The Cowboys defense is playing really well right now.
Previously we broke down the offenses for this week’s upcoming game for the Dallas Cowboys. Now we dive back into the position battleground, this time looking at how the defensive positions and special teams stack up against each other.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Besides to Rico Dowdle breaking out, the next big thing on this Cowboys roster that has really impressed as the season has progressed is the Cowboys defensive line. Osa Odighizuwa has played so well recently he may have priced himself out of Dallas’ price range to return next season. His 51 total pressures ranks third-most among defensive tackles this year and his pass rush win rate of 15.1% ranks ninth.
Micah Parsons, even though missing four games this year, ranks fifth in total pressures among defenders and fourth in sacks. It’s an outstanding performance and it’s been overlooked thanks to talk about him being traded. Chauncey Golston has looked strong these past few weeks and also Marshawn Kneeland picking up the loose ball last week was good to see. The Cowboys in the last three weeks have generated the most sacks and allowed the fifth-fewest rushing yards against them, all showing the arrow is firmly pointed up for this defensive line.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive line has allowed the 11th-fewest rush yards against them this year but in the last three weeks they allowed only 67 rush yards per game, that’s insane efficiency. In terms of pass rush, Tampa ranks 11th in total sacks this year and have totaled 133 pressures, which is less than Dallas but still ranks the sixth-most. But this defensive line in the last three games has generated the sixth-fewest sacks showing it’s slowing down slightly. Defensive tackles Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey both lead the team with six sacks, that ranks 39th among defenders. Logan Hall is the team’s best edge defender with four sacks.
With more sacks and pressures this Cowboys defensive line wins against the pass. But they falter in terms of defending run (although it’s looking improved lately). These lines are split.
Win: Push
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LINEBACKER
Marist Liufau has become the newest linebacker to make headlines for Dallas. The team lost DeMarvion Overshown (but some good news on his surgery came out this week), but then Liufau stepped up and has really started to breakout. His caused fumble against Bryce Young was great to watch, and the improvement he’s shown at becoming more instinctive at the position has really exploded the last couple of weeks. Eric Kendricks shows he’s still a menace making tackles last week, and even catching a tipped ball for an interception. Kendricks now ranks third among linebackers in total tackles.
K.J. Britt may miss this week so keep watch on his practice report. He’s fourth on the team in tackles but that’s nothing compared to Lavonte David’s total. He leads the team with 104 tackles, but his production doesn’t end there. He also has five sacks, seven tackles for loss, one interception and leads the team with three forced fumbles. He’s a great linebacker. Yaya Diaby plays on the weakside and has two sacks and 41 tackles. From the SAM linebacker position the team has Joe Tryon-Shoyinka who has 23 tackles and two sacks.
Conclusion:
This is an another tight contest here. Both linebacker corps have stepped and played well, the edge could go ever so slightly to Dallas thanks to Kendricks efforts, but that’s balanced out by Lavonte David and his production numbers.
Win: Push
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DEFENSIVE BACKS
The Cowboys are lucky to have Jourdan Lewis as he’s been the steady ship on what was a rocky ocean for the Cowboys defense early in the season. The front office, for all its faults when it comes to contract negotiations, actually made a smart move with Lewis and managed to keep him on the cheap. Although Kendricks was credited with the interception, it was Lewis that made the athletic play on the ball for Kendricks to make the catch. He’s a great corner and his veteran presence has been solid this year for the defensive backs. Trevon Diggs’ news before the game stated he would be out for around eight months, that makes him ready to return as training camp looms on the horizon. Last week, DaRon Bland allowed zero catches and had a 39.6 passer rating allowed when targeted.
Tampa has a weakness and that’s its secondary. They have been hit at the position by a string of injuries and lost three cornerbacks to injured reserve. But this week both starting safeties, Antoine Winfield Jr. and Mike Edwards, are questionable to play. They have allowed the fifth-most passing touchdowns and the third-most passing yards this season. To add to that, no other team has allowed more receptions on defense than Tampa Bay, and it’s by some margin. As for interceptions, they have made the fourth-fewest. Jamal Dean is the cornerback to watch, he’s one defensive back that can get the job done so targeting away from him would be a good start.
Conclusion:
The Cowboys secondary has managed to keep going and step up with injuries recently. Many players on this Cowboys roster have been lost this season and the secondary is one position that got the injury bug badly. For the Bucs, the same can be said but their statistics speak for themselves. Cowboys have allowed less passing yards and touchdowns.
Win: Cowboys
Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
SPECIAL TEAMS
Brandon Aubrey once again made pressures kicks at distance look like easy play. He made all three extra points and hit three field goals last week, one from 52-yards. He’s an easy choice for the Pro Bowl this year.
Chase McLaughlin is continuing on from his good performance from last year. He’s missed only two field goals from 27 attempts this year. The two misses came from attempts of over 50 yards.
There’s not much to be said about KaVontae Turpin as a returner we haven’t already said. He’s second in average kickoff return yards and has two special teams touchdowns. He’s so much fun to watch.
Sean Tucker returns kickoffs for Tampa and ranks 24th in average kickoff return yards. Trey Palmer returns punts and averages 9.5 yards per return which ranks 21st. He’s does lead the league in dropped punts.
Win: Cowboys
