Start Fast, Attack, Withstand

[Hostile]

More than any other season that I can remember, Dallas' opening drives this year have been about applying instant pressure to our opponents. This thread is spurred by this comment in "Trolling the Nation."

That was the Cowboys rehearsed drive. They won’t move the ball like that all game. First drive is usually the easiest of the night.

I am not 100% sure of what Mr. Lions fan was talking about. Dallas does not script their first 15 plays. Nevertheless, it got me to thinking about something. I have noticed that most teams that win the coin flip defer to the 2nd half, wanting to get the ball first then rather than first overall. Dallas has not followed this schematic. I do not know how many coin flips we have won or lost, but I do know that in 13 of our 15 games we have had the ball first.

I figure that there are 5 ways any drive can end. You can turn the ball over. I would include taking a Safety in that, and turning the ball over on downs. You can punt. You can miss a FG. You can make a FG. And you can score a TD.

Now, back to the Lions fan's assertion. Have our opening drives been easy? At times this OL and these rookies make it look pretty easy. Trust me, it is never easy. You know that. I don't have to tell you that, even though I have to post it or someone will remind me of it.

Whether we get the ball first or not, we have had success early and it has kept the pressure on. So as I said earlier, we have had the ball first 13 of 15 games. Here is a breakdown on how our first drives have gone. Our first 2 games we scored Field Goals. I mention this because the rookies didn't have their feet wet yet. We did not end our first drive with made FGs ever again after the first 2. We did have 2 games where we missed FGs on the first drive. 2 of Bailey's 5 misses on the year were on opening drives. We punted 4 times. Against the Steelers we turned the ball over on a strip sack.

If you did the math in your head while reading along you now know that means that 6 times, Including the Lions games, we have opened our first drive with a Touchdown. I find this to be a remarkable stat. I think the most likely conclusion to most drives are Punts. Let's take a look at this year for example.

Now, before I begin this I must make sure of one thing. This does not include game concluding drives where we do the Landry shift, nor drives ot end the half where we simply let the clock run out. I am talking only about drives where you are still trying to win, not drives where the win is set in stone.

With that caveat out of the way, Dallas has had 149 drives this season. There were 13 turnovers, and 4 failed 4th down conversion attempts that resulted in turnovers on downs. There were 25 Field Goals and 5 Missed Field Goals. There were 48 TDs. We punted 54 times.

Doing the math that means 36% of the time we punted. 32% of the time we scored TDs. 17% of the time we converted a FG. 3% of the time we missed a FG. 9% of the time we turned the ball over. 3% of the time we turned it over on downs.

Simply looking at that, the most likely conclusion to all drives is going to be a Punt. Yet on opening drives, we have punted only 4 times while we have scored TDs 6 times. Plus we added FGs twice. That means that an incredible 53% of the time this year we have started our first drive with points on the board applying instant pressure on the opponent. If you look at all drives, 49% of our drives we score. That Lions fan was way off diagnosing us.

I am not sure how many games ended with the Landry shift, but I think that is the only thing better than a score.

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

How you been, Hos? Hope you and yours are enjoying a great holiday season.

Interesting analysis. My only quibble is that it seems to support the Lions fan's diagnosis, given that our opening drive results in a higher percentage of TDs and more scoring in general than our remaining drives.

 

[Hostile]

How you been, Hos? Hope you and yours are enjoying a great holiday season.

Interesting analysis. My only quibble is that it seems to support the Lions fan's diagnosis, given that our opening drive results in a higher percentage of TDs and more scoring in general than our remaining drives.

Not really. He says none will come easier. We maintain that pressure throughout.

 

[LandryFan]

More than any other season that I can remember, Dallas' opening drives this year have been about applying instant pressure to our opponents. This thread is spurred by this comment in "Trolling the Nation."

That was the Cowboys rehearsed drive. They won’t move the ball like that all game. First drive is usually the easiest of the night.

I am not 100% sure of what Mr. Lions fan was talking about. Dallas does not script their first 15 plays. Nevertheless, it got me to thinking about something. I have noticed that most teams that win the coin flip defer to the 2nd half, wanting to get the ball first then rather than first overall. Dallas has not followed this schematic. I do not know how many coin flips we have won or lost, but I do know that in 13 of our 15 games we have had the ball first.

I figure that there are 5 ways any drive can end. You can turn the ball over. I would include taking a Safety in that, and turning the ball over on downs. You can punt. You can miss a FG. You can make a FG. And you can score a TD.

Now, back to the Lions fan's assertion. Have our opening drives been easy? At times this OL and these rookies make it look pretty easy. Trust me, it is never easy. You know that. I don't have to tell you that, even though I have to post it or someone will remind me of it.

Whether we get the ball first or not, we have had success early and it has kept the pressure on. So as I said earlier, we have had the ball first 13 of 15 games. Here is a breakdown on how our first drives have gone. Our first 2 games we scored Field Goals. I mention this because the rookies didn't have their feet wet yet. We did not end our first drive with made FGs ever again after the first 2. We did have 2 games where we missed FGs on the first drive. 2 of Bailey's 5 misses on the year were on opening drives. We punted 4 times. Against the Steelers we turned the ball over on a strip sack.

If you did the math in your head while reading along you now know that means that 6 times, Including the Lions games, we have opened our first drive with a Touchdown. I find this to be a remarkable stat. I think the most likely conclusion to most drives are Punts. Let's take a look at this year for example.

Now, before I begin this I must make sure of one thing. This does not include game concluding drives where we do the Landry shift, nor drives ot end the half where we simply let the clock run out. I am talking only about drives where you are still trying to win, not drives where the win is set in stone.

With that caveat out of the way, Dallas has had 149 drives this season. There were 13 turnovers, and 4 failed 4th down conversion attempts that resulted in turnovers on downs. There were 25 Field Goals and 5 Missed Field Goals. There were 48 TDs. We punted 54 times.

Doing the math that means 36% of the time we punted. 32% of the time we scored TDs. 17% of the time we converted a FG. 3% of the time we missed a FG. 9% of the time we turned the ball over. 3% of the time we turned it over on downs.

Simply looking at that, the most likely conclusion to all drives is going to be a Punt. Yet on opening drives, we have punted only 4 times while we have scored TDs 6 times. Plus we added FGs twice. That means that an incredible 53% of the time this year we have started our first drive with points on the board applying instant pressure on the opponent. If you look at all drives, 49% of our drives we score. That Lions fan was way off diagnosing us.

I am not sure how many games ended with the Landry shift, but I think that is the only thing better than a score.

Excellent research. Thank you!

 

[Teague31]

As always Hos, good stuff and much appreciated

 

[CowboyStar88]

More than any other season that I can remember, Dallas' opening drives this year have been about applying instant pressure to our opponents. This thread is spurred by this comment in "Trolling the Nation."

That was the Cowboys rehearsed drive. They won’t move the ball like that all game. First drive is usually the easiest of the night.

I am not 100% sure of what Mr. Lions fan was talking about. Dallas does not script their first 15 plays. Nevertheless, it got me to thinking about something. I have noticed that most teams that win the coin flip defer to the 2nd half, wanting to get the ball first then rather than first overall. Dallas has not followed this schematic. I do not know how many coin flips we have won or lost, but I do know that in 13 of our 15 games we have had the ball first.

I figure that there are 5 ways any drive can end. You can turn the ball over. I would include taking a Safety in that, and turning the ball over on downs. You can punt. You can miss a FG. You can make a FG. And you can score a TD.

Now, back to the Lions fan's assertion. Have our opening drives been easy? At times this OL and these rookies make it look pretty easy. Trust me, it is never easy. You know that. I don't have to tell you that, even though I have to post it or someone will remind me of it.

Whether we get the ball first or not, we have had success early and it has kept the pressure on. So as I said earlier, we have had the ball first 13 of 15 games. Here is a breakdown on how our first drives have gone. Our first 2 games we scored Field Goals. I mention this because the rookies didn't have their feet wet yet. We did not end our first drive with made FGs ever again after the first 2. We did have 2 games where we missed FGs on the first drive. 2 of Bailey's 5 misses on the year were on opening drives. We punted 4 times. Against the Steelers we turned the ball over on a strip sack.

If you did the math in your head while reading along you now know that means that 6 times, Including the Lions games, we have opened our first drive with a Touchdown. I find this to be a remarkable stat. I think the most likely conclusion to most drives are Punts. Let's take a look at this year for example.

Now, before I begin this I must make sure of one thing. This does not include game concluding drives where we do the Landry shift, nor drives ot end the half where we simply let the clock run out. I am talking only about drives where you are still trying to win, not drives where the win is set in stone.

With that caveat out of the way, Dallas has had 149 drives this season. There were 13 turnovers, and 4 failed 4th down conversion attempts that resulted in turnovers on downs. There were 25 Field Goals and 5 Missed Field Goals. There were 48 TDs. We punted 54 times.

Doing the math that means 36% of the time we punted. 32% of the time we scored TDs. 17% of the time we converted a FG. 3% of the time we missed a FG. 9% of the time we turned the ball over. 3% of the time we turned it over on downs.

Simply looking at that, the most likely conclusion to all drives is going to be a Punt. Yet on opening drives, we have punted only 4 times while we have scored TDs 6 times. Plus we added FGs twice. That means that an incredible 53% of the time this year we have started our first drive with points on the board applying instant pressure on the opponent. If you look at all drives, 49% of our drives we score. That Lions fan was way off diagnosing us.

I am not sure how many games ended with the Landry shift, but I think that is the only thing better than a score.

Hos good seeing you sir! I miss your posts and I enjoyed this little tidbit

 

[Meat-O-Rama]

Thanks for putting that together. I got the feeling early in the season that we were scoring with regularity on the opening drives. Good to see that play out in the numbers.

 

[Stash]

More than any other season that I can remember, Dallas' opening drives this year have been about applying instant pressure to our opponents. This thread is spurred by this comment in "Trolling the Nation."

That was the Cowboys rehearsed drive. They won’t move the ball like that all game. First drive is usually the easiest of the night.

I am not 100% sure of what Mr. Lions fan was talking about. Dallas does not script their first 15 plays. Nevertheless, it got me to thinking about something. I have noticed that most teams that win the coin flip defer to the 2nd half, wanting to get the ball first then rather than first overall. Dallas has not followed this schematic. I do not know how many coin flips we have won or lost, but I do know that in 13 of our 15 games we have had the ball first.

I figure that there are 5 ways any drive can end. You can turn the ball over. I would include taking a Safety in that, and turning the ball over on downs. You can punt. You can miss a FG. You can make a FG. And you can score a TD.

Now, back to the Lions fan's assertion. Have our opening drives been easy? At times this OL and these rookies make it look pretty easy. Trust me, it is never easy. You know that. I don't have to tell you that, even though I have to post it or someone will remind me of it.

Whether we get the ball first or not, we have had success early and it has kept the pressure on. So as I said earlier, we have had the ball first 13 of 15 games. Here is a breakdown on how our first drives have gone. Our first 2 games we scored Field Goals. I mention this because the rookies didn't have their feet wet yet. We did not end our first drive with made FGs ever again after the first 2. We did have 2 games where we missed FGs on the first drive. 2 of Bailey's 5 misses on the year were on opening drives. We punted 4 times. Against the Steelers we turned the ball over on a strip sack.

If you did the math in your head while reading along you now know that means that 6 times, Including the Lions games, we have opened our first drive with a Touchdown. I find this to be a remarkable stat. I think the most likely conclusion to most drives are Punts. Let's take a look at this year for example.

Now, before I begin this I must make sure of one thing. This does not include game concluding drives where we do the Landry shift, nor drives ot end the half where we simply let the clock run out. I am talking only about drives where you are still trying to win, not drives where the win is set in stone.

With that caveat out of the way, Dallas has had 149 drives this season. There were 13 turnovers, and 4 failed 4th down conversion attempts that resulted in turnovers on downs. There were 25 Field Goals and 5 Missed Field Goals. There were 48 TDs. We punted 54 times.

Doing the math that means 36% of the time we punted. 32% of the time we scored TDs. 17% of the time we converted a FG. 3% of the time we missed a FG. 9% of the time we turned the ball over. 3% of the time we turned it over on downs.

Simply looking at that, the most likely conclusion to all drives is going to be a Punt. Yet on opening drives, we have punted only 4 times while we have scored TDs 6 times. Plus we added FGs twice. That means that an incredible 53% of the time this year we have started our first drive with points on the board applying instant pressure on the opponent. If you look at all drives, 49% of our drives we score. That Lions fan was way off diagnosing us.

I am not sure how many games ended with the Landry shift, but I think that is the only thing better than a score.

Great work as always, much appreciated!

 

[Shatz88]

Really interesting post to read. Hope you stay on here and post more often, Hos.

 

[guag]

I feel like I haven't seen you around here in years, @Hostile. You should really try to come around more often!

 

[Zordon]

Maybe with the bye week, they'll be able to script the first two drives.

 

[ctrous25]

Well said good sir, I'm normally a guy who is a nervous nelly regarding Cowboys games but I've learned this year to think from a neutral fans perspective.

I've came to this conclusion, It will take ONE HELL of an effort to beat this team at AT&T stadium in the playoffs.

That or we give the other team the game, because if we play well we will not lose at AT&T

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

Not really. He says none will come easier. We maintain that pressure throughout.

By your numbers, 40% of our opening drives (6 of 15) result in TDs. It follows that 31% of our remaining drives (42 of 134, after backing out the opening drives) result in TDs.

Similarly, as you point out, 53% of our opening drives (8 of 15) result in points, whereas 49% of our remaining drives (65 of 134, after backing out opening drives) result in points.

If we look at points per drive, using your numbers, our opening drives result in 3.2 points per drive (including extra points), whereas our remaining drives result in 2.7 points per drive.

We don't really have sufficient information to determine whether our first drive is "the easiest", but it's fair to say that there's a drop-off in production after the opening drive.

Of course, it hasn't mattered much. 13-2 is 13-2, no matter how you spread out the scoring. And all of us (you, me and the Lions fan) agree that this team seems to be very adept at starting fast and putting the opposition under pressure to catch up.

 

[DandyDon52]

Maybe with the bye week, they'll be able to script the first two drives.

heck script up 10 drives !! lol score 70 points !

 

[DandyDon52]

The main thing is to go on long drives and score.
This is how they have won most games, it reduces # of times each team has the ball,
and if we score on most of ours, we come out on top.
Td's are better than fg's, but fg's add up.

this detroit game all td's !! so very good in scoring once down there.

 

[Hostile]

I feel like I haven't seen you around here in years, @Hostile. You should really try to come around more often!

Been a while. I still read here almost every day. I was asked by a couple of posters to share some of my thoughts. I've been sharing with them via PMs from time to time. Decided today was an okay day to do it. Good to see some of you folks. Hope you are all enjoying a great season. I sure have been. That isn't why I posted. I hope everyone has a great new year to go along with our 42-21 Merry Christmas.

Peace.

 

[DandyDon52]

Well said good sir, I'm normally a guy who is a nervous nelly regarding Cowboys games but I've learned this year to think from a neutral fans perspective.

I've came to this conclusion, It will take ONE HELL of an effort to beat this team at AT&T stadium in the playoffs.

That or we give the other team the game, because if we play well we will not lose at AT&T

Having home field, during playoffs, is a big advantage.
1.No Traveling, Flying
2.Stay at your house, not a hotel be with friends and family
3.Crowd noise should favor your team
4.more comfy at your stadium than someone else's, also know the field.
5. more relaxed overall
6.Being dallas has a indoor stadium, dont have to deal with harsh weather, just some blinding sun in areas lol.
7.In front of your fans ,not other teams fans

In 2014 Dallas had to go to GB, and play in cold, Fly up there hotel etc.
It is very important to be top or at least 2nd seed, been saying that since they were 7-1.
They did it, so proud of them, and it is still hard to believe the cowboys are the # 1 seed !

 

[Irving Cowboy]

I am not sure how many games ended with the Landry shift, but I think that is the only thing better than a score.

It was never called a "shift". It was known as the "hitch".

 

[Bleu Star]

More than any other season that I can remember, Dallas' opening drives this year have been about applying instant pressure to our opponents. This thread is spurred by this comment in "Trolling the Nation."

That was the Cowboys rehearsed drive. They won’t move the ball like that all game. First drive is usually the easiest of the night.

I am not 100% sure of what Mr. Lions fan was talking about. Dallas does not script their first 15 plays. Nevertheless, it got me to thinking about something. I have noticed that most teams that win the coin flip defer to the 2nd half, wanting to get the ball first then rather than first overall. Dallas has not followed this schematic. I do not know how many coin flips we have won or lost, but I do know that in 13 of our 15 games we have had the ball first.

I figure that there are 5 ways any drive can end. You can turn the ball over. I would include taking a Safety in that, and turning the ball over on downs. You can punt. You can miss a FG. You can make a FG. And you can score a TD.

Now, back to the Lions fan's assertion. Have our opening drives been easy? At times this OL and these rookies make it look pretty easy. Trust me, it is never easy. You know that. I don't have to tell you that, even though I have to post it or someone will remind me of it.

Whether we get the ball first or not, we have had success early and it has kept the pressure on. So as I said earlier, we have had the ball first 13 of 15 games. Here is a breakdown on how our first drives have gone. Our first 2 games we scored Field Goals. I mention this because the rookies didn't have their feet wet yet. We did not end our first drive with made FGs ever again after the first 2. We did have 2 games where we missed FGs on the first drive. 2 of Bailey's 5 misses on the year were on opening drives. We punted 4 times. Against the Steelers we turned the ball over on a strip sack.

If you did the math in your head while reading along you now know that means that 6 times, Including the Lions games, we have opened our first drive with a Touchdown. I find this to be a remarkable stat. I think the most likely conclusion to most drives are Punts. Let's take a look at this year for example.

Now, before I begin this I must make sure of one thing. This does not include game concluding drives where we do the Landry shift, nor drives ot end the half where we simply let the clock run out. I am talking only about drives where you are still trying to win, not drives where the win is set in stone.

With that caveat out of the way, Dallas has had 149 drives this season. There were 13 turnovers, and 4 failed 4th down conversion attempts that resulted in turnovers on downs. There were 25 Field Goals and 5 Missed Field Goals. There were 48 TDs. We punted 54 times.

Doing the math that means 36% of the time we punted. 32% of the time we scored TDs. 17% of the time we converted a FG. 3% of the time we missed a FG. 9% of the time we turned the ball over. 3% of the time we turned it over on downs.

Simply looking at that, the most likely conclusion to all drives is going to be a Punt. Yet on opening drives, we have punted only 4 times while we have scored TDs 6 times. Plus we added FGs twice. That means that an incredible 53% of the time this year we have started our first drive with points on the board applying instant pressure on the opponent. If you look at all drives, 49% of our drives we score. That Lions fan was way off diagnosing us.

I am not sure how many games ended with the Landry shift, but I think that is the only thing better than a score.

I'm expecting a Landry shift at the end of our first playoff game & If I see it I will be thinking of Hostile with a sparkle in my eye. Awesome read.

 

[Longboysfan]

With the stats in mind.

I wonder what the league average on this was.