Defensive Stat That Hurts

[BourbonBalz]

They play a bend but don't break style. That results in a lot of yards.

Dallas was 5th in points per game allowed. That's 5th in the entire league.

Far too many on here tend to overlook this very important stat. Yards do not win games. Points do. The fact that we held teams to the 5th lowest PPG last year is a testament to two things:
1) Our offense kept opposing offenses off the field and this was by design 2) Our defense stiffened up when it had to, especially considering how few turnovers we got

The defense pretty much did its job last year. Although it wasn't always pretty, it was effective most of the time. We lost the two N.Y. games because of our offense, not our defense. I still think the playoff loss to Green Bay was more the fault of offensive play calling rather than defense, especially in a few critical moments in the game. The defense didn't play great by any means against Green Bay, but the Packers have a very potent offense as well.

 

[BourbonBalz]

That stat is important. One of the few stats that matters more is the score on the scoreboard at the end of the game.

You mean the stat that says we scored more points than our opponents 13 out of 16 times last year (playoff game not withstanding)?

 

[bigdnlaca]

I hate to ask this but is there anyway to find out what the completion percentages and passer ratings between the 1st and 2nd half?

There were at least 4 games where the defense played prevent in the start of the 4th qtr when the opposing team passed on every down. I would guess that maybe 9 of the Cowboys' victories had at least a 2 possession lead with 5 or 6 mins left in the game. So they would allow more completions and boost the rating for time.

 

[BourbonBalz]

I hate to ask this but is there anyway to find out what the completion percentages and passer ratings between the 1st and 2nd half?

There were at least 4 games where the defense played prevent in the start of the 4th qtr when the opposing team passed on every down. I would guess that maybe 9 of the Cowboys' victories had at least a 2 possession lead with 5 or 6 mins left in the game. So they would allow more completions and boost the rating for time.

I'm pretty sure you're correct. Stats can be very misleading unless they're taken in the proper context. Some say our defensive rushing stats were so good only because we couldn't stop the pass so teams just decided to throw the ball all the time. Others say our defensive passing stats were so bad because no one could run on us. The truth is generally somewhere in the middle. Our offense controlled most of our games and there's zero doubt that helped our defense. However, far too many are downplaying the fact that our defense was more than serviceable last year. You don't go 13-3 with a crap defense, regardless how good your offense happens to be. Can it be improved? Bet your *** it can, and hopefully it will. But, it was far from trash like many on here seem to think.

 

[Passepartout]

As yeah it is about defense. Defense wins you the game. As really it is about beefing it up. Taking it to the next level.

 

[BourbonBalz]

As yeah it is about defense. Defense wins you the game. As really it is about beefing it up. Taking it to the next level.

So, if defense wins games and our was so terrible last year (it wasn't, but too many on here think it was), how in the hell did we go 13-3???

 

[Verdict]

You mean the stat that says we scored more points than our opponents 13 out of 16 times last year (playoff game not withstanding)?

Yes. That's what I mean. LOL. Was I not clear?

 

[Verdict]

So, if defense wins games and our was so terrible last year (it wasn't, but too many on here think it was), how in the hell did we go 13-3???

Well, our defense could have been horrendous and we still could have won 13 games. The bottom line is that we lost in the playoofs and that was due in part to the defense. It was also due in part to the refs ******* us to death, by calling ******** penalites and letting the offensive line tackle our players on the last play. It all matters.

 

[Verdict]

I'm pretty sure you're correct. Stats can be very misleading unless they're taken in the proper context. Some say our defensive rushing stats were so good only because we couldn't stop the pass so teams just decided to throw the ball all the time. Others say our defensive passing stats were so bad because no one could run on us. The truth is generally somewhere in the middle. Our offense controlled most of our games and there's zero doubt that helped our defense. However, far too many are downplaying the fact that our defense was more than serviceable last year. You don't go 13-3 with a crap defense, regardless how good your offense happens to be. Can it be improved? Bet your *** it can, and hopefully it will. But, it was far from trash like many on here seem to think.

Stats are meaningless without context. They can be blatantly misleading.

 

[Verdict]

Far too many on here tend to overlook this very important stat. Yards do not win games. Points do. The fact that we held teams to the 5th lowest PPG last year is a testament to two things:
1) Our offense kept opposing offenses off the field and this was by design 2) Our defense stiffened up when it had to, especially considering how few turnovers we got

The defense pretty much did its job last year. Although it wasn't always pretty, it was effective most of the time. We lost the two N.Y. games because of our offense, not our defense. I still think the playoff loss to Green Bay was more the fault of offensive play calling rather than defense, especially in a few critical moments in the game. The defense didn't play great by any means against Green Bay, but the Packers have a very potent offense as well.

Our defense was "better" last year, but it can't be considered top 5 other than based on that statistic, which is sort of misleading. This defense had very little pass rush.

I don't think we are as far off defensively as some on here think we are, but it would be a stretch to think this is a top 5 defense (based on last year). We might be this year with the new talent we will put on the field this year.

 

[BourbonBalz]

Yes. That's what I mean. LOL. Was I not clear?

Actually no. It read like a 3rd grader wrote it.

 

[BourbonBalz]

Our defense was "better" last year, but it can't be considered top 5 other than based on that statistic, which is sort of misleading. This defense had very little pass rush.

I don't think we are as far off defensively as some on here think we are, but it would be a stretch to think this is a top 5 defense (based on last year). We might be this year with the new talent we will put on the field this year.

I agree, but in the end, points are what matters. One of the primary reasons we went 13-3 last year was because we didn't give up points. There's no doubt that our potent clock-controlling offense greatly benefited the defense. Still, the defense was far from trash like far too many on here seem to think. And no, you will not go 13-3 with a trash defense. It is NOT going to happen.

 

[Verdict]

I agree, but in the end, points are what matters. One of the primary reasons we went 13-3 last year was because we didn't give up points. There's no doubt that our potent clock-controlling offense greatly benefited the defense. Still, the defense was far from trash like far too many on here seem to think. And no, you will not go 13-3 with a trash defense. It is NOT going to happen.

Well, you could. I agree that our defense was improved last year. We need to improve by that much more this year.

 

[Verdict]

Actually no. It read like a 3rd grader wrote it.

I thought it was pretty clear. Whatever.

 

[TrailBlazer]

"Quarterbacks completed an astounding 67.1 percent of their passes against the Cowboys – second highest in the NFL – with a passer rating of 94.1, largely thanks to Dallas’ lack of interceptions (nine)." Good for 26th in the league in passing yards allowed

Ugh, could you imagine how much different last season could have went with a decent defense/secondary. Pretty amazing we went 13-3 with that defense. I'm excited that they blew up the secondary.

Scoring defense was good enough, which is what really counts. They were damn good in red zone defense FWIW. Considering the talent, they did an admirable job.

 

[gmoney112]

Scoring defense was good enough, which is what really counts. They were damn good in red zone defense FWIW. Considering the talent, they did an admirable job.

They were mediocre in scoring defense, 13th in points allowed per drive.

Agreed they did admirably given talent, but they were pretty bad in pass defense. Worse than league average.

 

[BourbonBalz]

They were mediocre in scoring defense, 13th in points allowed per drive.

Agreed they did admirably given talent, but they were pretty bad in pass defense. Worse than league average.

The only thing that matters is points given up per game. Period. Our defense was 5th in the league in PPG. In the end, points scored and points given up determine the outcome of EVERY game. Yes, the PPG our defense gave up was greatly aided by the fact that our offense controlled the game and kept opposing offenses off the field. Guess what? That's the way the front office and coaching staff built this team. To do just that. It's a total package and any way you want to slice it, the bottom line is the defense gave up the 5th fewest points in the league last year.

 

[Doomsday101]

Far too many on here tend to overlook this very important stat. Yards do not win games. Points do. The fact that we held teams to the 5th lowest PPG last year is a testament to two things:
1) Our offense kept opposing offenses off the field and this was by design 2) Our defense stiffened up when it had to, especially considering how few turnovers we got

The defense pretty much did its job last year. Although it wasn't always pretty, it was effective most of the time. We lost the two N.Y. games because of our offense, not our defense. I still think the playoff loss to Green Bay was more the fault of offensive play calling rather than defense, especially in a few critical moments in the game. The defense didn't play great by any means against Green Bay, but the Packers have a very potent offense as well.

I agree I have never care much about yards allowed. What I do care about are points allowed and take aways. Cowboys defense did good about not giving up a lot of points but take aways need to improve. Of course in my view the take aways will happen when the defensive line is creating pressure

 

[noshame]

Can't ask your Defenders to cover for six seconds or more.
Got to get some better rush women.

 

[Doomsday101]

So, if defense wins games and our was so terrible last year (it wasn't, but too many on here think it was), how in the hell did we go 13-3???

I think Dallas defense did a very good job with what they had. They took few risk they kept plays in front of them. Good play. My issue is can the defense play to the next level when you hit post season and will face top offenses.