I wanted so badly to come out of the Texans game feeling better about this defense. After allowing 30 points and needing Dak Prescott to go win it late in the game, I can say I’m having a hard time getting there.
There is a silver lining, the run defense was finally better. Yes, I know it was against the 28th-ranked Houston run game, but a win is a win, OK.
But how excited can I get when Dallas finally stops the run and still gives up 397 yards? That’s where I’m stuck in the mud at right now after the 34-30 win over Houston.
Cowboys Defense Finally Stops the Run
Through the first three games, we watched as the rush defense kept getting worse. The Giants ran for 165 yards, Washington followed with 182, and Baltimore went wild with 192.
Houston finished the game with 62 yards on 19 carries. Before this game, the Cowboys allowed 179.7 yards per game and 5.0 yards per attempt. They kept the Texans to a 3.3 yard average. I like that difference, and I’ll give Dallas credit where it’s due.
I’ve complained plenty about how this team got run over. I don’t think it would be too fair if I ignored a good performance even though most everything else about this defense still hasn’t met our expectations.
Houston didn’t come into this game with a good rushing attack. This was their third consecutive game without getting over 75 rushing yards. Dallas handled an offense that was struggling on the ground, but I will take it.
The run defense was encouraging, but I’m going to need more proof than Sunday’s game.
Joey Porter Jr. Handled His Business
I’m leaving Joey Porter Jr. out of the criticism of this pass defense.
He allowed no receptions on one target in 19 coverage snaps. He played 24 of Dallas’ 52 defensive snaps and matched up with Nico Collins five times without being targeted.
• 24 snaps
• 1 target
• 0 receptions allowed
• 0 yards allowed
The Cowboys brought him in to help this secondary, and his first appearance gave me a reason to believe. Houston’s passing numbers looked ugly, but none of those completions came against Porter.
He played fewer than half the defensive snaps, so we have to take this with a grain of salt. I want to see more of him, but there wasn’t much else about this pass defense that left me feeling that way.
Stroud Still Had a Big Afternoon
C.J. Stroud threw for 347 yards and two touchdowns with a 126.7 passer rating. Collins caught seven passes for 118 yards and both scores. Houston also hit completions of 45 and 52 yards on its first two scoring possessions.
Those are the plays that make watching this defense so aggravating. Dallas can put together a few good snaps, then give up half the field.
Houston’s 397 yards were the most Dallas has allowed through four games. We watched as the best performance against the run still ended with its highest yardage total allowed. I can’t look at that and say the defense took a step forward.
Third-and-14 Still Bothers Me
Houston converted three of 10 third downs, and Dallas recorded two sacks, finally, after getting none against Washington or Baltimore.
But the Texans late 87-yard touchdown drive had a third-and-14 conversion on a hook-and-ladder. Dallas had a 27-23 lead before that possession. It was unexpected and caught the Cowboys off-guard, but come on guys make a tackle.
Joey Porter Jr. didn’t allow a catch, and Dallas finally kept a running game in check. Those two things give me more hope than I had coming into Sunday. I just can’t for the life of me ignore what happened when the Cowboys had a lead and a chance to force a field-goal decision.
Get that thrid-and-14 stop, and we’re having a different conversation. Instead, Dak had to go get another touchdown. I’m happy he did, but I would like to finish one of these games talking about how the defense helped him keep a lead.
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