The Cowboys’ defense finally gave me something to work with Sunday night. Dallas may have lost the game, but I came away a little more encouraged by a defense that let Green Bay convert 9 of 10 third downs in the first half.
That was the defensive third down stat line in the first half, but the second half was like a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde type of turnaround.
After the half, the defense held Green Bay to 2 of 8 on third downs and only gave up six second-half points and no touchdowns.
I will be the first to say that improvement deserves some attention. Especially since the defense was actually creating opportunities for an offense that has suddenly disappeared.
The Dallas Defense is Finally Making Stops that Matter
Most of us watched as Green Bay punted on its first possession after halftime. Dallas followed with a touchdown that cut the lead to 17-7. Later on, Kenny Clark finally came alive and sacked Jordan Love on third down, forcing a punt near the Packers’ own goal line.
Clark’s sack was a play I loved to see because Dallas had Green Bays backs against the wall, and they finally finished a drive, instead of giving up a first down.
Then the offense stalled out with a turnover on downs at the Dallas 49. Allowing Jordan Love that type of field position against this defense would normally be an easy touchdown, but the defense held them to a field goal.
With the offense struggling, those chances the defense created in the second half didn’t matter. The Dallas defense may not ever be dominant this season, but when this so-called high-powered offense gets chances, they have to capitalize.
Christian Parker’s Halftime Message Was Finally Heard by the Defense
With a Cowboys’ defense that came out the second half making stops, I wondered if Christian Parker had changed the coverage or the attack plan on Love.
Malachi Lawrence said, “It wasn’t really any adjustments.”
Lawrence said Parker talked to the entire defense before the players met their position coaches. He said they reviewed what needed to be fixed and what was working. He put an emphasis on stopping the run, pressuring the quarterback and covering receivers.
I feel like his explanation shows Dallas just executed their existing game plan better than in the first half. I didn’t see any major scheme changes, but the staff had an opportunity to talk about the mistakes, and the defense responded.
That gives me some hope for Parker. A young coordinator needs his players to understand the corrections and fix the problems on the field. The second-half results show Dallas was able to do that against Green Bay.
The Inside Pass Rush Helps
It was a good day when Rashan Gary recorded nine pressures, which tied his career high. Then you add a sack each from Kenny Clark, Quinnen Williams, and Elijah Garcia.
He recorded nine pressures on 27 pass rushes (33.3%), tying his career-high in pressures in a single game, per NFL Pro.
Gary, who has gotten a lot of slack lately, deserves some attention even without getting a sack next to his name on the box score. An edge rusher who can force the quarterback to move, helps someone else get a sack. Dallas getting pressure inside makes that pressure more dangerous.
If a quarterback is able to get away from the outside rush with no pressure from the middle. It makes the quarterback’s job much easier. Dallas didn’t make the job easy Sunday.
The Cowboys also held Green Bay to 57 rushing yards at 2.2 yards per carry. That’s not saying much because the Packers have the NFL’s worst rushing attack, but a win is a win.
After allowing Tampa Bay to rush for 241 yards, I know this defense needed that kind of game to show them they can stop a team if they cover their assignments.
Joey Porter Jr. Is Making a Difference
The Joey Porter Jr. trade is paying off. In his second game, he was targeted four times and gave up no receptions. DaRon Bland even had a better game, really a night and day difference, as he only allowed two catches for 25 yards and had two breakups.
I’ve criticized Bland a lot, but it was warranted after the season he is having. I will give him props for a better game against Green Bay.
But Porter is the player who could change what Parker can do with this secondary. If he keeps handling getting the job done outside, Dallas can be more selective about where the help comes from.
I am not getting my hopes up that one half of football means this defense has turned the corner, but I did leave that loss wanting to see more of what the defense did in the second half against the Packers.
The offense needs to figure out the issues and if the defense can let their play carry over into the Eagles game. This team may have a playoff push in them after all.
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