It’s the defense

[Bobhaze]

Today was the worst day Dak and this Cowboys offense has had all season. The offense only had 57 plays for 300 yards, and many of the yards coming when the outcome was already decided. There were drops all over the place by receivers and an overall terrible job by the OL.

No question about it, the offense was putrid. But folks as bad as the offense played, it’s going to recover and rebound. Probably by next week.

The biggest problem with this team is by far the defense. As excited as we have been with its improvement this season, we must face the facts. If this defenses isn’t getting turnovers, they are mediocre at best.

Here’s part of what I mean:

• The first 6 games, we got 14 TOs from the opponents, and had 2 pick sixes.
  
• The last 2 games, we have stolen it zero times.
  
• A defense can cover up a ton of problems when you’re getting 2-3 TOs per game.

Another huge problem for this defense is it’s inability to stop the run. Look at the problems the rush defense has had- especially lately:

• We’ve given up two 100 yard games in 3 weeks and not exactly household names doing it:
  • Damien Harris of the pats gashed us for 101 yards on 18 carries.
  • Javonte Williams of the Broncos had 117 yards on 17 carries.
• The last 3 games, opponents are averaging nearly 5 yards per carry. If you can’t stop the run, you can’t stop anything else.

I’m not saying this defense is un-fixable or that it’s hopeless. In fact, this is a very young defensive team. There are multiple rookies getting lots of playing time which is good for their development. But even a guy like Parsons has a learning curve.

In closing- the key to our success this season IMO still rests squarely on the ability of the defense to improve. I’m still hopeful. Parsons, Osa, Golston and several other young players must keep developing for us to make a playoff run. It’s that simple.

 

[Jake0]

The offense needs to not get 3 and outs repeatedly throughout the entire game and let the defense get some rest. Every defense gets gassed and loses effectiveness if they're on the field for too long.

 

[SoBlue128]

They have flashes with stops behind the LOS but then will turn around and give up a big gainer. Maybe when Galli and Dlaw come back it will help?

 

[Tabascocat]

The defense relies on the offense using up a lot of the clock. That didn’t happen today and the D’s weaknesses were further exposed. In order to keep this good season rolling, the offense can’t stink it up again and we need more turnovers.

 

[Ranching]

It was the whole team......

 

[kevm3]

Those turnovers covered up a lot of mediocre performances. I think what was really concerning was how we got beat up in the run game. That's how Denver was able to chew up so much clock. I

 

[Bobhaze]

The offense needs to not get 3 and outs repeatedly throughout the entire game and let the defense get some rest. Every defense gets gassed and loses effectiveness if they're on the field for too long.

Of course, in the short run that was true today. But the offense is going to recover. This is the first egg the offense has laid this season. The defense is the bigger problem right now.

It was the whole team......

Right…but that’s not what this thread is about. This thread is about the big picture, not just today’s game.

 

[MysteryIceGuro]

Of course, in the short run that was true today. But the offense is going to recover. This is the first egg the offense has laid this season. The defense is the bigger problem right now.

I mean the defense is the reason we stayed IN that game last week. It’s a complimentary game. Offense sometimes has to pick up the defenses slack. Sometimes defense has to pick off the offense’s slack. Last week the defense did that and held us in til we came back. Today, neither side did their job.

 

[Oz-of-Cowboy-Country]

It's the salary cap. The salary cap is stopping us from having all pro's at every position. If it wasn't for the cap we'd have a couple of all pro backups too.

#killthecap

 

[JoeyBoy718]

I agree. We were stopping the run because teams were only passing on us. And we were creating turnovers because Diggs was gambling and winning. Well, now teams are running and passing, and they’re succeeding in both. And Diggs is gambling and losing, and he’s becoming a liability. If Parsons wasn’t such a stud, we’d be wishing we drafted Surtain. The reality is, Diggs isn’t a shutdown CB, he isn’t a MVP candidate, and he isn’t even a #1 CB. The only studs on defense are Parsons and Gregory. We need DLaw back. Osa and Diggs are solid. The defense has a lot of problems.

 

[rnr_honeybadger]

Of course, in the short run that was true today. But the offense is going to recover. This is the first egg the offense has laid this season. The defense is the bigger problem right now.

That is where it started. Can't even say the offense was misfiring, they literally were not firing at all. The run game had no punch, the WR's were dropping balls, the QB was overthrowing guys left and right and the Offensive Line was as stout as wet single ply toilet paper. Then you factor in the play calling where they kept trying to force the homerun ball instead of actually working their way to 3rd and short. No instead they run the ball into the defense, toss a bomb on 2nd down and then they try again on 3rd and long. All game it felt they were in 3rd and long situations instead of 3rd and short.

 

[Doomsday]

When are these coaches going to stop playing so softly on 1st and 2nd down and 20?

I have never seen a team so eager to let teams pick up chunk yards in those situations, stop playing scared, and stay aggressive.

3 times today Denver had 2nd and around 20 yards and all 3 times they ran the ball for 11 plus yards. You have to get off the field in those situations vs a mediocre offense. Instead they let them off the hook and put them in manageable 3rd down situations.

 

[Aven8]

Last week they gave up 278 and made the Vikes look boring. We’re fine

 

[TequilaCowboy]

Yeah, the defense took a big step back today after previously seeming to get better and better each week. But i agree that it was based off the offense performing at higher level and getting leads. Getting turnovers helped too. So it is back to the drawing board and figure out way to stop the runs up the middle. And minimize the big passing plays they give up. Offense and defense looked sluggish and not focused.

 

[fansince68]

Today was the worst day Dak and this Cowboys offense has had all season. The offense only had 57 plays for 300 yards, and many of the yards coming when the outcome was already decided. There were drops all over the place by receivers and an overall terrible job by the OL.

No question about it, the offense was putrid. But folks as bad as the offense played, it’s going to recover and rebound. Probably by next week.

The biggest problem with this team is by far the defense. As excited as we have been with its improvement this season, we must face the facts. If this defenses isn’t getting turnovers, they are mediocre at best.

Here’s part of what I mean:

• The first 6 games, we got 14 TOs from the opponents, and had 2 pick sixes.
  
• The last 2 games, we have stolen it zero times.
  
• A defense can cover up a ton of problems when you’re getting 2-3 TOs per game.

Another huge problem for this defense is it’s inability to stop the run. Look at the problems the rush defense has had- especially lately:

• We’ve given up two 100 yard games in 3 weeks and not exactly household names doing it:
  • Damien Harris of the pats gashed us for 101 yards on 18 carries.
  • Javonte Williams of the Broncos had 117 yards on 17 carries.
• The last 3 games, opponents are averaging nearly 5 yards per carry. If you can’t stop the run, you can’t stop anything else.

I’m not saying this defense is un-fixable or that it’s hopeless. In fact, this is a very young defensive team. There are multiple rookies getting lots of playing time which is good for their development. But even a guy like Parsons has a learning curve.

In closing- the key to our success this season IMO still rests squarely on the ability of the defense to improve. I’m still hopeful. Parsons, Osa, Golston and several other young players must keep developing for us to make a playoff run. It’s that simple.

The run defense against Minn and Dalvin Cook was spectacular. I had high hopes we would repeat against Broncos. I really think we had too much swagger after the Vikings game. Historically, we play down to the level of our opponent. It's rare that we get to see our backup qb get snaps due to a blowout game.

 

[Bobhaze]

I agree. We were stopping the run because teams were only passing on us. And we were creating turnovers because Diggs was gambling and winning. Well, now teams are running and passing, and they’re succeeding in both. And Diggs is gambling and losing, and he’s becoming a liability. If Parsons wasn’t such a stud, we’d be wishing we drafted Surtain. The reality is, Diggs isn’t a shutdown CB, he isn’t a MVP candidate, and he isn’t even a #1 CB. The only studs on defense are Parsons and Gregory. We need DLaw back. Osa and Diggs are solid. The defense has a lot of problems.

I still really like Diggs. But you can tell what opponents think about him. The Broncos threw at him 7-8 times today. Most teams are not afraid to throw his way because he gambles with angles a little too often. But he’s still a really good corner in only his second year. He’s still growing and learning.

 

[Cowboysheelsreds053]

Today was the worst day Dak and this Cowboys offense has had all season. The offense only had 57 plays for 300 yards, and many of the yards coming when the outcome was already decided. There were drops all over the place by receivers and an overall terrible job by the OL.

No question about it, the offense was putrid. But folks as bad as the offense played, it’s going to recover and rebound. Probably by next week.

The biggest problem with this team is by far the defense. As excited as we have been with its improvement this season, we must face the facts. If this defenses isn’t getting turnovers, they are mediocre at best.

Here’s part of what I mean:

• The first 6 games, we got 14 TOs from the opponents, and had 2 pick sixes.
  
• The last 2 games, we have stolen it zero times.
  
• A defense can cover up a ton of problems when you’re getting 2-3 TOs per game.

Another huge problem for this defense is it’s inability to stop the run. Look at the problems the rush defense has had- especially lately:

• We’ve given up two 100 yard games in 3 weeks and not exactly household names doing it:
  • Damien Harris of the pats gashed us for 101 yards on 18 carries.
  • Javonte Williams of the Broncos had 117 yards on 17 carries.
• The last 3 games, opponents are averaging nearly 5 yards per carry. If you can’t stop the run, you can’t stop anything else.

I’m not saying this defense is un-fixable or that it’s hopeless. In fact, this is a very young defensive team. There are multiple rookies getting lots of playing time which is good for their development. But even a guy like Parsons has a learning curve.

In closing- the key to our success this season IMO still rests squarely on the ability of the defense to improve. I’m still hopeful. Parsons, Osa, Golston and several other young players must keep developing for us to make a playoff run. It’s that simple.

Wow! Could not watch all of the game but a rookie Tar Heel went over a 100 yards against us. I think that is his first of the year too. Is the kid from Kentucky doing anything on the DL for us?

 

[JoeyBoy718]

I still really like Diggs. But you can tell what opponents think about him. The Broncos threw at him 7-8 times today. Most teams are not afraid to throw his way because he gambles with angles a little too often. But he’s still a really good corner in only his second year. He’s still growing and learning.

Sure. He’s a solid CB. But he’s not playing like the greatest CB of all time like people were alluding to a few weeks ago.

 

[Haimerej]

I still really like Diggs. But you can tell what opponents think about him. The Broncos threw at him 7-8 times today. Most teams are not afraid to throw his way because he gambles with angles a little too often. But he’s still a really good corner in only his second year. He’s still growing and learning.

He's got me thinking about Asante Samuel. Makes plays but gets burned just as often. Even while he was getting picks there were plays he seemed to take off. Not sure if it was him baiting a QB but when that doesn't work you get beat.

 

[Clove]

I like how we overrated and underrate 1st and 2nd year players. They aren't as good or as bad as they will eventually be.