CowboysFaninHouston
CowboysFaninDC
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Detroit's game plan was to stop our 1st down runs. They usually had a safety drop into the box and then had someone come on a run blitz. The back seven did a good job in support. Detroit was aggressive and it worked well. We had numerous runs that gained little to no yards on 1st down. We were forced into 2nd and 3rd and longs which allowed them to bring the blitzes. We had a difficult time picking them up which lead to 3 sacks in the first half. If you take out the Williams TD we were shutdown in the first half.
Offensively, Detroit took advantage of a mismatch (Church on Tate) and scored quickly. They also had the 99 yard drive which happened because of the costly penalty. On both drives we missed a lot of tackles. Very sloppy. Once we cleaned up the tackling and started getting pressure, we held them to 6 points the rest of the game.
After the half, we started calling more 3 WR shotgun formations on first down. Detroit still brought a blitz but they couldn't go all out because they had to honor the pass. This helped us get the offense going. It looked like we realized that they would bring a DB on a run blitz because I noticed Romo pointing it out in the 2nd half and would run away from that side. I thought Romo did a good job not forcing things for the most part. His accuracy wasn't at top form but he made plays when it mattered. He may hold onto the ball longer than he should but I'll take sacks over interceptions.
Suh caused problems all game. Martin had his hands full. He was able to hold his own on a few plays but Suh was able to beat him on a few and caused havoc. Mosley made plays in the run game. Their interior is very good with Levy backing them up.
On Detroit's final drive Marinelli was mixing and matching the line. We really miss Melton in those late game situations. He had Crawford, Hayden, Brent, McClain, and Mincey all line up inside and even had Wilber at RDE for a play. Luckily Detroit's offensive line was far from full strength so we were able to get pressure.
A few more thoughts:
After watching the coaches tape there were plays Detroit had a receiver open but we were able to get pressure just in time which forced Stafford to throw the check down. Green Bay has a much better offensive line so those throws will be available. On the other hand, they don't have the defense Detroit has so we should be able to get the run game going a little bit sooner. Time of possession will be crucial for us. So many interesting match ups against GB. Can't wait.
- Parnell is a mauler
- Not so much when he's on the move. Worst part is he gets in Witten's way
- Lawrence had been using that move with varying success all game but it was nice he finally pulled it off to avenge his earlier mistake and end the game
- Stafford thinks he has Johnson for an easy TD but Carter makes a play and almost gets the INT
- Best bounce of all time
I think sometimes we now trying to stick too much to our identity. we are trying to force our will on the defense by running on first downs and we are predictable. almost any defense can stop you if they know what's coming. the key is to mix it up. to your point, when we went to the 3 WR sets and threw the ball a few times on first down then it loosened up their run defense because they couldn't just load the box. the key is to hit the defense in the open area where they blitz from and make a few big plays, and that often more than anything else slows down the rush.
I hope we employ a similar strategy vs. GB. I know the team is going to come out and try to force the run and see how GB responds, but I like us to go at least 50/50 on first downs pass/run and keep their defense honest. Then we should see the run defense succeed.
I think our run defense has been pretty decent since the philly game on thanks giving.
I think regardless dallas needs to run the ball (although not right out of the gate). if they can keep the game close, then we can dominate the TOP in the 4th quarter and win the game. I look at nelson/cobb as better duo than Johnson/tate mainly because of their OL and aaron Rodgers and home field advantage. pass rush is key for us in this game, not necessarily sacks, but pressure and hits. despite all the criticism on Carr, I think he was decent in this past game. hopefully we can contain nelson with coverage over the top and probably have scandrick on cobb.
