Red Dragon
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For a long time, conventional wisdom seemed to have held that forcing turnovers is more important for a defense than limiting opposing yardage, especially after last season when the Cowboys had a hard time coming up with any turnovers at all.
But this year, turnovers haven't been a problem. The Cowboys defense, in fact, may end up getting twice as many takeaways as it did last season.
And yet...........the Cowboys gave up 31, 31, 51, 31, and 49 points to the Giants, Chargers, Broncos, Lions and Saints.
The Cowboys are a mediocre 5-5.
Why? Because, as much as we think that yardage is just stat-padding, it can very well decide the outcome of a game. Against Detroit, the Cowboys forced 4 turnovers but still lost - why? Because the defense gave up over 600 yards.
Against the Saints? Defense allowed over 600 yards.
Against the Chargers? Defense allowed over 500 yards.
Against the Broncos? Defense allowed over 500 yards.
Against the Giants? The Cowboys forced 6 turnovers - but even still, after they had had their 5th takeaway, the Cowboys were still on the brink of defeat. If it weren't for a lucky bounce of the ball off of a Giants' players' hands into the hands of Brandon Carr, the Cowboys may very well have lost that game 31-30. Why? Because Eli Manning had huge yardage against the Cowboys, as often is the case.
So conventional wisdom has been turned on its head: Yardage is actually more important than turnovers.
But this year, turnovers haven't been a problem. The Cowboys defense, in fact, may end up getting twice as many takeaways as it did last season.
And yet...........the Cowboys gave up 31, 31, 51, 31, and 49 points to the Giants, Chargers, Broncos, Lions and Saints.
The Cowboys are a mediocre 5-5.
Why? Because, as much as we think that yardage is just stat-padding, it can very well decide the outcome of a game. Against Detroit, the Cowboys forced 4 turnovers but still lost - why? Because the defense gave up over 600 yards.
Against the Saints? Defense allowed over 600 yards.
Against the Chargers? Defense allowed over 500 yards.
Against the Broncos? Defense allowed over 500 yards.
Against the Giants? The Cowboys forced 6 turnovers - but even still, after they had had their 5th takeaway, the Cowboys were still on the brink of defeat. If it weren't for a lucky bounce of the ball off of a Giants' players' hands into the hands of Brandon Carr, the Cowboys may very well have lost that game 31-30. Why? Because Eli Manning had huge yardage against the Cowboys, as often is the case.
So conventional wisdom has been turned on its head: Yardage is actually more important than turnovers.
