field even without the stats to back it up.

 

[ologan]

Better keep Marinelli!!!

 

[65fastback2plus2]

they're going to have to keep up the pace if we're going to do anything in the playoffs.

any faltering is going to get us torched.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

LOL How awesome is that. What everyone feared would be our death the whole season isn't so bad at this point.
In Rod we trust.

 

[Tawney88]

Pleasant surprise, the talent really isn't where it needs to be up front but the coaching had done a great job of getting these guys to play with fire. Great job by the coaching staff.

 

[DallasDW00ds0n]

I think they benefitted last week with some poor play on the colts end too

 

[nablives]

Eh, that's a pretty easy stat to explain. Do we really think it's just a matter of the defense waking up, or could the fact that Chicago and Indy suck on the ground have anything to do with it? How about the fact that Dallas made Philly pass more than they wanted to? I'd say these factors may have a thing or two to do with the defense looking better.

 

[Oh_Canada]

There were many doubters of Rod, pointing out that he was part of the staff of last year's abomination. He has proved how good he is with an average, but relatively HEALTHY dline and some decent linebackers. Imagine what he could do if this group had a couple more above average starters? Guy is a very good coach and the Boys are lucky to have him.

 

[BourbonBalz]

Eh, that's a pretty easy stat to explain. Do we really think it's just a matter of the defense waking up, or could the fact that Chicago and Indy suck on the ground have anything to do with it? How about the fact that Dallas made Philly pass more than they wanted to? I'd say these factors may have a thing or two to do with the defense looking better.

As far as I'm concerned, the "how" doesn't matter. They're getting it done. That's all that matters. The defense has been playing aggressive with a lot of heart and intensity.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

they're going to have to keep up the pace if we're going to do anything in the playoffs.

any faltering is going to get us torched.

Defense is #1.... Oh geez. We give up points in large chunks. 27 unanswered.

The defense is serviceable and opportunistic!
Sorry, right now that is what they are.

 

[Doomsday101]

Eh, that's a pretty easy stat to explain. Do we really think it's just a matter of the defense waking up, or could the fact that Chicago and Indy suck on the ground have anything to do with it? How about the fact that Dallas made Philly pass more than they wanted to? I'd say these factors may have a thing or two to do with the defense looking better.

Defense continues to hustle and make plays, they have all year. I really do not care about yards it is one of the most meaningless stats, yards are not points. Dallas is giving up 22 points a game a lot less than last year’s high priced defense. No doubt there are things this defense must improve on and chances are that is not going to happen this season but does not change the fact they have made big plays to help this team.

 

[Doomsday101]

Defense is #1.... Oh geez. We give up points in large chunks. 27 unanswered.

The defense is serviceable and opportunistic!
Sorry, right now that is what they are.

They give up a lot less than last season, No doubt this is not a defense that will carry a team but they are a defense who seems to come up with big stops at crunch time as well as turnovers.

 

[Don Corleone]

Eh, that's a pretty easy stat to explain. Do we really think it's just a matter of the defense waking up, or could the fact that Chicago and Indy suck on the ground have anything to do with it? How about the fact that Dallas made Philly pass more than they wanted to? I'd say these factors may have a thing or two to do with the defense looking better.

Don't these factors come into play when rating any defense? The eyeball test is that they're swarming to the ball carrier and tackling well. D line pressure could still be better, but it has improved. Mix in some opportunistic turnovers and sacks.

Yes, the level of competition will be different in January, but this defense plays with heart and within themselves. That can certainly help our chances.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

They give up a lot less than last season, No doubt this is not a defense that will carry a team but they are a defense who seems to come up with big stops at crunch time as well as turnovers.

Absolutely agree.

But... We are very vulnerable when the dam starts leaking.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Don't these factors come into play when rating any defense? The eyeball test is that they're swarming to the ball carrier and tackling well. D line pressure could still be better, but it has improved. Mix in some opportunistic turnovers and sacks.

Yes, the level of competition will be different in January, but this defense plays with heart and within themselves. That can certainly help our chances.

They go animal on ball carriers/receivers.

 

[Doomsday101]

Absolutely agree.

But... We are very vulnerable when the dam starts leaking.

Yes this is not a defense who can carry the offense if they get off to slow starts or have series where they stall out. However they continue to find ways to help this team win. They gave up some points vs Philly and Dallas offense came back to take a slight lead with plenty of time on the clock and instead of caving in they stepped up and made big plays on Philly last 2 drives.

 

[sbark]

Colts were down 28 points by mid 2nd qtr...........and they didn't try to "run" themselves backinto the game, they and the Bears had to become 1 dimentional, it was their only choice, Eagles a little later in the game.

 

[tyke1doe]

I'd like to see our turnover rate over the last three games. I don't think we've turned the ball over any within that span have we?

If we're controlling the clock and scoring, that significantly helps the defense as the other team's offense has to go into pass mode because they recognize they may not have much time or many more opportunities to score.

No one considers our defense the 85 Bears. But they're serviceable and doing as well as they possibly can. And I think they'll step up in the playoffs, especially if our offense continues to play as well as it has.

 

[Aven8]

Sort of reminds me of the opportunistic Saints a couple years back, and oh yeah that 32nd ranked Defense with the hottest offense in the league that won it all at our place.