Run defense is a liability

[Stsinaz12]

*And* now Hankins is out.

Time for the offense to score and put pressure on the other team to score.

Time for the $40 Million Dollar Man to deliver.

We need to pickup a dt asap

 

[Rockport]

The last 4 weeks opponents haven't established the run. Yes, it does matter how many yards they get. It has to be a threat for it to really open things up.

And realistically, what was opened up in the opposing offenses the last 4 games? In 3 of them the opponent was held to less than their average yardage total, including Minnesota who only had 183 yards of total offense. Ultimately only the Houston offense did notably better than it's norm, but that was because of Cowboy mistakes (3 turnovers) and offensive shortfalls most of the game, not because the Texans running game controlled things.

They have established the run. Not sure what games you’re watching.

 

[OmerV]

They have established the run. Not sure what games you’re watching.

The same one everyone but you has. The mere fact a team hands the ball off to RB's does not mean it has established the run any more than the mere fact a team throw the ball means it has established the passing game. Nor does the fact that an occasional run by the opponent results in a good gain mean the run has been establishing. Establishing the run means demonstrating that it is a threat that the opponent has to worry about and adjust to.

The Cowboys have been giving up an average of 96 rushing yards per game and 36 rushing yards per carry the last 4 weeks. Any team would be happy as a clam with that. That would put them at 4th best in the NFL in yards per game allowed, and 2nd best in yards per carry

 

[BleedSilverandBlue]

The same one everyone but you has. The mere fact a team hands the ball off to RB's does not mean it has established the run any more than the mere fact a team throw the ball means it has established the passing game. Nor does the fact that an occasional run by the opponent results in a good gain mean the run has been establishing. Establishing the run means demonstrating that it is a threat that the opponent has to worry about and adjust to.

"Establishing the run" means causing the defense to change the way they are approaching the game from a schematic point of view to counter it. The OP thinks that handing the ball off for a 2 yard gain on first down every time is "establishing the run" when in reality that is losing football. You are not dragging a safety into the box and causing LBs to loose eye discipline on play action by running for 4 or less yards a carry.

Not to mention the fact that the defense cannot help if the opponent wants to hand it off 30 times even if it is only generating 4 or less yards per carry. In reality a team that continues to hand the ball off while gaining less than 4 yards a carry is generating NEGATIVE points per offensive play. Make your opponent do that enough times and you will win.

This thread is really spinning its wheels.

 

[Captain43Crash]

Why worry? What are the odds the Cowboys meet any teams that want to run the ball in the playoffs?

100%

 

[Rockport]

The same one everyone but you has. The mere fact a team hands the ball off to RB's does not mean it has established the run any more than the mere fact a team throw the ball means it has established the passing game. Nor does the fact that an occasional run by the opponent results in a good gain mean the run has been establishing. Establishing the run means demonstrating that it is a threat that the opponent has to worry about and adjust to.

The Cowboys have been giving up an average of 96 rushing yards per game and 36 rushing yards per carry the last 4 weeks. Any team would be happy as a clam with that. That would put them at 4th best in the NFL in yards per game allowed, and 2nd best in yards per carry

36 yards per carry. Pretty dominant run game.

 

[5Stars]

Cowboys are 23rd worst in run defense. This is my only worry going forward towards the playoffs. The offense is doing their job scoring plenty of points to win an NFL game. The problem has been on the defensive side of the ball. Cowboys are just allowing too many yards rushing the ball. They’ve got to focus on fixing this. The hell with trying to get #11 the DPOY. He’s got plenty of sacks already. Probably a Jerry thing trying to get #11 more sacks. Quinn needs to prove his worth and lay down the law. The hell with the sacks first mentality, those will come, how about stopping the dam run! When a team can run the ball against you, it changes to entire game. It opens up play action pass so a guy like Mills can complete passes. It takes time off the clock. This has been a Quinn weakness with his inability to control the run offense. It’s got to change.

Wow, I learn something everyday! Did you know that ice is cold?

 

[RonWashington]

Jonathan Taylor and Pierce didn’t do major damage . This week it’s Trevor Lawrence against the secondary might be of more concern .

 

[Chuck 54]

I don’t think it’s all on the type of DTs we run out there. I think a lot of it is the pass rushing culture Quinn has created and the schemes he employs.

 

[DallasDW00ds0n]

Defense can’t stop the run and is extremely gullible to RPO. Eagles will dismantle them

 

[CWR]

36 yards per carry. Pretty dominant run game.

Yeah we held them to 108 yards I think and a 3.6 ypc avg.

The Eagles held them to 99 yards at 3.9 ypc.

I maybe off a tenth of a yard or so but it was right around that mark.

I'd have to say we did as well as Philly if not better.

 

[OmerV]

36 yards per carry. Pretty dominant run game.

I'm sure you know it was supposed to be 3.6

 

[OmerV]

Defense can’t stop the run and is extremely gullible to RPO. Eagles will dismantle them

The Eagles didn't do that last time, and the Cowboy defense was having a much harder time against the run at that point in the season. They have actually had a stretch of 4 very good games against the run.

 

[shabazz]

This has been a trend since the Rams playoff game.

das da troof……..but our GM says we are just fine with the defensive tackle situation.

 

[OmerV]

das da troof……..but our GM says we are just fine with the defensive tackle situation.

Maybe it's not enough, but the Cowboys have drafted a DT 3rd round or higher in 3 of the last 4 drafts, and traded for Johnathan Hankins a couple of months ago, so let's not act as if the Cowboys have just been sitting pat with the same guys all along.

 

[shabazz]

Maybe it's not enough, but the Cowboys have drafted a DT 3rd round or higher in 3 of the last 4 drafts, and traded for Johnathan Hankins a couple of months ago, so let's not act as if the Cowboys have just been sitting pat with the same guys all along.

the Eagles were already stacked on their defense and still went and got Suh and Joseph.

Drafting can’t do it alone all the time. FA is used to fix the misses. Hankins is not a big enough impact player

 

[Risen Star]

Cowboys are 23rd worst in run defense. This is my only worry going forward towards the playoffs. The offense is doing their job scoring plenty of points to win an NFL game. The problem has been on the defensive side of the ball. Cowboys are just allowing too many yards rushing the ball. They’ve got to focus on fixing this. The hell with trying to get #11 the DPOY. He’s got plenty of sacks already. Probably a Jerry thing trying to get #11 more sacks. Quinn needs to prove his worth and lay down the law. The hell with the sacks first mentality, those will come, how about stopping the dam run! When a team can run the ball against you, it changes to entire game. It opens up play action pass so a guy like Mills can complete passes. It takes time off the clock. This has been a Quinn weakness with his inability to control the run offense. It’s got to change.

Thanks for the lesson, bro.

A little hateful but enlightening.

 

[OmerV]

the Eagles were already stacked on their defense and still went and got Suh and Joseph.

Drafting can’t do it alone all the time. FA is used to fix the misses. Hankins is not a big enough impact player

I didn't say they have outdone other teams on picking up DT talent - in fact I said, "maybe it wasn't enough ..." I just said it's not accurate to say the team has stood still with the same players.

 

[Xeven]

They need a spy on Hurts every single play.

 

[Blitzen]

I disagree. If they can’t stop the run it doesn’t matter what the offense does because they won’t be getting the ball much.

I can smell the narrative, but the offense turning the ball over (especially consistently) is the most troubling and damning evidence of a potential disaster. Winning the turnover battle yields almost an 80% winning percentage for the history of the league.

The Cowboys have allowed the third fewest points in the entire league and obviously have a top 5 defense. The past game was completely about giving extra possessions (and terrible field position) to the opposing offense multiple times. Turnovers hurt the defense and their ability to stop the run. Also takes number of possessions away from your offense—against good teams it is catastrophic.

The offense can absolutely destroy the chances of winning a game and the defense’s ability to stop points from being scored.

The reason the Cowboys put up over 50 points against Indy was mostly because of the Cowboys‘ defense taking the ball away.