The Dallas Cowboys‘ defense has been very good so far this season. But second-year defensive coordinator Dan Quinn believes it can be even better.
Through their first four games, the Cowboys have a 3-1 record and are currently riding a three-game winning streak with victories over the Cincinnati Bengals and two divisional rivals in the New York Giants and the Washington Commanders.
This Dallas team has been led by it’s defense. Allowing just a single touchdown in each of their first four matchups, this defensive unit is allowing just 15.5 points per game to opposing offenses. The Cowboys have recorded a whopping 15.0 total sacks so far this season, which is tied for the second most in the NFL. They also have 55 QB pressures according to Pro Football Reference, tied for first.
The Cowboys also lead the league in average yards per pass attempt allowed (5.5). This unit is limiting opposing offenses through the passing game as their front seven is doing a wonderful job putting pressure on the pocket forcing more short passing plays. And the Dallas secondary has limited receivers in both getting yards after the catch and completing those deep, chunk plays down the field.
What’s scary is that this might only be the tip of the iceberg for this defensive unit in Dallas.
Here’s what Quinn told the media during a press conference earlier this week when asked about balancing the attaboys with keeping this elite defensive unit focused on improving going forward.
“If you’re really going to be a good defense, you need to be good at all the spots. That’s third down. That’s red zone. That’s short yardage. All of those things we’re constantly trying to push to see where we could get to. I think we have a long way to go, but what does excite me about the group is that I think we can get a lot better as we’re going. That really fires me up. They’re tough. They’re smart. They want to get coached hard. So, I don’t really have to gauge them too much on ‘look at me, how great we’re doing’ when we know there’s a lot of work to do to get better.”
Dan Quinn, Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator
The Dallas Cowboys’ defense is the main reason for the current winning streak in Big D. And they’re doing a great job of holding down the fort until starting quarterback Dak Prescott is able to return from a thumb injury that’s had him sidelined since Week One. If the Cowboys can continue to win without Prescott under center, the sky is the limit for what this team might achieve if their offense is at full tilt as well.
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