Matt Eberflus needs to face harsh truth about his defense before the Cowboys can even hope of solving costly problem
The Dallas Cowboys have a defensive problem they need to solve urgently.
In the NFL, two regular season games don’t paint the whole picture of what a team is. But sometimes, you can see enough trees to know the artist is painting a forest. Well, right now, we’ve seen enough of the portrait to know the Dallas Cowboys defense is bad.
The Cowboys rank 30th in EPA/play allowed overall and and it’s not just because of one issue. Flaws are present on many areas of the defense and the blame is shared by coaches and players.
But there’s one problem that stands out, which defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus has to solve as early as possible. And it starts with facing the harsh truth: These Cowboys defensive ends can’t pressure the quarterback.
Cowboys DC Matt Eberflus must find ways to manufacture quarterback pressure
Through two games, the Cowboys rank 26th in pressure rate when rushing four players, per Sports Info Solutions (maybe they should ask the Green Bay Packers what their secret is, as they rank second in the NFL). When blitzing, though not preferred by Eberflus, they rank 16th.
Even in Week 2, with the Giants playing their backup and third string left tackle, the Cowboys failed to pressure Russell Wilson. And when they did, it often came from inside. However, Wilson had a clean pocket in 80% of his 35 dropbacks. It’s true, Dallas players must be better, which is why the front office signed Jadeveon Clowney during Sunday’s game. But at some point, Eberflus needs to be willing to turn up the heat and make up for the talent the team lacks at edge rusher.
The good news for the Cowboys is Eberflus has shown willingness to blitz. Versus the Eagles, he even sent multiple cornerback blitzes, from the slot with DaRon Bland and even with a boundary cornerback in Trevon Diggs. Against New York, Kenny Clark got a sack as a result of a blitz that forced the Giants to run a one-on-one protection.
Brian Schottenheimer has done the contrary on offense. Knowing the Cowboys have pass protection problems at offensive tackle, the offense ran several concepts using “max protect.” In other words, to facilitate deep shots for Dak Prescott, the Cowboys used tight ends and running backs in pass pro to give the quarterback as much as eight man pass blocking. Eberflus needs to apply the same logic on defense. It’s time to manufacture the pass rush you’re not getting with four men.
That isn’t to say that would solve all the issues. The Cowboys have to be better in coverage and minimize mistakes. But you’ve got DaRon Bland set to return from injury and blown assignments should improve with more time learning the scheme. A pass rush that doesn’t get the job done, however, is unlikely to get solved without a change in philosophy.
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Offense looks dangerous.
