Prevent defense question

[Established1971]

I have been hearing fans rail against the prevent defense for many years. I have heard the joke "all it prevents you from doing is win" many times, each time the person cutting the pun acts like they are the first ever. Now in this case today, no real harm done, and it definitely did not "prevent a win" as the joke goes.

But let me ask those more knowledgeable than I, what really is the point of it? The Rams marched down the field in the 8th 8th of the game twice like a hot knife through butter.

What are coaches thinking? Is it to contain the game to the inside, therefore taking more time off the clock faster? is it to prevent needless injuries?

It never works. The Cowboy linebackers were 15 yards back and the d-backs were even further.

I am just wondering if there is something I am not considering?

 

[Doomsday]

That is one of the few times it makes sense to play prevent. Keep everything in front of you and make them chew the clock.

No reason to give up a big play even if it is unlikely they can comeback.

 

[TexasBoys2288]

That is one of the few times it makes sense to play prevent. Keep everything in front of you and make them chew the clock.

No reason to give up a big play even if it is unlikely they can comeback.

I hate the prevent, but if you are up big and in garbage time it works. Problem in years past is prevent when up by a single score.

 

[Fizziksman]

you play prevent if you are up like two or more scores and you want the other team to run clock. giving up a quick strikes gets them back in the game while giving up a 5-6 minute drive with 8 minutes to go gives your offense a chance to ice it.

 

[adamknite]

Notice their last drive was a an 11 play drive that took 2:20 off an about 3 minutes clock? That's why. 44-21 is just the same of a win as 44-15.

 

[tomsanders921]

Prevent was the right call today. The issue I have is still having the starting dline and corners in there. If u are letting them dink and dunk down the field why risk injury to important players. The game was over. When u are giving them the five to ten yard play with no resistance, u aren't going to get a sack

 

[Oz-of-Cowboy-Country]

I am just wondering if there is something I am not considering?

You may not be considering the score. Playing prevent in a one possession game is a death sentence. But with a multiple score lead, it just leads to garbage time yards and points.

 

[Chrispierce]

It’s one of my main gripes with Rod....I can’t stand it. It’s just a thing now we do...it’s that common,and disgusts me to no end. Letting them have 2tds to finish it out? That’s nothing to be proud of. One maybe,not 2....so won’t miss Rod’s wonderful soft ball zone.

 

[TheHerd]

Notice their last drive was a an 11 play drive that took 2:20 off an about 3 minutes clock? That's why. 44-21 is just the same of a win as 44-15.

2:20 isn't much. Up the 4 scores it's fine, but within 2 and that's a possible loss. I hate prevent D.

 

[adamknite]

2:20 isn't much. Up the 4 scores it's fine, but within 2 and that's a possible loss. I hate prevent D.

2:20 is roughly 85% of the time that was left on the clock.

 

[TheHerd]

2:20 is roughly 85% of the time that was left on the clock.

Oh yeah, when there's three minutes left, you're right. But we go into prevent for the entire 4th quarter typically. This game was handled great.

Which is even more frustrating because it proves they CAN do the right thing. They just refuse to.