Our defense in the 5 playoff losses in last decade

[fivetwos]

The 92 and 93 Cowboy's defense is why they won Super Bowls, they were incredible.

They were eight deep on the DL. The four backups could have started for a playoff caliber team.

But its certainly debatable as to if thats the top reason. If you tried to stop Emmitt you got beat over the top. Take out Irvin? You can try but then you get hit with Novacek and Harper. They were great on defense….but nearly unstoppable on offense. Haley really made all the difference on that team IMO so it can be called either way.

Hey it’s a good thing to be great and deep at every position.

 

[Chasing6]

I am sure the team is aware of all of that. But still choose not to do much about it is a big issue.
You can't fix everything in one off season. But it sure would help if they tried to do more than they have done.

They are probably confident that Eberflus and his new staff can fix, or at least make better the issues with the players they have and what they did with a few lower end FA's.

I know many fans will disagree with that, based on previous bad results. And understandable, we all are.

Again, we are back to, all we can do is see how it works out, and hope for the best.

I would hope you could fix it over 30 years.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Don't do that.
It's easy to blame the defense unless you actually watched and remember the games.
The defense gave up points because the Cowboys offense was non existent when the game was actually in contention.
Each time Dak Prescott choked early and left the Cowboys defense exposed and over worked.
The only reason the games were close at the end was because the opposing team took their foot off the gas once the game was decided and Dak racked up stats in a come from behind push against a prevent defense.
EVERY TIME, Dak Prescott choked. He committed turnovers.
Don't blindly post stats that make it seem different than what it was.

Sorry but giving up over 100 yards rushing in mess than a half is not on offense. We were within 8npoints in 4th quarter. But Rams drove down mostly with rushes and put game away.

When GB got the ball they drove down the field like hot knife through butter. No 3rd downs just converting first down over first down easily. That was the whole half.

Not excusing offense. But defense did suck. Bad offense just made it worse

And then you have KC. They couldn't get anything done offensively the whole first half against SF. Nothing. Zero points. But defense held them ton10 points. KC got 3 points at the endnof 2nd quarter.


Defense has to do its job too. When you allow 52% 3rd down conversion. It shows how badly you suck.

 

[StarOfGlory]

Offense is 11 players + Scheme+Playcalls+execution by 22 players on Offense , Offense is spelled OFFENSE not DAK Prescott...​

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the one game 11 penalties on the offensive line, the most consistent thing is no run game under 3 YPC with no big runs, no significant key plays, is what they bring to the playoffs..​

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that would be on the offensive line, that will be on the runner ,that would be on the game plan, the execution, and then when there is any time to throw which every once in a while it did happen, there was a lack of separation, so let's bring in all of the offense when you're blaming the lack of scoring or the lack of 3rd down percentage put it on the offense not DAK alone....​

All this is true. But there is another factor to add in.

Often teams will scheme to take away part of an offense. If a defense can take away the run game, the question becomes whether or not the rest of the offense is good enough to overcome the lack of a running game and still put points on the board.

We saw this with the last Super Bowl. The Chiefs completely sold out to stop Barkley and dared Hurts to lead the offense to scores without a run game. Hurts did this quite well. Hurts had the benefit of two stud receivers, an excellent tight end, and the best o-line I have seen since the early 90's Boys--and truth be told, they are probably just as good. Oh, he runs quite well himself. But he came through.

When we can't run the ball, our offense just isn't good enough against top defenses. I have seen games where our run game was taken away and forced our passing game to carry the team. Our passing game isn't good enough for a few reasons. Pass protection is poor too many times, receivers run poor routes, uncreative play calling--and poor QB play. Sometimes the poor QB play is due to Swiss cheese protection, the aforementioned bad route running, the also aforementioned uncreative play calling. But sometimes the poor QB play is simply because the QB played poorly himself. What gets the fanbase riled up is that someone earning what Dak earns is not supposed to play poorly in big games. Of course everyone has a bad game, even the best QB's ever.

Fans are angry for three decades of not even sniffing the NFCCG, let alone the Super Bowl. That starts from the top down--yes, looking at you Jerry--and includes everyone right down to the last guy on special teams. But while I think it's completely foolhardy to put the blame on Dak, he does deserve his fair share of the blame.

 

[Bobhaze]

Don't do that.
It's easy to blame the defense unless you actually watched and remember the games.
The defense gave up points because the Cowboys offense was non existent when the game was actually in contention.
Each time Dak Prescott choked early and left the Cowboys defense exposed and over worked.
The only reason the games were close at the end was because the opposing team took their foot off the gas once the game was decided and Dak racked up stats in a come from behind push against a prevent defense.
EVERY TIME, Dak Prescott choked. He committed turnovers.
Don't blindly post stats that make it seem different than what it was.

Lee, I stated in the OP that Dak certainly shares some blame. I’m just saying it’s not ALL on him.

Dak was awful against the pack in the 2023 WC game loss in the first half. No doubt. But it was 7-0 pack before we even touched the ball. Then Dak threw his first bad pick giving GB a short field. And of course the awful pick 6 before half. But Lee the defense allowed the pack to be 5/6 on key third downs…in the first half! Zero sacks.

In the 2016 playoff loss to GB and Aaron Rodgers, Dak was 24/38/305 yds, 3 TDs and 1 pick. The defense allowed 6 of 11 third down conversions, including the 3rd and 34 conversion that set up the packs winning FG.

Look, I’m not posting this to “defend” Dak. I’m just saying that the facts show our defense has been bad in the playoffs. Bad. And Dak, like all NFL QBs not named Mahomes or Burrow can’t carry an NFL team to playoff glory without some help.

 

[Chasing6]

and you want to absolve Dak of all blame
in three of those games the Defense was good enough but Dak was not

Let's take a look at he SB teams from last season.

Eagles defense on average gave up 17.8 points a game.

Chiefs defense on average gave up 19.2 points a game.

If on average can keep our opponents below 20 points a game, I like our chances.

On average last season, we scored 21.0 points per game with Dak out a majority of the season

 

[Chasing6]

Sorry but giving up over 100 yards rushing in mess than a half is not on offense. We were within 8npoints in 4th quarter. But Rams drove down mostly with rushes and put game away.

When GB got the ball they drove down the field like hot knife through butter. No 3rd downs just converting first down over first down easily. That was the whole half.

Not excusing offense. But defense did suck. Bad offense just made it worse

And then you have KC. They couldn't get anything done offensively the whole first half against SF. Nothing. Zero points. But defense held them ton10 points. KC got 3 points at the endnof 2nd quarter.


Defense has to do its job too. When you allow 52% 3rd down conversion. It shows how badly you suck.

I wonder how we finished games in the 90's. Pretty sure it was our run game and E. Smith eating up the clock on the ground.

Key stats to winning games:

1. Time of possession - damn near impossible when you can't run or stop the run.
2. Turnover Battle - when playing from behind you turn the ball over more frequently.
3. Average yards per play - when you can't run the ball effectively, this has a huge negative impact.
4. Red Zone Efficiency - when you have no run game, the defense can play one dimensional.
5. Total Yards

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I'm the biggest proponent of good defense you'll find. I hate how it's been a second-class citizen at least since Wade was here.

But the first two Niner games weren't bad by the defense, and the second game was actually good. That was all on the offense.

And I'm sorry -- yes, the defense was awful against Green Bay, but you can't ignore that Dak threw one INT inside his own 20 when it was 7-0 and then a backbreaking pick-6 when it was 20-0 and we were driving. You just can't.

 

[fivetwos]

Lee, I stated in the OP that Dak certainly shares some blame. I’m just saying it’s not ALL on him.

Dak was awful against the pack in the 2023 WC game loss in the first half. No doubt. But it was 7-0 pack before we even touched the ball. Then Dak threw his first bad pick giving GB a short field. And of course the awful pick 6 before half. But Lee the defense allowed the pack to be 5/6 on key third downs…in the first half! Zero sacks.

In the 2016 playoff loss to GB and Aaron Rodgers, Dak was 24/38/305 yds, 3 TDs and 1 pick. The defense allowed 6 of 11 third down conversions, including the 3rd and 34 conversion that set up the packs winning FG.

Look, I’m not posting this to “defend” Dak. I’m just saying that the facts show our defense has been bad in the playoffs. Bad. And Dak, like all NFL QBs not named Mahomes or Burrow can’t carry an NFL team to playoff glory without some help.

Not sure why it’s such a difficult concept around here that more than one area of a team has to be on point to win playoff football.

The defense stunk in some cases, as did Prescott. Either one will do you in against a good team. Assigning blame properly…if possible…doesn’t change the result.

It’s up to the front office to fix deficiencies. Not much more needs to be said in that regard.

 

[ShortRound]

Defense was bad I will agree. But Dak as a leader and 17% of the cap needs to step up. Time to earn his pay. When was the last time we felt confidence in his ability going into a playoff game?

 

[Bobhaze]

Defense was bad I will agree. But Dak as a leader and 17% of the cap needs to step up. Time to earn his pay. When was the last time we felt confidence in his ability going into a playoff game?

100%

 

[Bobhaze]

Heads up everyone. Let’s leave the insults out of here. I know the Dak discussions always lead to someone wanting to toss a grenade at someone else. Let’s keep it civil.

Remember…this ain’t an eagles forum. We can agree to disagree without acting like we’re throwing battery filled snowballs at Santa Claus.

Someone make a comment to piss you off? Two options:

1. Disagree and say why.
2. Ignore.

Not options around here:

1. Name calling and insults.
2. Calling someone out. (Naming someone in a negative light)

Remember - this is a Cowboys forum not an eagles mud fest.

 

[75boyz]

Averages are fine.

But my opinion is that in 2 of those 5 the defense played well enough to win in only giving up 23 and 19 points in the back to back year 49er losses.

i believe it has become so much an expectation of defensive failure that when the defense does plays well enough to win, it skews many members objectivity in determining that the offense is supposed to help the defense as well.

The simple premise of remembering that every time a score is given up that means the offense will be given that exact same opportunity to match that score by the opponent.

What is done with that offensive opportunity(s) is constantly forgotten on this forum in order to bolster the it was "all the defenses fault" opinion.

jmo

 

[Bobhaze]

I'm the biggest proponent of good defense you'll find. I hate how it's been a second-class citizen at least since Wade was here.

But the first two Niner games weren't bad by the defense, and the second game was actually good. That was all on the offense.

And I'm sorry -- yes, the defense was awful against Green Bay, but you can't ignore that Dak threw one INT inside his own 20 when it was 7-0 and then a backbreaking pick-6 when it was 20-0 and we were driving. You just can't.

Choc, I agree with you on one of those games.

But the one thing I disagree with you is the first niner playoff loss at home in the WC round. We lost 23-17. The biggest problem we had for three qtrs (besides having 14 penalties, 5 of which were the D lining up offsides) was we could not stop their run game. We gave up 169 yards rushing and all but about ten of those yards were in the first three qtrs.

I agree with you on the second SF loss (at SF) 19-12. Our defense played pretty well. Other than giving up too many 3rd down conversions. But holding your opponent to 19 should get you a win most of the time.

 

[blueblood70]

Dak was awful against the pack in the 2023 WC game loss in the first half. No doubt. But it was 7-0 pack before we even touched the ball. Then Dak threw his first bad pick giving GB a short field. And of course the awful pick 6 before half. But Lee the defense allowed the pack to be 5/6 on key third downs…in the first half! Zero sacks.

No don't let these people bully you and somehow it's smart and eloquent as you try to put things in here you don't know what those interceptions were apparently you didn't go back and look where all have PTSD from that game maybe he should have thrown the ball over there to Brandon Cooks but when you're trying to make plays you go ahead and try to make him but that ball got intercepted because Brandon Cooks was interfered with not once but twice go watch it watching slow motion watch him being pulled down from the back and then have his shoulder grabbed for leverage so the defender can grab the football and give them that short field you're talking about and the second interception watch it again ask Lamb what he was supposed to do on that play he literally was supposed to stay crossing he was supposed to keep coming across the field and he admitted he went rogue he went off script prescott was going to put the ball out there try to make a play and Lamb broke up field for no reason other than he thought the play wasn't going to work as design so he put his foot in the ground and turned upfield and I believe that was the pick 6 I mean of course Prescott didn't play well but don't blame those interceptions they all have a story I challenge you to go rewatch those about three times each in slow motion and find out that those were not the type of interceptions you blame on the quarterback that's just one of those things where the play broke down they're all responsible for the loss offense defense special teams and coaching you're being bullied into changing your mind and saying no doubt no I have a doubt i've rewatched those plays more than three times each and I remembered what was talked about and you're dismissing the fact that those players themselves on the field created the situation for the interceptions that's not an excuse those are facts sure maybe he shouldn't let the ball go maybe he should have threw him out of bound maybe he should have just took a knee and lost anyway never gonna lose the defense wasn't gonna stop anybody all game they were losing that game one way or the other there's no way they could have scored enough to win that game not the way our defense was playing. Story and yes there's not a lot of. Tired of this I am so sick of this people don't even remember the interceptions I do.

I remember that interception he threw in the Philadelphia game a couple years ago on the first series of the game and then came back and beat Philadelphia but that was horrible that was a terrible interception i've seen some bad throws and some bad interceptions that could be blamed on the quarterback and on Prescott for sure but those two weren't it they just weren't go look at them again and then again and again and then come back and tell me what you saw this is your homework because I'm sick of hearing about how he put the defense in bad position because of those interceptions and no he didn't the defense was going to give up over 30 anyway but those two interceptions happen because the play broke down....

 

[JohnnyTheFox]

Bob, unless I misinterpreted your post the wild card victory over the Buccaneers was 2023

 

[75boyz]

I'm the biggest proponent of good defense you'll find. I hate how it's been a second-class citizen at least since Wade was here.

But the first two Niner games weren't bad by the defense, and the second game was actually good. That was all on the offense.

And I'm sorry -- yes, the defense was awful against Green Bay, but you can't ignore that Dak threw one INT inside his own 20 when it was 7-0 and then a backbreaking pick-6 when it was 20-0 and we were driving. You just can't.

My opinion strongly aligns with yours.

 

[Pass2Run]

After reading thoughts shared in this thread, I'll say I still think it's likely they add more players especially at DT.

It's not over yet.

 

[Bobhaze]

Bob, unless I misinterpreted your post the wild card victory over the Buccaneers was 2023

It happened on Jan.16, 2023 but it was part of the 2022 season.

 

[leeblair]

Lee, I stated in the OP that Dak certainly shares some blame. I’m just saying it’s not ALL on him.

Dak was awful against the pack in the 2023 WC game loss in the first half. No doubt. But it was 7-0 pack before we even touched the ball. Then Dak threw his first bad pick giving GB a short field. And of course the awful pick 6 before half. But Lee the defense allowed the pack to be 5/6 on key third downs…in the first half! Zero sacks.

In the 2016 playoff loss to GB and Aaron Rodgers, Dak was 24/38/305 yds, 3 TDs and 1 pick. The defense allowed 6 of 11 third down conversions, including the 3rd and 34 conversion that set up the packs winning FG.

Look, I’m not posting this to “defend” Dak. I’m just saying that the facts show our defense has been bad in the playoffs. Bad. And Dak, like all NFL QBs not named Mahomes or Burrow can’t carry an NFL team to playoff glory without some help.

But the defense really wasn't. They were facing real competition with no help from their offense when the game was on the line. The games got out of hand because the Cowboys offense shut down
I watched a non-existent Cowboys offense keep giving the ball to the opposing team.
When the defense has to carry the weight and they know their offense is not going to produce, they slowly give up.
And you can tell it has gotten worse as time progressed. The Cowboys players, despite what they say to the media, have lost faith in Dak Prescott.
Even in 2016 the Packers were way ahead because Dak choked early. The Packers relaxed and the Cowboys caught up. But it never was a real game after the first half.