In what was billed to be a blow out, shaped up to be an instant classic between these historic franchises. The highly touted, Dallas defense squandered a 14-point lead as the Packers fourth quarter rally saw them end a five game skid and give them their first win since October. This was aided by Dallas continued lack of discipline, making mistakes that led to crucial game altering penalties. The Cowboys fell to the Packers in overtime: 28-31. The question is who’s to blame?
Dallas Defense
While the Dallas defense has been sensational this year, it appears there are huge kinks in their armor.
Run Defense: Their inability to stop the run, efficiently, was on display again as they surrendered 207 yards on the ground. The Dallas defense sought to have some improvement in the acquisition of Johnathan Hankins but this has shown little to no improvement to start. There are few shining spots such as: DeMarcus Lawrence, Jayron Kearse and Leighton Vander Esch, it’s simply not been good enough.
AARON 🔁 JONES 🔁@Showtyme_33 💪#DALvsGB | #GoPackGo
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/pPT5d1lQjX
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) November 14, 2022
Lack of Turnovers: aside from the single Aaron Rodgers fumble, the Dallas defense was unable to generate any turnovers as it’s slowly becoming known for. They are known for catching their “swagger” once they begin forcing the opposing team into mistakes.
Fumble do Aaron Rodgers recuperado pelos Cowboys! 😳🔥#NFLnaESPN #DallasCowboys #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/iIEpRsYrhq
— Endzone Brasil (@Endzone_Brasil) November 13, 2022
Big Plays: This year, when I think of big plays, I think of Diggs looking to track down a ball and just missing and giving up a big play. Those scenarios I can live with, but today, it was simply being outmatched and out of position. Not only did the Dallas defense roll out the red carpet for Christian Watson’s coming out party (4/107/3) where he embarrassed Anthony Brown (shocker) on a 58 yard touchdown:
hello Christian Watson 🥵
— Jesse Moeller (@JMoeller05) November 13, 2022
DaRon Bland, also, surrendered a huge play to Allen Lazard in overtime that all, but locked up the win for the Packers:
Big catch for @AllenLazard in OT!#DALvsGB | #GoPackGo
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/KaG3OQSWJu
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) November 14, 2022
Improvements needed for the Dallas Defense
Linebackers: With Anthony Barr being ruled, it seemed his side of the field was being targeted the most. It’ll be crucial for him to get healthy and make a return to the field. Until then, at the moment, the Dallas defense lacks the proper depth for the linebacker position a healthy rotation of: Damone Clark and Jabril Cox may be what’s necessary to plug this hole on defense.
Corners: Outside of Trevon Diggs, there’s not a reliable second option especially with Jourdan Lewis on season-ending IR. DaRon Bland has shown flashes, but as noted, also gave up a big play late. Kelvin Joseph was the Cowboys second round pick in 2021 (behind Micah Parsons) it would be amazing to see if can live up to his draft value.
Final Thoughts
I’ll admit I am really harsh on the Dallas defense this game and they’ll likely not have a game like this very often, but we must hold our ‘Boys accountable. While the first notion would be to blame Dak and the offense, that is hard to do when they score 28 points and hold a 14 point lead going into the fourth quarter.
The gripes I’m sure would be “they had two picks”, sure this is correct but they did manage to get those points back and more as they scored 21 unanswered points. When you have this type of production along with CeeDee catching 11 balls for 150 yards and two touchdowns and Tony Pollard going for over 115 yards on the ground and a score, it’s imperative the defense makes stops.
Looking forward, the Cowboys have crucial matchup against the Vikings (8-1), whom knocked off the Bills this week. Let’s hope that Dan Quinn and the Dallas defense can make the proper adjustments moving forward.
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Until next time, Go Cowboys!
