This defense

[percyhoward]

Ive been happy with the defense especially the last few weeks. Appreciate the look, but this makes me curious how this defense stacks up vs 2014 which seems like a more fair comparison against another recent Dallas "playoff caliber team".

2014's defense was about the same caliber as 2015's, but with an easier schedule of turnover-prone opponents and the benefit of an offense that allowed it to play with the lead.

 

[CATCH17]

This is the anti 2007 team. They may be heading into their peak going into the playoffs as opposed to going into December.

I'm one of the few people that don't buy into the whole peaking at the right time thing. It's definitely not a bad thing but you take a team like the 2014 Cowboys who did everything the right way and they still went on the road and lost.

What matters is creating the opportunity and performing when you have that opportunity.

Losing in week 16 or 17 just isn't that big of a deal and the Lions game will have no meaning on our divisional playoff game.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

Been saying it.....I shall say it again, this defense is becoming elite. Y'all can laugh again but slowly yall jumping on the bandwagon. I have been here almost by myself, it's good to see some familiar faces haha

 

[bayeslife]

Maybe I'm just very cautious, but I remember that 2007 team forgot how to score after November. Many factors were in play there but they never returned to form after whipping the Packers.

Everyone is getting healthy. Our nobody defensive line is generating pressure. Prescott and the Cowboys have shown that they are practically unbeatable at home. It just as a different feeling altogether

 

[SlammedZero]

Most of all you gotta give Marinelli credit for getting them to play with discipline and high effort.

Seriously the guy is a damn good coordinator. I remember seeing people on here calling for his head earlier in the season and I could only wonder what reality they lived in?

 

[CATCH17]

Seriously the guy is a damn good coordinator. I remember seeing people on here calling for his head earlier in the season and I could only wonder what reality they lived in?

The problem early on was everything was bland, basic, and predictable.

It's still 90% that but you can't tell me there isn't a little more smoke and mirrors with our defense instead of Lee or Scandrick walking up to the line, showing blitz, and then easily getting picked up while blitzing.


Regardless.. We have played a moneyball type of scheme defensively. Allow field goals and not TD's.

Now we're just a good defense. We have just looked like a really good defense since Thanksgiving.

 

[SlammedZero]

The problem early on was everything was bland, basic, and predictable.

It's still 90% that but you can't tell me there isn't a little more smoke and mirrors with our defense instead of Lee or Scandrick walking up to the line, showing blitz, and then easily getting picked up while blitzing.


Regardless.. We have played a moneyball type of scheme defensively. Allow field goals and not TD's.

Now we're just a good defense. We have just looked like a really good defense since Thanksgiving.

Yeah, I do see your point. I guess I just always had faith in the guy. Maybe it just took a little smoke to get that fire started. Now is the perfect time to unleash the blaze anyways!

 

[ufcrules1]

2014's defense was about the same caliber as 2015's, but with an easier schedule of turnover-prone opponents and the benefit of an offense that allowed it to play with the lead.

Well, one thing that doesn't show up in the stats is the mentality of players who are on a winning/successful team. Everyone likes to win and when your team is winning, sometimes players start really stepping up and playing good ball. Dak and Zeke have really rejuvenated this team and I think other players have stepped up their game as well.

 

[percyhoward]

Well, one thing that doesn't show up in the stats is the mentality of players who are on a winning/successful team. Everyone likes to win and when your team is winning, sometimes players start really stepping up and playing good ball. Dak and Zeke have really rejuvenated this team and I think other players have stepped up their game as well.

Absolutely. I think it's led to better tackling, and is one of the reasons for all the forced fumbles.

Well, that and David Irving.

 

[ufcrules1]

Absolutely. I think it's led to better tackling, and is one of the reasons for all the forced fumbles.

Well, that and David Irving.

lol.. yup. On a team that is winning a lot, you start seeing players that you never heard of making great plays. This happened in 2014 as well because that defense sucked but players did step up from time to time that year like Rolondo Mcclain and Justin Durant. They were part of a winning team and raise their level of play no doubt. In the end they ended up being the weakest link but during the year they did good enough.

 

[ufcrules1]

I think our defense is better this year than 2014 though and some of these guys on the d line have some potential. I mean we don't know what all they are capable of or how much they can turn it up come playoff time. All I have to say is I'm glad my team is the Cowboys because I think we are the best team in the NFC right now and we have home field advantage. No team will easily knock us out.. it will be a huge fight from here on out from our offense and defense.

 

[Bullflop]

The pass rushing of our youngsters like Irving, Mayowa and Maliek Collins have been life savers in transitioning this defense to one that applies pressure with a respectable degree of authority lately. Marinelli has also been coordinating things well with help from our DB Coach Robinson in limiting opposing offenses from exacting an excessive amount of success upon this defense. The game with the Lions and their QB Matt Stafford was exemplary in that respect. Hopefully, further positive development will be continued as the playoffs approach.

 

[TheHerd]

Been saying it.....I shall say it again, this defense is becoming elite. Y'all can laugh again but slowly yall jumping on the bandwagon. I have been here almost by myself, it's good to see some familiar faces haha

I hope you're right. The three playoff games will be against arguable the three best QBs in the league, so the D will be in the spotlight. If Dak is hoisting the trophy on Feb 5, it is quite likely that the D will have played elite level playoff football.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

I hope you're right. The three playoff games will be against arguable the three best QBs in the league, so the D will be in the spotlight. If Dak is hoisting the trophy on Feb 5, it is quite likely that the D will have played elite level playoff football.

We have no idea which QBs we play. We could be playing against.....Stafford, Eli, Alex Smith or Mcgloin

 

[TheHerd]

We have no idea which QBs we play. We could be playing against.....Stafford, Eli, Alex Smith or Mcgloin

Possibly, but highly unlikely. The overwhelming most likely path is Rodgers after Eli throws them a few picks, Ryan after Seattle shows why they need to play at home, and then NE because... Brady.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

Possibly, but highly unlikely. The overwhelming most likely path is Rodgers after Eli throws them a few picks, Ryan after Seattle shows why they need to play at home, and then NE because... Brady.

Well GB isn't even in the playoffs right now. And again anybody that's in the playoffs has a chance. Smith can make the superbowl just as well as Brady can and who is too say Seattle even wins to play Atlanta. Until the games are played we don't know

 

[reddyuta]

A balanced offense will be too much for our D, if we meet them it will be another Pittsburgh scoreline.

 

[ActualCowboysFan]

Dallas is leading the league in sacks in the month of December.

 

[JBS]

Well GB isn't even in the playoffs right now. And again anybody that's in the playoffs has a chance. Smith can make the superbowl just as well as Brady can and who is too say Seattle even wins to play Atlanta. Until the games are played we don't know

I know we won't be facing Mcgloin

You can take that to the bank

 

[percyhoward]

Dallas is leading the league in sacks in the month of December.

That's another very impressive stat. Teams have been throwing it more against us, so we're 5th in sack rate at 8.2% for the month.

Note that our 14 sacks in four games is only 1 more than Rodgers and Ryan have taken in their last four combined games.

91 of 125 1162 yd 8 td 0 int 13 sacks 122.8