Every week, we gather to discuss the latest news about the Dallas Cowboys and seek our writer’s perspective on each headline. Welcome back to the roundtable. This week we have David Howman, Tom Ryle, and Sean
Martin.
What was the true root cause of the collapse against the Broncos? Scheme, execution or poor coaching?
Mike: If you slice it all up into a blame pie execution takes the biggest bite. There were too many missed tackles, rush-lane leaks, protection up front fell apart, and drive-killing penalties turned manageable downs into Broncos getting the upper hand. Coaching scheme comes second. Most sequences helped put things in Denver’s favor with conservative second-and-long calls and it was almost that Brian Schottenheimer was play-calling scared.
Tom: Yes. Plus a roster that continues to have some serious holes and the always dysfunctional behavior at the top of the organization. Or, to put a bit of a different slant on it, the franchise is broken, has been for a long time, and the solutions are nowhere in sight because they would have to start with a person who seems congenitally unable to see his own failings and take the necessary steps to start fixing things.
Howman: Execution was a big part of it, and I think the elevation of Denver is a major reason why. Not the only reason, but a reason for sure. Dak Prescott had his first truly bad game of the year, which doesn’t help one bit, but the defense is also extremely short on playmakers, especially at linebacker.
Sean: I’ll go with scheme because the defense once again sat in zone for a lot of the game and didn’t give themselves a chance. So many other things went wrong around the defense that it’s easy to lose sight of just how bad they were again. In a league where big plays win games though, the ease at which opponents can just make splash play after splash play against the Cowboys is sickening.
The Cowboys run defense was extremely poor. Were the leaks mostly gap-fit integrity or just poor finishing?
Mike: It was mostly gap-fit integrity, but there was some poor finishing. Edges didn’t set the edge, double-teams moved the interior, backside fits lagged, and first contact came too far downfield with poor leverage. This defensive line needs to fix the run fits first, and the tackling should hopefully improve from there.
Tom: I think it is a mix of Eberflus still not coming up with a scheme to fit his personnel and those personnel being weak. The latter should be addressed with the additional draft capital they have, but the former looks like it will have to be handled with a change at DC.
Howman: The Cowboys don’t have the personnel to stop the run, outside of Kenny Clark, but this was more a problem in scheme. Eberflus’ attack style of play on the defensive line naturally makes his defense susceptible to cutbacks and trap run plays, both of which they saw plenty of in Denver. Eberflus typically relies on rangy linebackers with good eyes to clean that up – DeMarvion Overshown certainly fits that bill – but Kenneth Murray and rookie Shemar James simply aren’t capable of doing that right now.
Sean: The big explosive runs were a lot because of leaks in gap-fit integrity. The Cowboys had a hard time setting the edge, and asking down the roster defensive backs to come up and help do so was a total disaster. The tackling from the linebacker position was poor again as well, but their bigger issues were allowing the explosive plays through the air. Giving up big plays in one phase of the game is bad enough, giving up big runs and passes is a death wish especially on the road trying to beat a team you haven’t in decades.
Offensively, how should Dallas attack Arizona’s defense? Lean on the quick game or establish the run and then use play-action to slow the pass rush?
Mike: Start with quick tempo, motion, and short throws to neutralize the heavy stunt game by the Arizona defensive front. Use bunch/stack formations to beat press man and screens to punish pressure. Change the platform location with some boot;egs from Dak, avoid long-developing five-step drops on obvious pass downs, and keep first-downs coming early and not get into obvious passing plays. That being said, the offense does need to lean on the passing game more than the run game. This Cardinals secondary has injuries mounting up so attacking the receivers is a smart way to go.
Tom: I think they need to use the pass to establish the run, so the quick game seems the way to go.
Howman: The Cardinals secondary has been pretty bad this year, and an absent pass rush only makes it worse. They’re not terrible against the run, but I think the Cowboys should be able to throw it all over the field come Monday.
Sean: I’d love to see a heavy dose of play action in this game to get the Cardinals out of position in the secondary, leading to big plays downfield. The quick game had a few disastrous moments against the Broncos that were drive killers too though, so getting those cleaned up to get closer to the unfair “perfect” tier this offense needs to reach on a weekly basis to win would be good as well.
Rapid fire section
Spy Kyler Murray or win with rush-lane discipline?
Tom: Spy, because I don’t see the discipline being there.
Howman: Have Kenneth Murray spy, if only so he’s not part of the coverage scheme going forward.
Sean: I wouldn’t trust the spy to make a tackle or play that role responsibly anyway, so have to count on rush lane integrity. Gulp.
More offensive explosive plays, Cowboys or Cardinals?
Tom: Cards, because they are going against the Cowboys defense.
Howman: Cowboys; have you seen this Cardinals offense?
Sean: Cowboys just because of desperation and playing at home.
CeeDee Lamb receptions, over/under 7.5
Tom: Over out of necessity.
Howman: Over, he’ll have ample opportunities
Sean: Over and out.
More motion this week for Dallas, yes or no?
Tom: I hope so.
Howman: For sure, it’s easier to run that type of operation at home than on the road.
Sean: Sure.
Cowboys team sacks, O/U 3.0
Tom: Probably under.
Howman: Over, Kyler Murray has walked himself into so many sacks this year and he’ll continue to do it here.
Sean: Under even though the Cowboys stand a good chance to be playing with the lead.
One word to describe the Arizona defense?
Tom: Decent
Howman: Bad.
Sean: Vulnerable.
Sacks allowed by Dallas, O/U 2.0
Tom: Over
Howman: Under, the Cardinals have no pass rush right now
Sean: Under, get the ball out.
First takeaway on the Dallas defense comes from? (Can say no one)
Tom: DaRon Bland
Howman: Kenny Clark forcing the fumble and Shemar James recovering it
Sean: Let’s see another Trikweze Bridges interception. That’d be fun.
