In the 2022 and 2023 seasons including the playoffs, the Cowboys won 13 games in 2022 and 12 games 2023. They lost 6 games in 2022 and 6 games in 2023. I want to look at the role the inability to stop the run played in those combined 12 losses the last two seasons.
Here are the stats for the 6 losses we had in 2022 and how many yards rushing we surrendered:
- Vs TB- L 19-3. Gave up 153 yards rushing
- @Phi L 26-17. Gave up 136 yards rushing
- @GB L 31-28. Gave up 206 yards rushing
- @Jax L 40-34. Gave up 192 yards rushing
- @Wash L 26-6. Gave up 151 yards rushing (Cowboys didn’t try to win this game because playoff seeding was decided)
- @SF in Divisional round playoff game L 19-12. Gave up 113 yards rushing
In their 6 losses in 2022, the Cowboys averaged giving up 159 rushing yards per game.
Here are the stats for the 6 losses we had in 2023 and how many yards rushing we surrendered:
- @Ariz L 28-16. Gave up 222 yards rushing
- @SF L 42-10. Gave up 170 yards rushing
- @Phil L 28-23. Gave up 109 yards rushing
- @Buff L 31-10. Gave up 266 yards rushing
- @Mia L 22-20. Gave up 91 yards rushing
- Vs GB in wild card playoff game. L 48-32. Gave up 143 yards rushing.
So in our 6 losses in 2023, the Cowboys averaged giving up 167 rushing yards per game. Combining the last two seasons, we average giving up 163 yards rushing per game. You cannot beat good teams when you can’t stop the run. (Quick side note: 10 of the Cowboys 12 losses the last two seasons were on the road, and our run defense was at its worst on the road)
There are lots of things we need to fix or rebuild with the Cowboys this off-season. I know many Cowboys fans who want to change QBs. I understand that. BUT…if this team does not find a way to fix its inability to stop the run, we could have Patrick Mahomes under center and we aren’t going to win a lot of playoff games.
Fixing the run defense problem is job #1 this off-season.
