Our Defense is *Even Worse* than You Thought. Here, the Receipts

[T-RO]

We all know that garbage time in football games--where one team is way ahead--pollutes box scores and stats in general. We often think of the Cowboys stacking up empty offensive stats late when games are decided....But that's true for defensive stats too!

I have a database that tracks several teams and can filter plays when a blow-out is occurring. Check this out.

When the Cowboys are playing competitive downs where the game outcome isn't settled... the defense yields:
6.5 yards per play | A QBR of 113.5

When in blow-out situations the defense yields:
4.7 yards per play | A QBR of 78.1

So as bad as the 'Boys' defensive numbers are...points allowed, yards yielded, league ranking...it's actually much worse. Opponents are beating the crap out of Dallas and just ease up with massive leads. The only team that didn't ease up on Dallas was the Lions.

 

[nate dizzle]

Makes sense.

Glad we're all in agreement that garbage time exists now.

 

[Creeper]

You don't have to try to convince me. I've seen them play.

 

[kskboys]

We all know that garbage time in football games--where one team is way ahead--pollutes box scores and stats in general. We often think of the Cowboys stacking up empty offensive stats late when games are decided....But that's true for defensive stats too!

I have a database that tracks several teams and can filter plays when a blow-out is occurring. Check this out.

When the Cowboys are playing competitive downs where the game outcome isn't settled... the defense yields:
6.5 yards per play | A QBR of 113.5

When in blow-out situations the defense yields:
4.7 yards per play | A QBR of 78.1

So as bad as the 'Boys' defensive numbers are...points allowed, yards yielded, league ranking...it's actually much worse. Opponents are beating the crap out of Dallas and just ease up with massive leads. The only team that didn't ease up on Dallas was the Lions.

It ain't worse than what I think!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Coogiguy03]

More of reason to be so upset with how this team has been constructed or lack thereof!!! Kudos to Jerry and company!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[kskboys]

Hankins was a revelation at NT. 3 something YPC w/ him playing, over 5 w/o. Sooooooooooooo, we let him walk for peanuts.

 

[T-RO]

The thing that many don't fully get:
It's the pass defense and lack of pass rush that have been the chief killer. The run defense has been well below average, but ranks #22 in yards per carry allowed.

The pass defense on the other hand...31st! Bottom of the barrel. I'm sure some of that would be different with a healthy Bland and healthy edge rushers. But what a putrid display.

 

[KJJ]

I can’t even remember the last time the Cowboys had a defense I was proud of. The defense started off looking great in 2022. We were on pace to break the all-time sack record. It was one of the main reasons we were winning games with Cooper Rush. Even our run defense looked pretty good but as the season went on the pass rush and overall defense sputtered out.

 

[G2]

It's only garbage, conveniently, when the attempted come-back isn't successful. Kind of a weird concept.
I can see Philly keeping the foot one the gas.

 

[G2]

I can’t even remember the last time the Cowboys had a defense I was proud of. The defense started off looking great in 2022. We were on pace to break the all-time sack record. It was one of the main reasons we were winning games with Cooper Rush. Even our run defense looked pretty good but as the season went on the pass rush and overall defense sputtered out.

Their turnovers dropped off too.

 

[blueblood70]

right no shocker now the OL analytics, run game, blocking, coaching etc ..feels like 2020 all over again,, Team sucks QB is blamed for blockholes all over.

 

[KJJ]

Their turnovers dropped off too.

Everything dropped off. Nothing has disappointed me more over the years than our defense. Never any consistency. It can look real good one week and horrible the next.

 

[maryquality]

Everything dropped off. Nothing has disappointed me more over the years than our defense. Never any consistency.

Yeah, but the defense definitely took a nose dive in the worst way!!

 

[FanofJerry]

Judging any player based on this years team is unfair...I think multiple players have known about a possible tank for a many weeks now, most of it started the game Parsons, DLaw, Diggs went down.

Another odd thing...I have noticed for a number of weeks now is the big time Cowboys youtubers have been hinting at a tank too by talking about trades, draft and what Cowboys are trying to do.....as if they were checked out weeks ago, not talking about the current on-field product and their next opponent and what not.

Last week with all the injuries and flags on 3rd and short confirmed a tank was called in.

You cant judge a player on a bad team, especially when the coaching calls are obviously purposefully sabotaging the team.

 

[KJJ]

Yeah, but the defense definitely took a nose dive in the worst way!!

It all starts up front and the Cowboys have one of the worst, if not the worst DL’s in the league. We’ve had to depend on Mazi this season and he’s a below average player. Even when Parsons was healthy we had very little pass rush. Our run D is as bad as I’ve ever seen it and we’re not coming up with turnovers. Bland being out has really hurt us in that area.

 

[shabazz]

Opponents are beating the crap out of Dallas and just ease up with massive leads. The only team that didn't ease up on Dallas was the Lions.

And ironically enough, Dallas is know for keeping in their offensive starters in the games till the last snap we we are blowing out teams

 

[kskboys]

The thing that many don't fully get:
It's the pass defense and lack of pass rush that have been the chief killer. The run defense has been well below average, but ranks #22 in yards per carry allowed.

The pass defense on the other hand...31st! Bottom of the barrel. I'm sure some of that would be different with a healthy Bland and healthy edge rushers. But what a putrid display.

Misleading. The Run D is overrated due to a couple of games where we were able to run blitz relentlessly due to a poor passing threat. PITT and NYG come to mind.

 

[T-RO]

It's only garbage, conveniently, when the attempted come-back isn't successful. Kind of a weird concept.
I can see Philly keeping the foot one the gas.

In my football database I have two levels of "garbage"
Level One: One team is far enough ahead that they have winning odds around 98%.
Level Two: The odds are 99.9%-100% that the game is over. Plays and drives are irrelevant.

Here's why it matters when judging a game or a team...

When one team is up, say 24-3 early third quarter...everything about the game and the team's goals change.
-Losing team is risking everything, throwing 80% of the time, going for 4th downs.
-Winning team is focused on avoiding risk, burning time, avoiding injuries

It's like they are playing with two sets of "rules".

 

[Buzzbait]

Hankins was a revelation at NT. 3 something YPC w/ him playing, over 5 w/o. Sooooooooooooo, we let him walk for peanuts.

Deep breath, SMH. Yup. Jerry just piles mistakes on top of mistakes.

 

[G2]

In my football database I have two levels of "garbage"
Level One: One team is far enough ahead that they have winning odds around 98%.
Level Two: The odds are 99.9%-100% that the game is over. Plays and drives are irrelevant.

Here's why it matters when judging a game or a team...

When one team is up, say 24-3 early third quarter...everything about the game and the team's goals change.
-Losing team is risking everything, throwing 80% of the time, going for 4th downs.
-Winning team is focused on avoiding risk, burning time, avoiding injuries

It's like they are playing with two sets of "rules".

I don't subscribe to the idea is all. The game is 60 minutes. You go deep down the rabbit hole of cherry picking to support any idea. Just isn't for me.