In this episode of Between the Lines we flip the attention to the defensive line, where chaos meets strategy. This is where the Cowboys’ games are won and lost so let’s dive in.
Interior Defensive Line
Osa Odighizuwa
(2025 Stats: 255 Total snaps,
18 Total Tackles, 2 TFL, 19 Pressures, 1 Sack)
Grade: 63.5
Solomon Thomas
(2025 Stats: 184 Total snaps, 16 Total Tackles, 2 TFL, 7 Pressures, 0 Sacks)
Grade: 61.5
Kenny Clark
(2025 Stats: 272 Total snaps, 15 Total Tackles, 2 TFL, 18 Pressures, 2 Sacks)
Grade: 56.5
Mazi Smith
(2025 Stats: 51 Total snaps, 1 Total Tackles, 0 TFL, 2 Pressures, 0 Sack)
Grade: 51.5
Jay Toia
(2025 Stats: 56 Total snaps, 2 Total Tackle, 0 TFL, 0 Pressures, 0 Sack)
Grade: 28.6
Let’s start with the bruises from last week. The Carolina game saw Dallas’ interior got leaned on for four quarters, and the Panthers kept pressing the same button. They churned out 216 rushing yards, with Rico Dowdle running for 183 yards himself, then closed the game with a 15-play, 71-yard joyride that ate the clock and the Cowboys’ patience. The core issues were clear on film, double-teams opening the front, backside lanes staying available, and players arriving way late.
The talent to answer the call is on the roster. Kenny Clark delivers brute force in the A-gaps, while Osa Odighizuwa wins with an elite first step and burst. ESPN’s tracking has Dallas eighth in its run-stopping metric and 20th in team pass-rush performance. Individually, Odighizuwa sits among the top 20 defensive tackles in pass-rush wins. That means the ingredients are there. The fix from last weeks issues is all about rhythm on first down and turning 2nd-and-4s into 2nd-and-8s.
Up front, the Commanders aren’t a soft target. Their protection has given up the tenth fewest pressures this year, but the eight-most sacks. That tells us the line are able to hold up for most part but lose contain when Jayden Daniels gets on the move. As for run blocking, they rank sixth-worst by PFF standards with a 53.8 run blocking grade. We see another ex-Cowboy again this week in Tyler Biadasz, who has settled at center nicely in Washington, and he’s directing traffic and keeping the A-gaps orderly. If Sam Cosmi is activated, his power at guard can dent the B-gap on downhill concepts. And rookie Josh Conerly Jr. at right tackle gives them athletic range on the edge.
Jayden Daniels has opened this year with 875 passing yards, seven touchdowns, one interception and he’ll punish sloppy lanes with designed keepers or sudden scrambles. Jacory Croskey-Merritt has been the pace car for Washington and has racked up 344 rushing yards at an amazing 5.7 yards per carry, scoring four touchdowns. He’s powering a ground attack that’s flirting with top-ten potential thanks to his efficiency.
So what’s the mission for the Cowboys interior this week given all the facts? Well on paper the plan is simple, but the execution is another. This Cowboys defensive tackles need to own early downs and keep the interior communication tight. When the Commanders drop back to pass, keeping Daniels in the pocket and holding lane integrity will be key.
Defensive End
Marshawn Kneeland
(2025 Stats: 126 Total snaps, 11 Total Tackles, 3 TFL, 3 Pressures, 1 Sack)
Grade: 54.7
Sam Williams
(2025 Stats: 216 Total snaps, 15 Total Tackles, 2 TFL, 11 Pressure, 1 Sack)
Grade: 43.9
Dante Fowler Jr.
(2025 Stats: 164 Total snaps, 5 Total Tackles, 1 TFL, 15 Pressures, 1 Sack)
Grade: 74.8
Donovan Ezeiruaku
(2025 Stats: 198 Total snaps, 12 Total tackle, 2 TFL, 11 Pressures, 1 Sack)
Grade: 72.0
James Houston
(2025 Stats: 100 Total snaps, 16 Total tackles, 4 TFL, 8 Pressures, 4 Sscks)
Grade: 77.7
Jadeveon Clowney
(2025 Stats: 70 Total snaps, 6 Total tackles, 0 TFL, 5 Pressures, 0 Sacks)
Grade: 48.5
Dallas’ edge group need to find that form they played with against the New York Jets. Washington’s offensive plan will try to bog down this Cowboys edge group. Expect chips from tight ends and backs, quick-game throws to widen the rush, and plenty of movement in the pocket to hide the spot where Daniels will set up. The Commanders also love to threaten the perimeter with RPOs and screens that’s designed to make rushers hesitate half a second and turn a speed rush into confusion. Bottom line here is Washington will do everything they can to make this a five-yard contest, not a seven-step drop track meet.
So what’s the counter for this edge corps? Firstly they need to set the edge like they own it, not making it an easy escape channel like last week. If the Cowboys’ edges win the leverage game consistently then down-and-distance will become trickier for the Commanders, from there stunt game opens, and Washington has to live in long yardage where Fowler, Williams, Ezeiruaku, and Houston can tee off in waves. If not and the chips land, the bootlegs and screens will frustrate this edge group. This matchup is a real pressure point this week and the Cowboys outside guys hold the key to dictating the flow.
Injury Update
Marshawn Kneeland is limited with an ankle issue. Other than that the rest of this group look as healthy as they can at this stage of the season.
