Dallas defense on the field 27 less plays through 5 games than last year

[RS12]

This is the value of a balanced, ball control offense right here.

 

[bayeslife]

Just imagine if we had an actual dominant defense.....

Dallas is set to bring smash mouth football back.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

only breaks down to 5 plays a game, the main difference is teams did not have to score points against us, and could play conservatively and still win. This year, you do that, you'll lose.

 

[Jinxx13x]

Just imagine if we had an actual dominant defense.....

Dallas is set to bring smash mouth football back.

Maybe we will after a strong defensive draft next year

 

[2much2soon]

Couple of games back was when I first had the thought "the defense looks happy." They seem energized by the offense.
They don't look stressed and mistake-prone thinking they have to be perfect to keep the offense in the game.

 

[RS12]

only breaks down to 5 plays a game

It is one less possession where the weakest link is exposed.

 

[windjc]

Thanks Zeke.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

It is one less possession where the weakest link is exposed.

Don't get me wrong, I'll take the 5 plays, I just think the bigger difference is going from 17.2 ppg to 25.8 ppg.

 

[reddyuta]

only breaks down to 5 plays a game, the main difference is teams did not have to score points against us, and could play conservatively and still win. This year, you do that, you'll lose.

Exactly, the Seattle game game last year for example.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Exactly, the Seattle game game last year for example.

lol, that was exactly the game I thought of.

 

[percyhoward]

It is one less possession where the weakest link is exposed.

It only works as long as the offense is finishing drives.

Dallas TOP per drive
2014 1st
2015 2nd
2016 1st

Points per drive
2014 2nd
2015 27th
2016 2nd

 

[Sydla]

Yeah, the difference is that the offense is actually scoring this year when last year it was spit up city with the gaggle of goof balls we had playing QB.

 

[robbieruff]

This is the value of a balanced, ball control offense right here.

3rd down conversion rate is where we're really killing it compared to last year...which translates to the outcome. And yes, our reduced # of penalties (with the exception of Witten's obligatory pre-snap penalties each and every game...is that crazy or what?!!) is a nice change from last/past seasons as well!

 

[Nightman]

Yeah, the difference is that the offense is actually scoring this year when last year it was spit up city with the gaggle of goof balls we had playing QB.

Playing with the lead helps a lot imo.......teams have to score TDs to keep up and take some chances

 

[percyhoward]

3rd down conversion rate is where we're really killing it compared to last year...

Yes. That and red zone.

NFL RANKS
Conversions on 3rd or 4th down
2016 1st
2015 26th

Red Zone TD
2016 1st
2015 28th

 

[darthseinfeld]

QB play was just awful last year. May have been amoung the worst if not worst in Cowboys history.