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Dallas Cowboys: Quinn and Lawrence Need Each Other

By Daniel Ruppert

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 29: Robert Quinn #58 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts with Jaylon Smith #54 of the Dallas Cowboys after a sack during the second half of a NFL game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on September 29, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 29: Robert Quinn #58 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts with Jaylon Smith #54 of the Dallas Cowboys after a sack during the second half of a NFL game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on September 29, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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Robert Quinn now has two games under his belt for the Dallas Cowboys, and Demarcus Lawrence is helping him more than many realize.

In the last two games Robert Quinn has looked to be everything the Dallas Cowboys have needed on the other side of Demarcus Lawrence. While many are pointing to the lack of production of Lawrence, the opposite is reality, Lawrence is a huge reason Quinn is looking so good. Teams are scheming for Lawrence, but that may have to change.

According to ESPN Sports Analytics Writer Seth Walder, Demarcus Lawrence has faced more double teams this season than any other defensive end (Find it here). Going into this week, Lawrence was at 35% of his snaps were double teams. That is a huge reason why Lawrence hasn’t had the impact some have wanted after his contract. The fact teams are so acutely aware of Lawrence shows his value.

How this is effecting Quinn is fairly simple. If the offensive line is focusing on Lawrence, it allows Quinn to have more one on one matchups. So far, Quinn has three sacks in two games. It appears the focus on Lawrence has helped Quinn his first two games back. The question is, if it can continue.

Once teams decide to put more effort into blocking Quinn, it should open up more freedom of movement for Lawrence. If teams want to continue to focus on Lawrence, then Quinn can keep punishing teams. As the defensive line gets healthier, the hope is there will continue to be more pressure on the quarterback. Something fairly lacking so far this season as a whole.

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The Dallas Cowboys are not a blitzing team usually. Last season the Cowboys ranked in the top three for four man rushes. They ranked near the bottom of the league with five or more rushers and near the bottom on defensive back rushes. What the Cowboys do more than most however, is stunt their front four. Last season they used a stunt on 44% of their rushes.

So while the Cowboys will need to figure out how to get a little more consistent pressure, a healthy Quinn and a healthy Lawrence should create enough havoc once teams start adjusting to one or the other. As the defensive tackles get healthier they should get more opportunities for pressure as well.

Next. Dallas Cowboys: How first down runs doomed the offense. dark

Give Lawrence some credit, teams are planning for him. Quinn is reaping the benefits of the double teams until teams start to focus on him. Once that happens we may be having the same conversation about how Quinn is helping Lawrence. For now, we enjoy Quinn being worth the sixth round pick it took to get him.

  • Published on 10/03/2019 at 11:09 AM
  • Last updated at 10/03/2019 at 06:11 AM
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