Defense Must Be Resilient, Not Bend-And-Break
The Dallas Cowboys have been officially eliminated from playoff contention, marking another disappointing season for the team. With no chance of division titles or wild card bids, the focus now turns to how to rebuild and improve the team’s defense for the future.
Defensive Struggles: A Bend-and-Break Unit
The Cowboys’ defense has been struggling significantly this season. While the traditional “bend-but-don’t-break” defenses minimize big plays, the Cowboys are grappling with a “bend-and-break” scenario. This type of defense allows for long drives, which ultimately leads to points scored against them and keeps their high-powered offense off the field.
- The Cowboys have surrendered long drives of 87, 81, and 95 yards this season.
- They are currently ranked 22nd in the NFL in sacks, a significant drop from previous years.
The Impact of Key Player Departures
This year has seen a drastic decline in the defense’s performance, especially following the trade of their star pass rusher. Losing Micah Parsons has had a profound impact, as the team has struggled to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
- The Cowboys ranked in the top 10 in sacks for the previous four years with Parsons.
- They neither maintained a solid pass rush nor filled the void left by his departure.
Injuries and Roster Challenges
This season has also been marred by injuries to crucial players in the secondary. Notable injuries to Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, and Malik Hooker left the team scrambling to fill positions with less experienced players, stunting their defensive cohesiveness.
Looking Toward the Future
As the Cowboys shift their focus toward next season, there are some foundational players to build around. Promising talents like Quinnen Williams, Osa Odighizuwa, and Kenny Clark could hold vital roles in future defensive strategies. However, improvement is needed across the board, particularly in finding reliable pass rushers.
- Potential trades might occur, but keeping key players seems like a priority.
- There’s a dire need for a robust plan to stabilize the defensive unit.
Coaching and Strategic Changes Needed
Considering the lack of success this season, it may be time for significant changes in coaching, particularly on the defensive side. Identifying new pass-rushers who can pressure quarterbacks without relying heavily on blitzes could be the key to re-establishing a functional defensive unit.
In summary, the Cowboys’ defense this season has reflected a bend-and-break mentality. To improve, the team must prioritize finding effective players and possibly re-evaluating its coaching strategies. Without these changes, Dallas will continue to struggle in future seasons.
