Dallas Cowboys Week One Review/Week Two Preview: Run Defense

There is much to talk about following the Dallas Cowboys’ impressive 34-21 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Tony Romo got hot and you can argue that he was simply the difference in the game.

Roy Williams and the receiving corps answered critics’ questions (for one week at least) that they can make big plays in the passing game.

The special teams for once did not cause anyone headaches and there were only a few dumb penalties.

However, going into week two the big question is whether the run defense can fix the wounds opened by the Bucs’ duo (Cadillac Williams and Derrick Ward) of running backs.

It is well-documented how well the New York Giants run the football so I won’t bore you with stats to prove this very obvious point. For the Cowboys to open up Cowboys Stadium (or the Death Star as I like to call it) with a win, it is imperative that they shore up the run defense.

Here is a review of how Tampa succeeded in running the ball on Sunday against the Cowboy defense and a brief look at what Dallas needs to do stop the Giants ground game.

The Cowboys surrendered a total of 174 rushing yards on 31 running plays (5.6 per play). Unfortunately, this total was not inflated by one fluky 90-yard run. Tampa had an effective running attack all game with several gashes.

In fact, it was really the Cowboy passing game that stopped the Buccaneer rushing onslaught. A 20-point Cowboy lead with about four minutes to play forced Tampa to abandon the run.

Two of the Bucs’ final three rushing plays (which came early in the fourth quarter) were for a solid five and six yards respectively, a sign that if the score allowed them to, they may have been able to surpass the 200-yard mark on the ground.  

In total, Tampa had 13 runs for four yards or more, including spikes of 22 and 35 yards. Seven (including the longest two) of these runs went right, three went left, and three were right up the gut. Although Tampa favored running behind their right guard and tackle, they clearly had success running in all directions.

In fact, the runs up the middle that went for four-plus yards actually went for six, nine, and 12 yards. Overall, it was a great ground effort and the Buccaneer offensive line and wide receivers seemed to be winning all of the physical battles.

Ken Hamlin blitzing his way out of the play combined with Bobby Carpenter and Terence Newman getting manhandled by great downfield blocks propelled Cadillac’s 35-yard run.

On Ward’s 22-yard run, DeMarcus Ware could not shed his block to make the play in the backfield and Jason Hatcher and the rest of the interior line were sealed off, leaving open a huge hole for the former Giant.

Bradie James also had a chance to make the play in the backfield as he shot through his gap but flattened the angle of his pursuit at the last second, taking himself out of the play.

The Cowboys were simply outmanned on Sunday when the Bucs chose to run the ball. Dallas defenders were not getting off their blocks often enough to hold the Tampa running backs to short yardage. There was not enough physical play by Dallas.

Sure, there were enough mental mistakes to go around like not staying in the proper gap and taking bad angles but overall the Cowboys were beat significantly in the one-on-one blocking situations. The Buccaneers were not really picking on anyone in particular as they had success running the ball in every direction and against different Dallas front 7 personnel.

This Sunday night, the Cowboys defense needs to win the one-on-ones and not get handled across the line of scrimmage like they were on Sunday. The linebackers and defensive backs need to shed more blocks and play nastier.

When they have a clean shot in the backfield they can’t afford to hesitate against Brandon Jacobs because we all know he is a train running downfield. Dallas needs to hustle more and stop guys in their tracks instead of letting ball carriers drag them for extra yards. We definitely need to see more wrapping up and gang tackling in week two.

Schematic wise I think Wade Phillips will probably load the box since the New York receiving crew is still unproven. The Redskins had success holding the Giant offense in check most of the game as they allowed only 16 offensive points.

Phillips and his defense can at least look at what Washington did and try to mimic their defensive game plan. I expect improvement and Sunday night we should see the return of a Dallas defense that has been solid against the run in recent years.