Dallas Cowboys: Is the Defense Rusty or is it Something Bigger?

The Dallas Cowboys are 3-0 and hopes are high around CowboysNation, but the defense is a small concern moving forward.

Before we get into the meat and potatoes of this article, let’s be very clear, the Dallas Cowboys are 3-0 and look like they are the class of the NFC so far. There is a long way left to go in this season and while they haven’t played the best teams so far, they have won all of the games placed before them. This week will go a long way to how the Cowboys are viewed as they take on the Saints.

Now on to the topic here. The defense has been solid, but not where the Cowboys thought they would be, or even where they were last year. One thing the Cowboys have been lacking for several years is the ability to create turnovers. Interceptions have been paltry at best.

Looking at 2018, the Cowboys were one of four teams with more fumble recoveries than interceptions. They had nine interceptions and eleven fumbles. They were joined by the Seahawks, Cardinals, and Packers. To put these numbers in perspective, the Rams and Patriots who were in the Super Bowl and were not considered defensive juggernauts each had eighteen interceptions and the Rams had twelve fumble recoveries to the Pats ten. The Bears had twenty-seven interceptions and nine fumbles.

This means the Cowboys are pretty average when it comes to fumble recoveries, but pretty bad at intercepting the ball. So far this season, the Cowboys have zero interceptions and three fumble recoveries. So far only Dallas, Jacksonville, Arizona, Denver, and Oakland have zero interceptions. Not the best company to keep there.

Looking at sacks, the Cowboys also have some bad company as the Jets and Raiders are tied with the Cowboys. Below this trio is the Chargers, Dolphins, Eagles, Redskins, and Broncos. The Cowboys are doing just enough to let their offense take center stage. Once they get up, teams are forced into throwing, so it helps the defense by the end of the game.

Where the Cowboys are dominant is in scoring defense. Currently ranked fourth for points allowed, the Cowboys are certainly bending but not breaking. Some of this could be the teams they have played, some could be they get better closer to the red zone.