PFF: Just How Good Was the Cowboys Run Defense in 2016?

[MrMom]

If you paid attention to the NFL at all last fall you know how good the Cowboys run game was. What you might not have realized though, was how good their run defense was in 2016. While they didn’t actually lead the league in rushing, they led the league in rushing defense, allowing a paltry 83.5 yards per game. Now some of that was due to the fact that their opponents had to play catchup a lot of the time, but their 3.9 yards per carry against was still the eighth best figure in the league.

The most impressive part of it all, though, is the personnel they do it with along the defensive line. There’s no big names. There’s no big money. Heck, because they don’t utilize a true nose tackle there’s no real big men even. What they do have is one of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL. Rod Marinelli has been coaching defense in the league for 20 years now and at every stop he’s been he’s employed an aggressive one gapping defense.

Read more - https://www.profootballfocus.com/pro-just-how-good-was-the-dallas-cowboys-run-defense-in-2016/

 

[robjay04]

Our rushing defense was a pleasant surprise but I always got the feeling that teams could have ran on us if they stuck to it. It's just hard to stick to the running game when you're going against an offense as efficient as the Cowboys were last season playing from behind.

I rewatched the Lions game not long ago...I had to fast forward through the defense, we made a no name back look like Adrian Peterson in his prime.

 

[T-RO]

Our rushing defense was a pleasant surprise but I always got the feeling that teams could have ran on us if they stuck to it. It's just hard to stick to the running game when you're going against an offense as efficient as the Cowboys were last season playing from behind.

I rewatched the Lions game not long ago...I had to fast forward through the defense, we made a no name back look lik Adrian Peterson in his prime.

I look forward to continuing my review of the games and I'll make it a point of emphasis to look at opposing team's run efficiency.

All I can say is that in games 1 and 2 we were *badly* gashed in the running game. It certainly impacted the outcome in game 1 as the Giants were able to get repeated first downs running despite the fact we knew runs were coming.

 

[xwalker]

I look forward to continuing my review of the games and I'll make it a point of emphasis to look at opposing team's run efficiency.

All I can say is that in games 1 and 2 we were *badly* gashed in the running game. It certainly impacted the outcome in game 1 as the Giants were able to get repeated first downs running despite the fact we knew runs were coming.

Marinelli changed the lineup after that. He moved Crawford to LDE and Collins became the starter at 3tech. The run defense was immediately better.

 

[cowboyblue22]

the run defense was good but the pass defense as it has been for a long time was still awful to advance and be a contender you have to be able to stop the other qb's and that combined with other things they were one and done and if it don't get better this year when they meet Rodgers or matt ryan then they will lose again

 

[conner01]

The run defense benifits from the offense forcing teams to pass to keep up
The pass defense suffers from teams passing to keep up as well as a lack of pressure
Better coverage helps the pass rush, better pass rush helps the coverage
Get both clicking together and you got something

 

[StarBoyz83]

Wish the run game would work in madden it's dumb lol

Run defense is pretty stout on madden though.

 

[jrumann59]

I do not recall many front line runners facing this defense, last year.

 

[robjay04]

I do not recall many front line runners facing this defense, last year.

You are correct.

Off the top of my head...Bell? And he pretty much did what he wanted to do. We did go against Howard but that was before he really found his groove.

I'm sure I'm missing someone.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

The defense couldn't be good against the run.


I've read it here that the defensive line is crap.

 

[Biggems]

Our rushing defense was a pleasant surprise but I always got the feeling that teams could have ran on us if they stuck to it. It's just hard to stick to the running game when you're going against an offense as efficient as the Cowboys were last season playing from behind.

I rewatched the Lions game not long ago...I had to fast forward through the defense, we made a no name back look like Adrian Peterson in his prime.

Then at halftime we made adjustments and they did almost nothing the rest of the game.

 

[robjay04]

Then at halftime we made adjustments and they did almost nothing the rest of the game.

They also got away from the run and our offense kept scoring forcing the Lions to play catch up.

 

[Doomsday101]

I think a lot of credit to run defense was the play of Lee. The guy was meeting RB in the hole and making the tackles. I think as a whole the defense played above their talent level problem is when you get into post season and you are facing the elite offensive teams who are playing their best ball you need real talent.

 

[Longboysfan]

The run defense benifits from the offense forcing teams to pass to keep up
The pass defense suffers from teams passing to keep up as well as a lack of pressure
Better coverage helps the pass rush, better pass rush helps the coverage
Get both clicking together and you got something

Getting better cover corners like we did last year and hopefully this year will show up about game 7 this coming season.

 

[Proof]

You are correct.

Off the top of my head...Bell? And he pretty much did what he wanted to do. We did go against Howard but that was before he really found his groove.

I'm sure I'm missing someone.

Well you’re probably thinking of the fact that he had 9 catches for 77 yards.

Rushing the ball he carried the ball 17 times for 57 yards, so yeah.

Zenner looked like a hall of gamer though

 

[erod]

I watched the Eagles run literally at will against Dallas for 3 1/2 quarters. Then, for some unknown reason, they stopped running. Strangely coached game, that was.

 

[conner01]

Getting better cover corners like we did last year and hopefully this year will show up about game 7 this coming season.

Hopefully with some help from the pass rush but I agree, the young kids should start clicking by mid season

 

[robjay04]

Well you’re probably thinking of the fact that he had 9 catches for 77 yards.

Rushing the ball he carried the ball 17 times for 57 yards, so yeah.

Zenner looked like a hall of gamer though

You're right.

Still believe he had some effective runs though when the Steelers needed them. I'm not sure...I'll have to rewatch the game. It's a good thing it's part of the Dallas Cowboys marathon on NFLN on July 4th.

 

[OldCoach]

Sean Lee played like a first ballot hall of famer last year. The guy reads plays so well. He has to spend endless hours each week studying film.

This is the reason why our defense was good enough to win 13 games.

 

[McGillicutty]

I think the results are skewed in that teams were playing from behind alot and couldnt run on us as much.

I'd like to see #s on the amount of running plays defended