FRISCO, Texas – Dallas’ defense suffered one of its worst losses under defensive coordinator Dan Quinn in Buffalo three weeks ago… That made the defensive unit realize they needed to be more aggressive with the ball and more disciplined in the running game.
Since then, both things have come true and the unit has allowed just 17 points per game, helping lead the Cowboys to an NFC East title down the stretch. In those three games, the Cowboys are allowing just 88.7 rushing yards per game and have forced five turnovers.
“We’re definitely moving forward at the right time,” safety Jayron Kearse said. “You want to play your best football when you get to that dance, and these last two weeks we’ve been making good progress. In order to keep it up, guys have to keep doing what they’re doing. I don’t think anyone’s done anything different. We came back to the basics and it worked.
For Dan Quinn, the opportunity to improve in the final weeks of the season has allowed Dallas to correct mistakes and build confidence heading into the win-or-go-home portion of the season, even if he feels there’s more to it. room to grow.
“I think we’re making that progress,” Quinn said. “We’ve been talking about sharpening the axe. We’re going to be tested again. So going into the postseason, you’ve got to have your s— in order.”
While the defense is hoping for a strong postseason run on their part, starting this week against the Green Bay Packers, they also know they have a strong unit on the other side to help them pick themselves up, just as they have helped their offense throughout. throughout the season.
“What gives me hope is that I know what we can do on our side of the ball with the guys we have, but we have No. 4 and No. 88,” Kearse said, referring to Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, respectively. “That’s enough hope for me when they play like they do. I think they’re the best quarterback-receiver duo in the league. The numbers say it too. As long as we do our part on defense, I know those guys will keep cooking.” .
The opportunity awaits this week for the defensive unit to make its first big postseason impression against the Packers, and it’s something the unit is enjoying early in the week. Even as the celebration stretched into the night sky during the team’s trip back to Dallas Sunday night, the look toward the future occurred almost simultaneously.
“We were definitely already in Green Bay,” Kearse said. “There was a lot of excitement on that plane. We were going to enjoy it on our way back to Dallas, but now that we’re back in the building, it’s all Green Bay. This is a work week.”
2024-01-09 20:19:03
#Defense #sharpening #playoffs
