Dallas Cowboys Defensive Output is Brining in Huge Returns So Far
The Dallas Cowboys defense is a pleasant surprise so far. Only two games into the 2021 season, the team's defense has been firing on all cylinders. What the defense needed to improve on were pass rush, creating turnovers, stopping the run and secondary play. Two games into the season is early, but also shows the […]
The Dallas Cowboys defense is a pleasant surprise so far. Only two games into the 2021 season, the team's defense has been firing on all cylinders.
What the defense needed to improve on were pass rush, creating turnovers, stopping the run and secondary play. Two games into the season is early, but also shows the team took to heart the necessity to improve. Especially in these areas.
The team's pass rush has seen massive improvement so far. Despite losing DeMarcus Lawrence for 6-8 weeks, and Randy Gregory for a game, they display an impressive rotation of pass rushers.
Micah Parsons has been both the best rookie for the Dallas Cowboys, as well as their best overall defender so far. He's the second highest rated overall linebacker, and the highest rated pass rusher to, according to PFF.
Throwing in a rotation with great output from the outside has been even better to see. Tarell Basham and Dorance Armstrong all gave noticeable output on the edges against the Chargers in particular.
Defensive tackles Osa Odighizuwa and Quinton Bohanna are the two top run defenders on the interior defensive line. In fact Odighizuwa has the highest pass rush grade of any defensive tackle on the team!
The pass rush and run stoppage up front is a welcomed sign from 2020. The QB pressures create collapsed pockets erratic throws. Eventually these pressure will lead to sacks, but fans will have to take what's given.
Despite not many sacks so far, what has seen an influx is turnovers. Particularly in the secondary.
Trevon Diggs leads the team in both interceptions (2) to this point, as well as pass breakups (3). Diggs is the obvious name when mentioning the secondary. However, players like Damontae Kazee and Jourdan Lewis are leaving their mark as well. Each has a pair of pass breakups and an interception.
As a team, the Dallas Cowboys lead the NFL in turnovers forced (6) and turnover differential (+4). This is important to remember because the last time Dallas finished with a positive (+) turnover differential was 2018. That season saw them win the NFC East and reach the second round of the playoffs.
The defense as a whole has given up over 400 yards per game up to this point. Broken down further shows they're allowing only the 8th most rushing yards per game, forcing teams to throw. In addition, the offense is on the field 3 minutes per game longer than last season, giving their defense more breaks.
The season is still young but at the rate the Dallas Cowboys are going, the arrow is pointing up from here.
Players like Kelvin Jospeh, Neville Gallimore and DeMarcus Lawrence will return later this year. Players like Jabril Cox and Chauncey Golston haven't even been used yet, and their strengths in coverage and run defense, respectively, should create even better output.
The Dallas Cowboys next four games are against teams and quarterbacks that should be favorable matchups before their week 7 bye:
Philadelphia Eagles (Jalen Hurd)
Carolina Panthers (Sam Darnold)
New York Giants (Daniel Jones)
New England Patriots (Mac Jones)
The way the defense has responded to the QB likes of Tom Brady and Justin Herbert, These defensive numbers and output will increase. It's only two weeks in but the Dallas Cowboys defense is night and day compared to 2020.
