NFC East Rushing Defenses Rankings

[The Quest for Six]

When was the last time you saw a defense keep the opposing offense from scoring in a game?

Defense wins championships isn't accurate.

Superbowl winners tell a different story.....I believe last year 7 of the 10 playoff teams had a top ten defense...Defense wins championships ......Broncos defense shut down Carolina top ranked offense last Superbowl..The stats don't lie

 

[Zekeats]

Think Elliot is good for 5ypc with this oline...he might not be explosive and as shifty as a back like Gurley but his running style suits the offensive line.

It's almost like a Barry vs. Emmitt comparison. Sure we all know Barry was the better runner but Emmitt was the better all-around running back and especially for this team. I am not so sure that if we had Barry during the 90s that we walk away with 3 titles.

 

[Sydla]

I don't think these teams have done much to improve their rushing defenses in the offseason.

Eagles going to a 4-3 and have a new defensive coordinator. They tried to fit some square pegs in a round hole with their 3-4 defense under Kelly. They had guys likely playing positions they weren't great fits for - Curry played DE in a 3-4 and sometimes trying him then at OLB, Brandon Graham as a 3-4 OLB.

Will be interesting to see what they have now with Schwartz running a 4-3.

 

[Sydla]

Yes, Chip's style did not allow Eagles d to really have a chance to be even average. not that I think they would have been even a top 15, but the stats would have been better.
And if things go in 2016 as they did in 2014, the Dallas defense will have around 12 plays less per game.

That's not true.

According to Pro Football Reference, the Cowboys defense faced 997 snaps in 2015 and 978 snaps in 2014. A difference of 19 snaps, which works out to a little more than one a game.

Not 12.

 

[jazzcat22]

That's not true.

According to Pro Football Reference, the Cowboys defense faced 997 snaps in 2015 and 978 snaps in 2014. A difference of 19 snaps, which works out to a little more than one a game.

Not 12.

Was just going by what was said on ESPN or NFLN...never can trust them dudes.
maybe they were referring to 2013 vs 2014, so looking for a similar drop from 2015 to 2106

 

[DandyDon52]

Eagles going to a 4-3 and have a new defensive coordinator. They tried to fit some square pegs in a round hole with their 3-4 defense under Kelly. They had guys likely playing positions they weren't great fits for - Curry played DE in a 3-4 and sometimes trying him then at OLB, Brandon Graham as a 3-4 OLB.

Will be interesting to see what they have now with Schwartz running a 4-3.

So they got Schwartz as DC ?? wow bad news, wish we could have got him.
He is better than marinelli.

This is one area dallas is flawed, they wont upgrade coaches, they just keep on with same guys,
unless the guy decides to leave or retire.

To just continue with marinelli is like saying he is best DC in NFL !
NO matter what DC comes available dallas will stay with marinelli as long as he is liked too.
Part of it is not how good they are, lol but do we like them lol.

 

[KJJ]

It does, if you've got a good passing game to start with. If not, you get what happened to the Bucs and Cowboys in 2015 -- and what would have happened to the Rams and Vikings if their defenses hadn't been good enough -- double-digit losses. If we stay healthy, the offense will be more than good enough. But unless we get really lucky with the schedule, I'm afraid the defense will struggle.

You can come up with whatever stats you want to fit your belief that our running game in 2015 was efficient and was better than it was in 2014 but the Cowboys obviously didn't believe that nor did those who analyze the game for a living which is why the team made the moves they did at RB. Unless the defense surprises with a couple of rookies making a significant impact it will struggle especially the first 4 weeks of the season with what little pass rush we had from last season gone. Hardy is gone permanently and DLaw our leading sacker from last season will be suspended the first 4 games. Gregory did nothing last season and if he can't stay off pot his career will never get off the ground.

 

[TwoDeep3]

Superbowl winners tell a different story.....I believe last year 7 of the 10 playoff teams had a top ten defense...Defense wins championships ......Broncos defense shut down Carolina top ranked offense last Superbowl..The stats don't lie

It's a myth. There is nothing constant in the NFL any longer.

 

[percyhoward]

You can come up with whatever stats you want to fit your belief that our running game in 2015 was efficient and was better than it was in 2014 but the Cowboys obviously didn't believe that nor did those who analyze the game for a living which is why the team made the moves they did at RB.

When Romo was healthy, Murray had 1,845 yards in 2014, running behind an OL that will be even better this year. As long is Romo is healthy, it's safe to say this team doesn't need the best RB in the draft to match that kind of production. The team's second pick won't even play this year. They were trying to get Lynch. This draft was all about life after Romo.

 

[The Quest for Six]

It's a myth. There is nothing constant in the NFL any longer.

The Jerry Jones thinking, and people wonder why it's twenty years and no Superbowl appearance for the Cowboys....Bears, Ravens Giants, Seattle, Denver, Patriots would tell you otherwise and the stats back it up...DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS......The last three Cowboy championships, ranked 1,2,and 3 on defense, but it's a myth, yeah OK.....

 

[Alexander]

Looking at last year is a little irrelevant unless the personnel stayed the same.

The Giants added a big time two gap NT in Harrison. Dallas added an upgrade in Thornton to Hayden. Commanders might be weaker without a big body at nose, which they failed to address.

About the only team unchanged is Philadelphia.

 

[KJJ]

When Romo was healthy, Murray had 1,845 yards in 2014, running behind an OL that will be even better this year. As long is Romo is healthy, it's safe to say this team doesn't need the best RB in the draft to match that kind of production. The team's second pick won't even play this year. They were trying to get Lynch. This draft was all about life after Romo.

Having a healthy Romo certainly helped but it was Murray staying healthy in 2014 that led to that big season and the Cowboys running game ranking #2. In the years Murray couldn't stay healthy the Cowboys running game never ranked higher than 18th despite Romo playing in every game but one from 2011 to 2013. It's safe to say the Cowboys need a better than average RB despite their OL it was proven last season. You're still believe from being absorbed in all your stats that the running game was better in 2015 than in 2014 which is ridiculous! You still believe any average back is all the team needs to be successful. Why not pair the best back in college football with arguably the best OL in the NFL? Aren't you even curious to see what might happen?

Until the defense starts to improve our best defense is going to be our offense by controlling the ball and putting points on the board. This draft was about helping Romo while he still has some time left and to try and prepare for life without him which is why the team attempted to trade up for Lynch. If the draft was all about life after Romo we wouldn't have taken an RB 4th overall. RBs don't have a long shelf life so when you draft one high you're not thinking too far beyond the life of your current QB especially when you still have one of the better QBs in the league. The Cowboys saw what Murray did for Romo in 2014 and what he did for the team and we're trying to get back to that in 2016.

 

[percyhoward]

RB's don't have a long shelf life so when you draft one high you're not thinking too far beyond the life of your current QB especially when you still have one of the better QBs in the league. The Cowboys saw what Murray did for Romo in 2014 and what he did for the team and we're trying to get back to that in 2016.

We could have had Miller for basically the same price, if that were the case. By drafting a RB in the 1st round, they got a player who they think can be a face of the franchise through at least 2020, when a 40-year old Romo is tearing up the PGA tour.

As for the "offense is our best defense" theory, I'll take the good defense that faces 12 drives per game, and you can have the bad one that faces 10.

 

[Sydla]

Looking at last year is a little irrelevant unless the personnel stayed the same.

The Giants added a big time two gap NT in Harrison. Dallas added an upgrade in Thornton to Hayden. Commanders might be weaker without a big body at nose, which they failed to address.

About the only team unchanged is Philadelphia.

Philly is changed in the sense that they are switching systems and have a real coordinator now in Schwartz. They also added a S who I think is pretty good and gives them a nice pair of safeties with Jenkins.

 

[Zekeats]

That's not true.

According to Pro Football Reference, the Cowboys defense faced 997 snaps in 2015 and 978 snaps in 2014. A difference of 19 snaps, which works out to a little more than one a game.

Not 12.

Different kind of snaps though when the opposing team is trailing instead of winning!

 

[jday]

When Romo was healthy, Murray had 1,845 yards in 2014, running behind an OL that will be even better this year. As long is Romo is healthy, it's safe to say this team doesn't need the best RB in the draft to match that kind of production. The team's second pick won't even play this year. They were trying to get Lynch. This draft was all about life after Romo.

Elliott, in my opinion, was a clear win now move, as was the 3rd and the 4th players taken. The latter moves could potentially contribute in a limited manner, particularly on special teams. I respect your opinion - I'm familiar with your additions and typically agree - but on this I will need further convincing.

 

[dallasdave]

Elliott, in my opinion, was a clear win now move, as was the 3rd and the 4th players taken. The latter moves could potentially contribute in a limited manner, particularly on special teams. I respect your opinion - I'm familiar with your additions and typically agree - but on this I will need further convincing.

Win Now

 

[KJJ]

We could have had Miller for basically the same price, if that were the case. By drafting a RB in the 1st round, they got a player who they think can be a face of the franchise through at least 2020, when a 40-year old Romo is tearing up the PGA tour.

As for the "offense is our best defense" theory, I'll take the good defense that faces 12 drives per game, and you can have the bad one that faces 10.

With as many holes as the defense has Miller wouldn't have made a significant difference because one great player doesn't make a great unit we found that out with Demarcus Ware. Where were you during all those years? During some of Ware's most productive seasons the Cowboys were going 8-8 or missing the playoffs with 9 wins because he wasn't receiving much help. When close to 80% of your sacks are coming from one player it's hard for that player to make a significant impact on your W/L record. Miller would run into the same problem with the Cowboys Ware did and the defense appears to have even less talent now than it did during Ware's prime. By the time we added enough talent around Miller to provide some help if we could even do that he would be at least 30 and on the way down. The best defense the Bronco's have had in years Miller only had 11 sacks because he had a lot of help around him including Ware on the other side. He was able to make a huge impact with some game changing plays because of the talent around him.

Haley never had to put up a lot sacks with the Cowboys because of all the help he had from being on a talented defense that had other playmakers. Opponents trying to contain Haley freed up other players to the QB. To have a great pass rush you need more than one great pass rusher. The Cowboys made the right choice by drafting Zeke because no player they could have taken would help the team or Romo more than him. You can't see it because you continue to think the running game last season was better than in 2014 which is ludicrous! All the Cowboys championship teams featured elite backs who could put TD's on the board. In 1971 Duane Thomas led the Cowboys with 11 rushing TDs and Calvin Hill added 8 more. Go look at all the TD's Emmitt put up during the Cowboys championship years. Drafting Zeke was all about helping Romo in hopes we can compete for a championship before he's done.

Once he's done it could be back to what it was like after Aikman was released. We'll be stuck struggling with journeyman's until we may have to do what Philly and the Rams did and that's give up the farm to move up in the draft for a QB. Teams have gone YEARS struggling to find a QB the Cowboys have already been there and they're trying to win while they still have one of the better QBs in the league. Romo needs a running game to lean on led by a real game changing threat and no stat you'll ever come up with will convince any knowledgeable fan that our running game in 2015 was better than it was in 2014. You need to reassess these stats you're coming up with because as gullible as most FANS are here even some of them aren't buying what you and Adam are trying to sell.

 

[percyhoward]

Elliott, in my opinion, was a clear win now move, as was the 3rd and the 4th players taken. The latter moves could potentially contribute in a limited manner, particularly on special teams. I respect your opinion - I'm familiar with your additions and typically agree - but on this I will need further convincing.

What it basically comes down to is I just have a lot more faith in our OL than in our defense.

 

[jday]

What it basically comes down to is I just have a lot more faith in our OL than in our defense.

I suspect the Cowboys brass would agree with you there and was a big reason behind Zeke...not the only reason and certainly not the most significant. For me, if Zeke wasn't available in this draft the Cowboys would have traded down.