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: 292 Total snaps,
19 Total Tackles, 2 TFL, 20 Pressures, 1 Sack)
Grade: 58.3
Solomon Thomas
(2025 Stats: 218 Total snaps, 17 Total Tackles, 2 TFL, 8 Pressures, 0 Sacks, 1 PD)
Grade: 64.1
Kenny Clark
(2025 Stats: 315 Total snaps, 15 Total Tackles, 2 TFL, 23 Pressures, 2 Sacks)
Grade: 59.8
Mazi Smith
(2025 Stats: 72 Total snaps, 2 Total Tackles, 0 TFL, 2 Pressures, 0 Sack)
Grade: 51.2
Jay Toia
(2025 Stats: 56 Total snaps, 2 Total Tackle, 0 TFL, 0 Pressures, 0 Sack)
Grade: 28.6
Denver blocks really well and have allowed only 47 total pressures this year, that’s the second-best this year. Sean Payton’s main four guys of Garett Bolles, Mike McGlinchey, Quinn Meinerz, and Luke Wattenberg has been one of the league’s stabilizing forces. ESPN’s tracking has the Broncos first in Pass Block Win Rate (73%) and league-average 18th in the run game (71%). Even zooming out, their front was profiled as the main strength on the roster after finishing top-six in both win-rate metrics last year.
That protection feeds Bo Nix, who’s not been the best when it comes to quarterbacking but has stayed efficient with 1,556 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, four interceptions, and a passer rating of 87.3 QBR through the first seven weeks. He’ll also punish soft interiors with some sneaky keepers and scrambles and regularly layers play-action and quick RPOs to keep linebackers flat-footed. All this lets Nix throw on rhythm, and starts with the offensive line.
The ground game has pace also. J.K. Dobbins is thriving in orange with 105 carries, 523 yards, and four touchdowns. He’s a downhill, patient runner who hits creases without bouncing sideways. Since 2024, Denver has also gotten real rushing value from the quarterback spot, which forces interior rushers to collapse with lane discipline, not just fury. Expect change-ups from Jaleel McLaughlin in space and a dash of fullback to stress run fits.
Ok, so with all that, what should Dallas’ interior do about it? Make first down ugly to begin with. One thing the Cowboys have shown this year is they can squeeze zone tracks when Clark anchors square and Odighizuwa spills across to fit running plays. The Cowboys interior can sugar both A-gaps like they did more of last week, and trust the interior duo to anchor down the middle.
Against play-action, collapse the depth of the pocket rather than chasing the fake, Nix is less comfortable when the pocket shrinks and the throwing lane narrows. Finally, treat Dobbins like a true threat to this game with his quick cuts by shutting the cutback lanes.
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: 244 Total snaps, 15 Total Tackles, 2 TFL, 15 Pressure, 1 Sack, 1 FR, 1 PD)
Grade: 40.8
Dante Fowler Jr.
(2025 Stats: 187 Total snaps, 6 Total Tackles, 2 TFL, 18 Pressures, 1 Sack, 2 PD)
Grade: 75.0
Donovan Ezeiruaku
(2025 Stats: 235 Total snaps, 16 Total tackle, 5 TFL, 14 Pressures, 1 Sack, 1 FF)
Grade: 70.8
James Houston
(2025 Stats: 122 Total snaps, 18 Total tackles, 4 TFL, 10 Pressures, 4 Socks, 1 FF, 1 FR)
Grade: 70.8
Jadeveon Clowney
(2025 Stats: 96 Total snaps, 11 Total tackles, 1 TFL, 9 Pressures, 1 Sacks, 1 FR, 2 PD)
Grade: 63.4
Dallas’ edge unit needs to set the tone for the defense this week. Dante Fowler Jr. is the key tone-setter and he’s slowly getting back to form. His sprinter’s start, heavy hands, and the confidence to convert speed into a jolt that rocks a tackle’s base is kind of skill set that’s going to be needed to defeat Denver’s protections. Donovan Ezeiruaku got his first NFL sack as he continues to show aggressive pass rushing technique. Ezeiruaku plays like the battery never dies with his wide alignments, relentless chase, and an instant retrace when the bootleg shows up.
Depth also matters here. Jadeveon Clowney had what you could call his breakout game for Dallas last week and seemed to be involved in every broken play when he was on the field. His experience and knowledge on how to handle this Denver offensive line will be vital for the rest of the guys, especially if the edge group hit a rut and need pulling out. James Houston will also be important as the closer on obvious pass downs
Run defense is where this edge group can quietly win the day. Dobbins is a decisive runner, he’ll press outside zone, plant, and knife through the first crease. That puts a premium on keeping the outside shoulder free and squeezing the C-gap so cutbacks die. If the Dallas edges force Dobbins to bubble laterally, the interior can rally.
Expect Denver to answer with chips, slides, play-action (a lot of play-action), and screens meant to slow Dallas’ get-off.
Injury Update
Marshawn Kneeland is questionable with an ankle issue.
