I don’t want us to get ahead of ourselves with this defense after two games. If you have watched the first two games, you and every other Cowboys’ fan know there is still plenty to worry about.
After the way the Giants moved the ball in the opener, Christian Parker’s guys need a little credit for making Washington work harder to finish drives.
We watched the Cowboys go from a 28-20 loss at the hands of New York to a 37-20 win over the Commanders. The total yards didn’t drastically change, dropping from 394 to 389. This doesn’t look like a lot of improvement until you get to third downs and the red zone.
Third Down Stops Got Much Better for this Defense
In Week 1 against New York, the Giants converted 9-of-11 third downs. Fast-forward to Week 2 and the Commanders went 8-of-14, so we watched the percentage go from 81.8% to 57.1% in a week.
I would still like to see this number get lower because you can’t keep asking the offense to sit and wait while another possession drags out, but look on the bright side, Dallas gave itself more chances to take the ball back this week.
The difference in the red zone is what I like to see. In Week 1, New York had four touchdowns on four trips, and Washington in Week 2 went one for three.
I’m not sure how they did it this week, but the defense stopped Washington when they made it to Dallas’ one-yard line. Allowing the Cowboys to keep the lead at 17-10 going into the half.
I feel like after all the slack this defense took last week, that stop alone deserves a little recognition, even if everything else needs to be fixed. Baby steps is what we are going to see with this defense growing and learning.
The Defense Rushed the Quarterback Better this Week
I am here for this stat: Dallas generated nine pressures with four rushers against Washington after getting just two against New York. There were 12 total pressures Sunday, but zero sacks.
More pressure without pulling extra defenders out of coverage is encouraging for Parker, and eventually, those pressures will turn to sacks.
There were several times during the game that the pressure got to Jayden Daniels, but players like Donovan Ezuiruaku couldn’t bring him to the ground. Once that first sack happens, I think we will see an uptick in that category. Just got to get the feet wet first.
The Run Defense Is Still Terrible
In Week 1, we watched as New York did whatever they wanted on the ground and ended up with 165 yards and 4.5 yards per carry. Washington was worse with 182 yards rushing given up and a 5.7 yard average.
The yards per carry is moving in the wrong direction. This needs to be fixed right away if this defense wants to get their offense off the sideline.
Allowing the quarterback to escape the pocket and pick up big yards seems to be an ongoing theme for the defense. Jayden Daniels ended the game with 68 rushing yards before his elbow injury.
It’s Week 1 all over again, and the Cowboys are about to see the best running quarterback in the NFL in Lamar Jackson. So, they better figure something out this week.
Jaishawn Barham’s Takeaway Came at the Right Time
Dallas has finished with one takeaway in each game to start the year, so being able to strip the ball this year will be a thing. Getting interceptions will be another story.
We watched as Jaishawn Barham forced the fumble and Dee Winters was able to recover the ball. This turnover turned into a touchdown for the offense. Barham has a lot of pressure on him being the green dot and that pressure may be what’s holding him back.
Bringing in a veteran linebacker, Bobby Wagner perhaps, who is accustomed to the green dot, may be the best option at this point, so the young man can just play football.
I think there was enough to feel better about this week than last, but Dallas needs to make more frequent defensive stops. If the stops are made, this offense can score on anyone. Just getting them the ball seems to be the team’s downfall.
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