Twitter: Scoring first was the key in Cowboys wins last year

[RustyBourneHorse]

The defense was built to play with a lead.

It's been that way for years.

Yeah, that's great until the FO realises that this is the NFL. It doesn't usually work that way.

 

[JeffInDC]

This, like other stats, doesn't tell the whole story.
While I agree with most of the commentary, there is a huge part of this equation that is left out. When the Cowboys faced tougher teams, the opponent scored first because our offense wasn't producing at all. This put pressure on the defense, and didn't allow them to play to their strengths.
When the offense is not producing, it changes the scheme of the game.
Likewise, when our defense was overpowering the opponent, the opposing defense became weaker.
These are men,and the intangibles take over when it is clear that one team has the advantage over the other. They stop believing they can win, and don't play up to their best effort.
Any coach who ignores the intangibles is missing over half of his game planning ability.

In the 6 losses (playoff included), the opposing team had the ball to open the game and scored on that opening possession 4 times - 1 FG and 3 TD drives that averaged 9.25 plays covering 69.75 yards and lasting around 5:30 - all before the offense ever touched the field. So, by your own logic, it would seem the OFFENSE couldn't play to their strength because the DEFENSE put them in a hole in 4 of those games. Just using actual facts here...and, I'm not even trying to defend Dak or the offense (they obviously had issues too).

 

[CCBoy]

For a comparative point, who were the teams that scored first?

 

[leeblair]

In the 6 losses (playoff included), the opposing team had the ball to open the game and scored on that opening possession 4 times - 1 FG and 3 TD drives that averaged 9.25 plays covering 69.75 yards and lasting around 5:30 - all before the offense ever touched the field. So, by your own logic, it would seem the OFFENSE couldn't play to their strength because the DEFENSE put them in a hole in 4 of those games. Just using actual facts here...and, I'm not even trying to defend Dak or the offense (they obviously had issues too).

In the first quarter there is no reason why the offense can't play their game. Only when down by multiple scores with time dwindling does it affect the offensive game plan.
The plain and recorded truth is that when the Cowboys were overpowering weaker opponent, creating turnovers and even putting up points on defense, our offense did put up numbers.
However, when the defense was just holding their own against tough teams, our offense became non-existent. And then interceptions often became a part of the opponents scoring.
I wish it weren't true, but we all watched it with our own eyes.

 

[JeffInDC]

In the first quarter there is no reason why the offense can't play their game. Only when down by multiple scores with time dwindling does it affect the offensive game plan.
The plain and recorded truth is that when the Cowboys were overpowering weaker opponent, creating turnovers and even putting up points on defense, our offense did put up numbers.
However, when the defense was just holding their own against tough teams, our offense became non-existent. And then interceptions often became a part of the opponents scoring.
I wish it weren't true, but we all watched it with our own eyes.

Defense was holding their own? Look, we all get that your incessant need to put all blame on Dak drives the bulk of your posts. But, at least try to put some facts in your argument - the defense is NOT holding their own when they give up 222, 266, 170 yards rushing or when they give up TD's on 6 of their first 7 drives. Even in the Seattle win, Dak and the O had to bail out a HORRIFIC SHOWING from the D. This defense, JUST LIKE THE OFFENSE, was deeply flawed. The offense couldn't run the ball effectively which put the game in Dak's hands and the D couldn't stop smart teams from running the ball down their throats. PERIOD!!! At some point, the D needs to be held just as responsible by those of you that always place blame solely on the offense.

 

[leeblair]

Defense was holding their own? Look, we all get that your incessant need to put all blame on Dak drives the bulk of your posts. But, at least try to put some facts in your argument - the defense is NOT holding their own when they give up 222, 266, 170 yards rushing or when they give up TD's on 6 of their first 7 drives. Even in the Seattle win, Dak and the O had to bail out a HORRIFIC SHOWING from the D. This defense, JUST LIKE THE OFFENSE, was deeply flawed. The offense couldn't run the ball effectively which put the game in Dak's hands and the D couldn't stop smart teams from running the ball down their throats. PERIOD!!! At some point, the D needs to be held just as responsible by those of you that always place blame solely on the offense.

AAt some point the Cowboys and the Dak fans need to stop blaming everyone but Dak and admit he has cost the team a championship game.
He shuts down and leaves the defense to fend for the whole team and they get the blame,when the truth is that you can go back and watch the games and see why we lost. Against Green Bay it was 27-0 before the Cowboys offense scored, but Dak gave the Packers 14 easy points. If not it would have only been 14-0. But he didn't produce until the Packers defense was coasting.
Dak doesn't produce until the game is already lost and he gets to play against loose defenses.
So of course the Cowboys defense is going to give up more yards and points because he isn't doing his part.

 

[JeffInDC]

AAt some point the Cowboys and the Dak fans need to stop blaming everyone but Dak and admit he has cost the team a championship game.
He shuts down and leaves the defense to fend for the whole team and they get the blame,when the truth is that you can go back and watch the games and see why we lost. Against Green Bay it was 27-0 before the Cowboys offense scored, but Dak gave the Packers 14 easy points. If not it would have only been 14-0. But he didn't produce until the Packers defense was coasting.
Dak doesn't produce until the game is already lost and he gets to play against loose defenses.
So of course the Cowboys defense is going to give up more yards and points because he isn't doing his part.

So, at what point in these big games does the D decide that they are a LEGIT D and actually stop somebody? Why can't Dallas' D do what others can and bail out the offense when they aren't playing well? So, it's all Dak's fault that the D gave up an opening drive of 12 plays and 75 yards that lasted more than half the 1st Quarter vs. GB? Is it Dak's fault they did the same thing against Buffalo? Or, against SF? Or, that Dak had to save the D vs. Seattle. Or, is it Dak's fault that he and the offense gave the team a lead late in the 4th against Miami only to have this VAUNTED D give up the game winning FG? I've said it before and I'll say it again - I have no issue replacing Dak. But, your constant babbling about him being the ONLY THING holding this team back isn't even funny anymore - it's NOT based in reality.

At some point, both the offense AND defense need to show they can help the other unit out when they are NOT having a good day. You do know the other teams get paid to do their jobs as well, right?

 

[leeblair]

So, at what point in these big games does the D decide that they are a LEGIT D and actually stop somebody? Why can't Dallas' D do what others can and bail out the offense when they aren't playing well? So, it's all Dak's fault that the D gave up an opening drive of 12 plays and 75 yards that lasted more than half the 1st Quarter vs. GB? Is it Dak's fault they did the same thing against Buffalo? Or, against SF? Or, that Dak had to save the D vs. Seattle. Or, is it Dak's fault that he and the offense gave the team a lead late in the 4th against Miami only to have this VAUNTED D give up the game winning FG? I've said it before and I'll say it again - I have no issue replacing Dak. But, your constant babbling about him being the ONLY THING holding this team back isn't even funny anymore - it's NOT based in reality.

At some point, both the offense AND defense need to show they can help the other unit out when they are NOT having a good day. You do know the other teams get paid to do their jobs as well, right?

The defense allowed only 13 points in the first half against Green Bay, a contender. Dak gave them 14.
They did pretty good.

 

[JeffInDC]

The defense allowed only 13 points in the first half against Green Bay, a contender. Dak gave them 14.
They did pretty good.

The week prior to the playoff game, the 7-10 Bears only gave up 17 points THE WHOLE GAME to Packers..in GB. So, giving up 13 points in a half isn't exactly pretty good. That puts you on a 26 ppg ALLOWED pace. AGAIN, did Dak play bad? OF COURSE!!!!! NO ONE DISPUTES THAT!!!!! But, this notion that the D played anywhere close to good is pure comedy gold. 6 TD's in 7 possessions is HORRIFICALLY BAD!!!!!

 

[leeblair]

The week prior to the playoff game, the 7-10 Bears only gave up 17 points THE WHOLE GAME to Packers..in GB. So, giving up 13 points in a half isn't exactly pretty good. That puts you on a 26 ppg ALLOWED pace. AGAIN, did Dak play bad? OF COURSE!!!!! NO ONE DISPUTES THAT!!!!! But, this notion that the D played anywhere close to good is pure comedy gold. 6 TD's in 7 possessions is HORRIFICALLY BAD!!!!!

Dak played HORRIFICLY BAD!
And he does it EVERY TIME the game gets too big!

 

[JeffInDC]

Dak played HORRIFICLY BAD!
And he does it EVERY TIME the game gets too big!

As does the D...2 things can be correct. The ONLY time I remember the D stepping up was the '22 playoff game in SF (they ABSOLUTELY got gashed by the run in the '21 game - SF wins that game comfortably if Jimmy G plays well). That's the point that was basically being made by everyone else in this thread. The Dallas Cowboys are FRONT RUNNERS on both offense and defense - there are too many instances where one does not help out the other when they had bad games...and, those instances usually occurred in the same game.

 

[75boyz]

Can't run
Can't stop the run
QB not a difference maker

It all lines up with basic football knowledge.

It really does.

 

[xwalker]

As NFL writer Warren Sharp chronicled in his Twitter post, scoring first in the NFL matters a lot. In the last decade, NFL teams that score first win 64% of the time. Last year, that was even more true for the Cowboys.

In the 2023 season, it was very obvious that the Cowboys almost had to score first to win. The Cowboys were an amazing 10-0 last year when they scored first. Including the playoff loss to GB last January, the Cowboys were 2-6 when the opponent scored first.

Here are some reasons why scoring first mattered so much for Dallas in 2023:

• When the Cowboys were ahead, especially if they led by 10 or more, it allowed our defense‘s strengths to step forward which was rushing the passer. When we got behind, stopping the run became critical and that has been our Achilles heel on defense for years.
• Daron Bland’s 5 pick six TDs last year all happened when the Cowboys were ahead. Four of them happened when we were ahead by two or more scores.
• In the Cowboys six losses last season, teams were able to run the ball almost at will. Buffalo took the opening kickoff and rammed it down our throat on the ground as did the cards, niners and the packers in those losses. When you’re behind, if you can’t stop the run, it’s curtains.
• This defensive problem puts pressure on the Cowboys offense to always score first. Sometimes an NFL offense is going to start slow. Look at the chiefs offense in the SB. They scored 3 in the first half but their defense kept them in the game until the offense could get going.

So based on the above info, in 2024 will this team be able to win if they fall behind early? Will we once again have to score first to have a realistic shot to win?

It doesnt say anything about offense?

I realize the d played better under that kind of scheme. But it seemed to me the offense rarely helped stop the bleeding.

And yes...i of course will read bobs op more carefully.

I don't think the "score first" stats tell us much about the defense.

The regular season median (not mean) score was 33 points.

They scored less than 33 in all losses.

They scored 32 in the playoff game.

In the playoff game, the offense put the defense in a hole due to the turnovers.

Yes, the defense sucked vs GB, but the offense also sucked.

 

[Bobhaze]

In the 6 losses (playoff included), the opposing team had the ball to open the game and scored on that opening possession 4 times - 1 FG and 3 TD drives that averaged 9.25 plays covering 69.75 yards and lasting around 5:30 - all before the offense ever touched the field. So, by your own logic, it would seem the OFFENSE couldn't play to their strength because the DEFENSE put them in a hole in 4 of those games. Just using actual facts here...and, I'm not even trying to defend Dak or the offense (they obviously had issues too).

I remember reading post game comments by players from Arizona, SF, Buffalo and GB saying they knew they could run on the Cowboys. In each of those games, the opponents offense scored first and in some cases multiple times before our offense could do anything.

Examples:

• In first loss of the season vs Arizona, the cards first two drives of the game were a FG and a TD sandwiched between a Cowboys 3 and out.
• In the blowout loss to SF, the niners took the opening kickoff and went 75 yards in 7 plays. Because of a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, the niners made it 14-0 before the Cowboys offense even got the ball.
• In the loss to Buffalo, the bills first two drives were 12 plays 75 yards, TD. Second drive after a Cowboys punt went 11 plays 86 yards and a TD. It was 14-0 after two bills drives. The Cowboys offense only mustered one FD.
• In the GB playoff loss, the pack of course took the opening kickoff and drove 12 plays, 75 yards for a TD. And Dak followed that with a terrible pass that was picked. It became 14-0 quickly.

My point here is that in the above 4 losses, this is clear that last year’s defense - if they got gashed in the opening drive, it was almost assured they could not recover. The offense of course was to blame too. Dak was terrible vs the pack, but he had no help from the defense either.

Bottom line - as they have for years, the Cowboys don’t seem to be able to play complementary football. If one side of the ball stunk it up, the other side too often couldn’t pick up the slack.

 

[CCBoy]

Dallas is on the right side of potential and offensive line rebuild. Smith and Martin are as good a pair of team guards.

This is relevant in that interior line pair:

Tyler Smith, Dallas Cowboys: Smith took steps forward in 2023, improving from an 81.4% pass block win rate as a rookie to a 91% pass block win rate in 2023. “He’s the next one. Incredibly gifted. Just needs more time on task,” an AFC executive said.

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...ne-royce-freeman-chauncey-golston-cornerbacks

Two strong offensive linemen were added this past draft, at offensive tackle and center. Growth has been strongly invested into and that helps both cap and positional strengths. There is talent as well, in positional depth, which is relevant and directed strengths.