There are two caveats to begin this post with before we answer the question at hand:
First, we’re just two preseason games into Mike Zimmer’s defense in Dallas. That’s not a terribly large sample to work with.
Second, this isn’t the same unit that Dan Quinn had the previous three years when he was the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator.
Still, there is a definite difference in how this defense looks and feels in 2024 than it did from 2021-2023.
Let’s also not forget that Quinn’s last game in Dallas was a complete defensive collapse. Even with Dak Prescott not helping by gifting the Packers 14 first-half points.
Which begs the question: Was it just a mirage? Was Quinn’s defense a paper tiger that Green Bay exposed back in January?
Quinn’s Pros And Cons
Prescott’s two critical turnovers helped put Dallas in a 27-0 hole with two minutes left in the first half.
The Cowboys’ defense didn’t help by allowing the other 13 points. Nor did they acquit themselves by yielding another 25 points in the second half.
They basically turned Jordan Love into Tom Brady.
The simple fact is: The Packers weren’t that good. The Cowboys’ defense was that bad.
Like Brady in the second half against Quinn’s Falcons’ defense in Super Bowl LI in 2017, Love carved up the defense.
It was a recurring theme with Quinn-coached teams. They couldn’t hold a lead – nor step up and play for 60 minutes in the bigger games.
Quinn’s defense – especially in Dallas – relied heavily on pressuring the quarterback and getting turnovers.
When it fails to do either, Quinn’s defense puts up as much resistance as a single molecule of air standing in the path of a speeding train.
Against Green Bay, they failed to sack Love. They failed to pick off a pass or even force a single fumble.
Micah Parsons turned into a ghost – and he wasn’t alone.
The run defense? What run defense?
Aaron Jones had 118 yards and three touchdowns.
He nearly out-rushed the entire Cowboys’ team all by himself.
The Packers’ game isn’t the only such example. The Cowboys struggled a few weeks earlier against the Bills as well.
In short, when Quinn’s defense was getting those pick sixes things were great.
When they didn’t? Not so much.
Zimmer’s Overhaul
Zimmer is clearly focused on rebuilding the Cowboys’ defensive front seven.
He doesn’t need to worry too much about the defensive backs, to be honest. If Trevon Diggs can return to pre-injury form, he and DaRon Bland are going to terrorize opposing quarterbacks.
Throwing away Quinn’s penchant for playing safeties as undersized linebackers is already paying off.
For example, in 2023, Markquese Bell played linebacker.
Zimmer moved him back to safety in 2024. Bell has been making some nice plays just two preseason games in already.
Zimmer also shored up the middle linebacker position by bringing in Eric Kendricks – who played for Zimmer in Minnesota and knows the scheme.
Paring him up with Parsons – along with DeMarvion Overshown and Marist Liufau – should shore up the run defense.
Where Zimmer is already making his biggest impact is on the defensive line. Mazi Smith looks so much better in year two that it almost seems like he’s a completely different player.
The Cowboys have been signing free agents recently to shore up that line – a must given Sam Williams’ season-ending injury a few weeks back.
The Early Returns
The Cowboys’ defense has allowed just 25 total points in eight quarters in the preseason.
While most would point out that they haven’t faced the opposition’s top players, I would counter that not all of the defensive starters have been out there either.
Zimmer’s defense is getting it done. They’ll need to continue to do so when the games start to count.
The biggest difference in approaches seems to be that Quinn relied on turnovers to get off the field and tended to give up big plays.
Zimmer has a bend-but-don’t-break approach. They still generate turnovers – four against the Rams two weeks ago – but they aren’t allowing the big plays.
That alone gives Zimmer’s defense the edge for now.
Like an oasis in the desert, we’ll have to get a little closer to see if Quinn’s defense was a mirage all along.