The Dallas Cowboys’ defense has exceeded expectations so far in 2011 in defensive coordinator Rob Ryan’s first season with the team. The Cowboys rank fourth in the NFL in overall defense and first against the run. Dallas has done a good job overall when backed into the red zone, but not so good following a turnover by the Cowboys’ offense. That will have to change for the Cowboys to contend for a playoff spot.
Dallas quarterback Tony Romo has been fairly productive this season; he’s piled up yards, but not many touchdowns. His 318 yards per game ranks fifth in the NFL, but he only has seven touchdowns through four games to go along with five interceptions. Of course, the Cowboys’ defense can’t help Romo’s mistakes in critical moments. However, this unit can step up in those tough situations.
The Cowboys’ defense has given up more touchdowns following turnovers than on opposing teams’ other drives. It’s easy to get pumped up and play big after your team scores. It’s not easy after your offense punts, but it’s easier than going out after your quarterback throws a crucial interception.
But that’s what championship defenses do. The last few times the NFL’s top offense and top defense met in the Super Bowl it was the defense that won the championship, validating the old cliché. The Baltimore Ravens’ stellar defense overcame a non-existent offense to blow out the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV. Two years later, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers did the same thing to the Oakland Raiders. Even though their average (or even subpar) offenses didn’t light up the scoreboard, those teams’ defenses came up big on every play.
Playing well following a turnover is a very mentally tough thing to do. Like anything else, everyone would do it if it was easy. But if there’s a unit that can do it, it’s a Ryan defense. No other coach in football can fire up his players like Ryan.
Now that task should be even easier as all of the Cowboys’ injured defenders are healthy, just in time for an away game against the New England Patriots. If there’s any team that will take advantage of a stagnant defense, it’s the Patriots. The Cowboys’ defenders must be on their toes at all times, especially after Romo turns the ball over.
It’s frustrating to assume that Romo will turn the ball over instead of saying “if”, but that’s just the way it is. Regardless of how much it aggravates the Cowboys’ defenders, they must go out and be mentally prepared to stop the Patriots’ offense, even after New England is fired up for forcing a turnover.
No matter the opponent, Dallas must learn to play even better defense following a turnover if it wants to contend for a playoff spot and beyond that. Being healthy at the right time helps, but the mental toughness it takes to win in the NFL is something the Cowboys are still striving to acquire.
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[...] defense has played very well for the most part in 2011, ranking fourth overall in the NFL. However, the unit has failed to rise up following Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo’s turnovers, a primary reason why Dallas is 2-2. Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware doesn’t think that will be [...]
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