Cowboys' defense is setting themselves apart from the rest
It's no secret that the Dallas Cowboys are led by their defense. This change started last season as the Cowboys led the NFL in turnovers and were excellent on third down. Fast forward to 2022 and it's been more of the same. The Cowboys are only allowing 14.4 points per game and teams are only […]
It's no secret that the Dallas Cowboys are led by their defense. This change started last season as the Cowboys led the NFL in turnovers and were excellent on third down.
Fast forward to 2022 and it's been more of the same. The Cowboys are only allowing 14.4 points per game and teams are only converting 33.3% of their red zone trips against the Cowboys' defense into touchdowns.
It gets even more impressive than that with what Dallas has done so far defensively this season. They are the first unit of its kind since 1982 to not give up 350 yards, racked up multiple sacks, and not allow more than one touchdown in each of the first five games.
If anyone thinks this is a fluke they are sadly mistaken. Granted, teams change every season, that's a given. However, the Cowboys' defense has shut down offenses led by Tom Brady, Joe Burrow, and Matthew Stafford, which speaks volumes for where this unit is.
The funny thing about how the Dallas defense and how good it's been is that it's still missing one element, stopping the run consistently. In three of their five games, the Cowboys have allowed over 140 yards on the ground.
Against the Los Angeles Rams last Sunday, things started to turn around. The Cowboys only allowed 38 yards rushing, their best outing of the season. With the Philadelphia Eagles and their fifth-ranked rushing offense on deck, the Cowboys will need to make stopping the run a primary focus.
Once the Cowboys find their stride in stopping the run, it will allow defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to release the hounds on opposing quarterbacks seeing as long downs and distances will the result of it quite a bit. Ultimately, that will make it easier for the Cowboys' secondary also because the more pressure on the quarterback, the less time they have to cover.
They are already dominant, but the Cowboys' defense will be even better in the weeks to come.
Feature image via Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
