Is it possible that DQ’s defensive scheme with its monster pass rush and turnover machine drive was the team’s identity and philosophy for the last three 12 win seasons? Is it possible that defensive philosophy actually masked the team’s deeper warts until we played better teams? It’s very possible. This year, a really, really bad front office has pulled the mask off.
The Cowboys were at or near the top of the NFL in turnovers and sacks for 3 straight years. If the Cowboys got ahead by 10 or more points in games, it was curtains for our opponents – especially the below average teams. Last year the Cowboys were undefeated when they scored first. In all but one of our wins last year, we scored first. In all 6 losses (including the GB playoff loss) the other team scored first. If we got behind by more than 7, our defense was not the same.
Yeah I know our offense scored a bunch the last 3 years. But how much of that was gift wrapped by turnovers? And it’s also painfully obvious that this front office had the worst roster building off-season I’ve ever seen in Cowboys history. This offense has 1.5 weapons. Cedee Lamb and occasionally Jake Ferguson. And an OL that looks like Swiss cheese. Ouch.
With no sack and TO machine to cover the team’s deeper issues, and with JJ and SJ throwing this season away, the Cowboys are way worse than they appeared to be before the season started.
Whatever happens with a new HC in the future, this team badly needs a new identity. And whoever is hired to come in here next year has a very barren roster to build on.
There’s no masking that anymore.
