Dallas Defense: Shutting Down Big Game Performances
by One.Cool.Customer on Feb 25, 2010 2:00 PM CST
Email
PrintFew things are more exciting for a Cowboys fan than watching Tony Romo pass for more than 300 yards (and win), Miles Austin notch another 100+ yards receiving day and the occasional 100+ yards rushing game by one of the three Cowboys running backs.
Depending on the type of fantasy football league you're playing in, 100-yard rushers, 100-yard receivers and 300-yard passers can be highly rewarding if you have them on your roster.
300+ yards passing, 100+ yards rushing and 100+ yards receiving are statistical milestones that are correctly labeled as 'Big Games' for the players who achieve them. And for every big game performance by an offensive player, there is a defense that allowed those performances.
The Dallas defense has been remarkably stingy on big game performances last season. Read on to find out who the big game players were last season and which defenses enabled them or shut them down.
1. 300+ Passers
| |
|
|
There were a record 104 games with 300+ yards passers last season. The previous record was 76, set in the 2008 season. Quite a jump.
Tony Romo had his highest career season total with eight 300+ games, one more than in the 2007 season. Over the course of the last three seasons, Romo is ranked second in 300+ games with 21, just one behind Drew Brees and five ahead of third ranked Peyton Manning.
The combined W-L record of the nine QBs listed on the right in games in which they passed for 300+ yards is 48-13, or .787.
The Dallas defense has allowed only one 300+ yards passing game. Unsurprisingly, it was the week-two, four-turnover bonanza against the Giants.
2. 100+ Receivers
|
|
|
The last season saw 163 occasions where a receiver notched more than 100 yards receiving.
Miles Austin set a franchise record with his 250 receiving yards against Kansas City and his 1,320 receiving yards for the season rank 5th on the all time Cowboys list behind Michael Irvin (91-93 & 95) and Terrell Owens (07).
The combined W-L record of the nine receivers listed on the left in games in which their receiving yards exceeded 100 is 39-9, or .812.
The Dallas defense has allowed 100+ receiving yards by a receiver on four separate occasions. Again, it should not come as a big surprise that three out of the four were to Giants wide receivers: Steve Smith (twice) and Mario Manningham, as well as the Chargers' Vincent Jackson. A total of seven teams in the NFL have allowed a 100+ receiver only once last season.
3. 100+ Rushers
| |
|
Running backs rushed for 100+ yards 116 times last season.
2009 was the season of Titans running back Chris Johnson. He became the sixth man in NFL history to gain at least 2,000 yards rushing in a single season and finished 99 yards shy of the all-time single-season record of 2,105 yards, which was set in 1984 by the Los Angeles Rams' Eric Dickerson.
Johnson also set an NFL record with 2,509 yards from scrimmage, breaking Marshall Faulk's 1999 record.
The combined W-L record of the eight running backs listed on the right in games where they rushed for 100+ yards is 33-19, or .635.
The Dallas defense has allowed exactly zero, nada, zilch, 100+ yards rushing games by a single running back. Unmatched in the NFL in 2009.
Ranking NFL defenses against Big Game Performers
Big Games allowed, 2009 regular season
Click on the column heading to sort by column
| Team | 300 + passing allowed | 100 + receiving allowed | 100+ rushing allowed | Total Big Games allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NYJ | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| DAL | 1 | 4 | 0 | 5 |
| DEN | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
| CAR | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 |
| GB | 1 | 4 | 2 | 7 |
| PHI | 4 | 4 | 1 | 9 |
| BAL | 1 | 5 | 3 | 9 |
| WAS | 1 | 5 | 3 | 9 |
| MIN | 2 | 6 | 3 | 9 |
| HOU | 3 | 3 | 4 | 10 |
| ATL | 5 | 4 | 1 | 10 |
| NYG | 3 | 5 | 2 | 10 |
| SD | 3 | 5 | 2 | 10 |
| SEA | 4 | 5 | 2 | 11 |
| CIN | 2 | 7 | 2 | 11 |
| PIT | 3 | 7 | 1 | 11 |
| MIA | 4 | 5 | 3 | 12 |
| JAC | 3 | 6 | 3 | 12 |
| NE | 5 | 4 | 4 | 13 |
| TB | 2 | 4 | 7 | 13 |
| CHI | 2 | 7 | 4 | 13 |
| BUF | 2 | 3 | 9 | 14 |
| OAK | 2 | 4 | 4 | 14 |
| IND | 1 | 6 | 6 | 15 |
| NO | 3 | 6 | 6 | 15 |
| STL | 4 | 6 | 6 | 15 |
| ARI | 3 | 5 | 5 | 16 |
| SF | 7 | 7 | 7 | 16 |
| TEN | 7 | 8 | 8 | 17 |
| CLE | 6 | 8 | 8 | 18 |
| KC | 6 | 9 | 9 | 21 |
| DET | 7 | 7 | 7 | 22 |
| Total | 104 | 163 | 116 | 383 |
61 comments
|
2 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
also, you mislabeled the tables for WR and RB with 300+ yards, instead of 100+
by AustonianAggie on Feb 25, 2010 2:09 PM CST up reply actions
and last, I can’t believe how much stronger an indicator of victory 300+ yards passing or 100+ yards recieving are over 100+ yards rushing. I wonder what a read out like this of, say, 1983, would look
by AustonianAggie on Feb 25, 2010 2:10 PM CST up reply actions
Especially since
one would assume that the team with the lead would be more likely running the football than throwing it.
RW is the opposite of WR. Coincidence? I think not.
by aussie_cowboy on Feb 25, 2010 11:33 PM CST up reply actions
So, good defense huh, ok I'll by it, but what does that say about or needs on offence?
sry, I see the good, but at this time of year I am in the what do we need to improve mode.
Looking at that pic of Ratliff makes you realize how truly amazing someone his size
has become an all pro 3-4 NT
2009 BTB Fantasy Champ... Deal with it
Your Chart
Fix the chart on the receivers and runningbacks to say 100+ instead of 300+
by WhiteMenCanDance on Feb 25, 2010 2:28 PM CST reply actions
The Cowboys had a great rushing attack in 2009 -
the team’s most rushing yards since 2001 and a franchise-best 4.8 yards per carry. Yet they had just one 100-yard rusher all season long. I think that’s the last time it’s happened since 1989. Of course, this is somewhat meaningless, since having 3 very talented running backs split time made the 100 yard individual game somewhat unnecessary. But I still found it interesting, all things considered. I wonder if individual 100-yard games across the league are down or not…
100 yard games
I’ll have a post up on that question in a couple of days. Here’s the sneak preview: the average numbers of players with 100+ rushing games this decade: 46, the average number of 100+ rushing games in a season: 139.
In the 90s, those numbers were 34 and 99. That is a major shift. Having said that, 2009 had 44 different 100+ yard rushers, but only 116 100+ games, the lowest since 1996 and completely against the trend of the last decade.
by One.Cool.Customer on Feb 25, 2010 4:21 PM CST up reply actions
If Austin had started all
16 games I’m sure he would have been the leading 100 YPG WR last year. Wonder how many rushing 100 yard games Dallas had as a team?
Dallas had 12 100-yard team rushing efforts during 2009 regular season
which is the most the team has had since 2001 (13). Compared to 2008 (8!) and 2002-2006 (in which the team only broke the 100-yard team rushing yards an average of 10 times per season), it was a spectacular performance. Not sure if it was because of three very talented running backs, a healthy and vaunted passing attack, an improved O-line, or many games where they were able to run out the clock. I will note that the team did have more 20+ and especially 40+ yard runs in 2009 than previous seasons. Must be because of #11’s downfield blocking ability…
in a way that's kind of surprising
with 3 backs all splitting time seems harder for any one of them to get a big game
Should also note that the Cowboys were 7-1
when Romo threw for 300+ yards last season. The only loss being the 2nd Giants game, where Romo completed a team -record 41 passes for nearly 400 yards, 3TDs and nippy interceptions. Btw, the Cowboys are 20-4 lifetime when Romo throws for 300+ yards. Not too shabby…
That was (in my mind) Romo's best game of the season
he had little help from his oline, yet he was amazingly accurate throughou the game and consistently bought a little extra time.
Whoops, I meant "zippy" instead of "nippy"
at least it made me chuckle…must have been thinking of Jessica.
That would be nipples
When I die I want to go peacefully in my sleep like my Grandfather -- not screaming like the passengers in his car.
I'm sure Wade is proud of allowing no 100 yard rushers.
He’s preached that stopping the run is the number 1 goal of his defense. Appreciate the defensive stat analysis you’ve been doing, OCC. Can’t wait to see the offensive series, too.
"Everybody wants something but nobody wants to pay the price" - Michael Irvin
I do think that not allowing a 100-yard rusher is somewhat misleading
in this day and age of shared backfields…I am more impressed with the fact that the Cowboys defense allowed just 1448 yards rushing in 2009, or the least that the team allowed since 2003 (and only 25 yards short of that season’s totals)
Wade and the defense
deserves props for last year
by nicholas.rodriguez on Feb 25, 2010 3:52 PM CST reply actions
So Jets and Cowboys had the best defenses in the league
at shutting down opposing QBs, WRs and RBs…very interesting.
In Romo we Trust
flat out awesome stats OCC
not too much of a surprise that us and the Jets are on top there. And really aside from the Giants games, our defense was terrific.
I think we have quiet a few underappreciated heroes on this defense, the most of which is newman.
underappreciated .... maybe
But newman is hot and cold, when he blows it, he blows it big, when he is on, he is close to shut down. That is what is most frustrating about him. We see what kind of potential he has, but sometimes he has lapses. Then he opens his mouth, pouts, and has a giant ego, which does not correlate to his play.
The raiders were said to be shopping everyone including asmoghua. I would trade newman, Roy, and a 2nd this year, for jenkins and nnamdi to be our starting corners next year.
You may have a point about underappreciated, but its like when you go to a restaurant, and have 10 great experiences, and 1 terrible experience, you only seem to talk about that one time.
by TONYINCC on Feb 25, 2010 5:19 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
This year TNew seemed to have something bothering him
And it was not physical. Whether it was personal or something else, he did not have the concentration and steadiness we have come to expect.
oh hmmm
Its not something he developed this year, or because of his injuries last year?? That’s not possible, newman is the best 31(09) cb ever!
In borat words
……..NOT!
by TONYINCC on Feb 25, 2010 11:03 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
-1
Hater!
Drago says, "We must break you!"
by APerfectStar on Feb 25, 2010 11:19 PM CST up reply actions
OK
That comment could come off like that. But, it only stems from my newman related frustration. He is a good cornerback, with terrible hands, and even more terrible recognition skills. Secondly, he has mental lapses, where he loses concentration. I am done talking about any cowboy in a negative way.
Peace
by TONYINCC on Feb 26, 2010 8:21 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Tony, you do realize every player has his bad moments ...
… and you do realize you’re talking about a guy that has basically been (and continues to be) one of the strengths of this D… I really don’t get how you can be so down on such a solid contributor.
Dallas’ D was elite last year. Newman was an integral part of that. All those coverage sacks? Newman was covering their top guy for more than 1/2 of them. What exactly do you expect?
Doomsday returns... Wade Phillips style.
not convinced that we have an apples to apples comparison
The QB’s yardage represents a team’s total passing game (basically), while the single game performances by a WR or RB represent only a portion of the team’s passing and rushing yards respectively. There’s a basic difference there that I think colors the stats. I wish I had a suggestion to reconcile it, but I don’t. Very interesting post OCC, thanks!
by speedmetal on Feb 25, 2010 10:45 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Interesting article
Our defense is really good at taking away the opponent’s main offensive weapon(s).
Next season’s assignment is to figure out and stymie the NYG offense. Especially the WR’s.
Good job OCC, I like the way you laid out the stats and got the chart at the bottom to sort by column.
Drago says, "We must break you!"
yeah for some reason they're the one team
that could put up big yards and games against our D. despite the fact that many other teams could shut them down. not sure if it was matchup or game planning or just dumb luck. but think how good our stats are against all the other teams when those two games were our worst of the season giving up yards and big games.
The Giants had a lot of loose balls fall right in their hands.
Some our biggest defensive lapses of the year came on plays against the Giants. But it’s also true that the Giants have put up big points on us in 4 of the last 5 games. There were lucky bounces in all of those games…for the Giants. I can only remember one lucky play for us. The Jenkins pick six. Eli threw it to Jenkins, and no one else was even close.
When I die I want to go peacefully in my sleep like my Grandfather -- not screaming like the passengers in his car.
Sort the bottom chart by total big games ... and then look where NO and IND are ...
Tied with STL … at 15! Only 6 teams were worse.
It’s interesting how much the ingredients change for what defines a champion. New England’s undefeated season was marketed with both explosive offense and solid D, but the Giant’s front 7 trumped them. This year NO’s offense trumped the Vikings D.
This is a great post, though after the headline I thought you’d give more print to the defensive stats. For example, while NO and IND don’t look good in TOTAL BIG games, they both were solid against 300+ passers (Colts only one, NO 3). This seems to be the most telling stat on your list for defenses.
Doomsday returns... Wade Phillips style.
you can win a SB with a medicore defense
if you have a great offense. The Saints proved that this year.
In Romo we Trust
How do you define mediocre defense?
It depends on what you consider important. NO was 3rd best in the league at forcing a low passer rating by opposing QBs.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/team/_/stat/passing/sort/quarterbackRating/position/defense
If you’re wondering what the relevance of that is, take a look at the Passer Rating Differential statistic created by Cold Hard Football Facts.
http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/Articles/2_2865_2009_Passer_Rating_Differential.html
I find the statistic very interesting. One observation is that Dallas was 6th in offensive passer rating and 16th in defensive passer rating, which suggests Dallas might want to focus on improving the pass defense.
by Fan in Thick and Thin on Feb 26, 2010 11:22 AM CST up reply actions
mediocre is allowing the opposing team to move the ball on you with ease
and thats exactly what most teams did against the Saints. Saints just usually outscored the other team so it didn’t matter.
In Romo we Trust
not sure your logic is bulletproof terry
which of these lists do you think looks more closely related to winning?
1. New England
2. Green Bay
3. Dallas
4. New Orleans
5. NY Jets
6. Houston
7. Minnesota
8. Pittsburgh
9. Denver
10. NY Giants
1. New Orleans
2. Green Bay
3. San Diego
4. Baltimore
5. Indianapolis
6. Minnesota
7. Pittsburgh
8. Philadelphia
9. Dallas
10. New England
by Fan in Thick and Thin on Feb 26, 2010 12:50 PM CST up reply actions
whoops ... made a mistake ... these are corrected
people can draw their own conclusions.
I do note that Dallas outgained their opponents by more than New Orleans.
The series are:
Yards per game differential
1. Green Bay
2. Dallas
3. New England
4. Minnesota
5. NY Jets
6. Pittsburgh
7. Houston
8. Baltimore
9. New Orleans
10. NY Giants
Passer Rating Differential.
1. New Orleans
2. Green Bay
3. San Diego
4. Baltimore
5. Indianapolis
6. Minnesota
7. Pittsburgh
8. Philadelphia
9. Dallas
10. New England
by Fan in Thick and Thin on Feb 26, 2010 12:59 PM CST up reply actions
Saints may have had a mediocre defense
in terms of yards allowed and points allowed, but they snagged the most turnovers and scored the most defensive TDs in the league by far. That helps. I’d rather have a defense like that than a bend-but-don’t break defense that doesn’t make any big plays a la the 2003 Cowboys. And frankly, getting the turnovers and scoring and giving your offense good field position is something that the 2009 Cowboys defense did not do very well and should work on improving in 2010. terry is right, though – if you have a great offense, which I believe Dallas does – you don’t necessarily need the Steel Curtain as well. An ideal fit for an explosive offense is a playmaking defense that helps put even more pressure on the other team.
you can't count on generating TOs to stop the opposing team
as your luck is going to run out eventually. I doubt we see as many TOs generated next year by that exact same defense.
In Romo we Trust
They won in the regular season with TOs. They won in the playoffs with TOs and they won a SB with a big TO. You just dont give them credit.
From the 1st practice in OTs last year it became a priorty with Gregg Williams.(DC)
KICK ASS every day!!!
parody v. parity
There is a joke to be made there, but I have had one too many Sierra Nevada Double Bocks
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
Sure, it's likely that the Saints won't force 40 takeaways
and score 8 defensive TDs next year, but that’s not my point. I just want the Cowboys to do better than thjeir 2009 totals of 21 takeaways and one defensive score. THAT WAS AWFUL and should be UNACCEPTABLE.
By the way, the Cowboys defense got 22 takeaways and one defensive score in 2008 as well. Very frustrating.
I'm truly amazed at how people can look at this Cowboys D and think "awful and unacceptable"
Doomsday returns... Wade Phillips style.
DH22 is not saying the Defense as a whole is awful, just that particular aspect of it
I am not saying that aspect was awful, but I’d like to see it improve
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
Sorry but 8 interceptions in 2008 and 11 ints in 2009
is by any definition of the word, “awful” and “unacceptable.”
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Blogging The Boys
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
SBNation.com Recent Stories
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- Sore loser Bully Ray spits beer in the face of Brandon Jacobs
- Anthony Shadid followed the Green Bay Packers, with love, from a distance
- Concussions on kickoffs were cut in half in 2011
- ESPN exec’s tip for Jon Gruden: Recognize when not to speak
- Report: Several teams (and leagues) interested in Randy Moss
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
