Green Bay vs. Dallas - Defense: Dispelling the Myth

[VACowboy]

The idea that Green Bay plays better defense than Dallas is a myth, and frankly, I don't know where it comes from. Well, I do, sort of. It's a points allowed thing, but even that is a crock of crap.

Dallas has given up 35 points that the defense hasn't: 1 kickoff, 1 punt, 1 fumble and two INTs, all returned for touchdowns. And while none of that is anything to brag about, neither should it be included when you're arguing defensive numbers. The Dallas defense has actually allowed ONE more point than Green Bay's.

Here are the other numbers...

Total yards/game ...................... GB: 315 ........ Dallas: 299 ......
Yards per play ........................ GB: 5.0 ........ Dallas: 4.8 ......
Yards per rush ........................ GB: 4.0 ........ Dallas: 3.6 ......
Yards per pass attempt ................ GB: 6.7 ........ Dallas: 6.4 ......
Opponents' completion rate ............ GB: 56.2 ....... Dallas: 58.5 .....
Opponents' passer rating .............. GB: 77.0 ....... Dallas: 73.4 .....
Rushing TDs allowed ................... GB: 4 .......... Dallas: 5 ........
Passing TDs allowed ................... GB: 15 ......... Dallas: 15 .......
Sacks ................................. GB: 32 ......... Dallas: 30 .......
Interceptions ......................... GB: 12 ......... Dallas: 16 .......
Field goals allowed ................... GB: 17 ......... Dallas: 16 .......

It looks like to me that the two squads are very comperable, with the Cowboys actually slightly statistically better in almost all areas. The "Swiss cheese" in the Dallas secondary has actually limited its opponents to fewer yards per attempt and a lower passer rating than has Green Bay, all while totaling more INTs.

So, which is the better defense? You tell me.

 

[DBoys]

Owned

 

[Mavs Man]

But... ESPN says so...

 

[03EBZ06]

Nice. It's funny how media and packers' fans believe packers' defense is so much better than ours.

 

[superpunk]

Glad to see this all put together in one place. I wanted to compare the offenses they've faced, too, and if you average the passing rank of every offense the teams have faced, it comes out exactly the same. So we're performing better, despite having faced the same quality of opponents.

But somehow, the analysts have gotten the idea that our secondary is horrible, and that it must be better for this game or we lose.

It's just not so. But that's what you get when you're putting a show together, wonder "How is Dallas' pass defense?" and look solely at their rank in terms of total yardage allowed.

Our YPA is one of the best in the league. We're no longer giving up big plays. Our pass defense has developed into an enormous strength - not the weakness it's being portrayed as.

Is it Thursday, yet?

 

[DallasCowboysRule!]

Good post. From those numbers it appears that our defenses are pretty even and maybe Dallas' is a bit better.

 

[03EBZ06]

Tomorrow can't get here fast enough.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/teamdef.php

And...

 

[StanleySpadowski]

If adjusted for the level of competition the numbers slant even more in Dallas' favor. Green Bay didn't have to play New England.

 

[BDAWG]

Definitely a good post. Also to add, the teams Green Bay has played have something to be desired. And, their only loss was to the Bears...let me say that again...THE BEARS! At least we lost to a team that has remained undefeated so far this season.

I'm definitely not impressed with the Pack. We will stomp them in the ground tomorrow.

Edit: Thanks to Jammer and kidcrook for the correction.

 

[BDAWG]

Green Bay didn't have to play New England.

Damn, beat me to it.

 

[Jammer]

Definitely a good post. Also to add, the teams Green Bay has played have something to be desired. And, their only loss was to the Bengals...let me say that again...THE BENGALS! At least we lost to a team that has remained undefeated so far this season.

I'm definitely not impressed with the Pack. We will stomp them in the ground tomorrow.

They lost to the Bears.

 

[WarDaddy]

Definitely a good post. Also to add, the teams Green Bay has played have something to be desired. And, their only loss was to the Bengals...let me say that again...THE BENGALS! At least we lost to a team that has remained undefeated so far this season.

I'm definitely not impressed with the Pack. We will stomp them in the ground tomorrow.

GB lost to the BEARS.

 

[BDAWG]

GB lost to the BEARS.

Ah damn, I always do that. Regardless, not much better to lose to.

 

[WarC]

IMO GB does have a stronger and more physical secondary than do the Cowboys (it also tends to net them a couple pass interference calls per game). Their LBs are also of a high caliber in coverage, and they are good at getting to the ball and making the tackle.

In terms of defense I do think the Packers have a slight edge.

That said, I do not believe that we will have too much trouble putting points on them...

 

[VACowboy]

In terms of defense I do think the Packers have a slight edge.

Based on what? Just curious.

I note, all that physical play didn't help them allow fewer yards each play, give up fewer big plays or get more INTs....

 

[Idgit]

The idea that Green Bay plays better defense than Dallas is a myth, and frankly, I don't know where it comes from. Well, I do, sort of. It's a points allowed thing, but even that is a crock of crap.

Dallas has given up 35 points that the defense hasn't: 1 kickoff, 1 punt, 1 fumble and two INTs, all returned for touchdowns. And while none of that is anything to brag about, neither should it be included when you're arguing defensive numbers. The Dallas defense has actually allowed ONE more point than Green Bay's.

Here are the other numbers...

Total yards/game ...................... GB: 315 ........ Dallas: 299 ......
Yards per play ........................ GB: 5.0 ........ Dallas: 4.8 ......
Yards per rush ........................ GB: 4.0 ........ Dallas: 3.6 ......
Yards per pass attempt ................ GB: 6.7 ........ Dallas: 6.4 ......
Opponents' completion rate ............ GB: 56.2 ....... Dallas: 58.5 .....
Opponents' passer rating .............. GB: 77.0 ....... Dallas: 73.4 .....
Rushing TDs allowed ................... GB: 4 .......... Dallas: 5 ........
Passing TDs allowed ................... GB: 15 ......... Dallas: 15 .......
Sacks ................................. GB: 32 ......... Dallas: 30 .......
Interceptions ......................... GB: 12 ......... Dallas: 16 .......
Field goals allowed ................... GB: 17 ......... Dallas: 16 .......

It looks like to me that the two squads are very comperable, with the Cowboys actually slightly statistically better in almost all areas. The "Swiss cheese" in the Dallas secondary has actually limited its opponents to fewer yards per attempt and a lower passer rating than has Green Bay, all while totaling more INTs.

So, which is the better defense? You tell me.

This is a good post, VACowboy. You didn't cherry-pick any of the stats or omit any not in our favor did you? I can't see an obvious omissions.

 

[Zman5]

But... ESPN says so...

In John "Chicken Little" Clayton we trust.......NOT!

 

[WarC]

Based on what? Just curious.

I note, all that physical play didn't help them allow fewer yards each play, give up fewer big plays or get more INTs....

Just my observations over the last two years. GB does not give up much on defense and has done a good job of shutting down opposing threats for the most part as a unit. They rush well and have accumulated a lot of sacks. In the secondary they are more aggressive than we are, they are able to play a lot more man coverage and love to jam receivers with their physical corners.

Whereas last year, our second half meltdown was pretty much a result of poor secondary play and no pass rush.

I think we are definitely improved over last year but I'd still put GB's defense just a notch above ours...I am comfortable with that concession because I know our offense is superior.