Cowboys 2020 defense bye-week approval poll

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Dallas Cowboys Defensive Stats and Rankings

Defensive Ranking: 32nd

Opponents Points Per Game: 32.2

Opponents Passing Yards: 2,021 yards

Opponents Rushing Yards: 1,413 yards

Opponents Third Down Conversion Rate: 48.3% (Ranking: 28th)

Opponents Fourth Down Conversion Rate: 45.5% (Ranking: 10th)

Opponents Red Zone Scoring Percentage: 66.7% (Ranking: 20th)

Forced Fumbles Recovered: 4

Interceptions: 3

Sacks: 17

Season Ending Injuries: DT Trysten Hill, DT Gerald McCoy

Players who’ve missed time: LB Joe Thomas, DL Tyrone Crawford, CB Trevon Diggs, LB Sean Lee, LB Leighton Vander Esch, CB Anthony Brown, CB Chidobe Awuzie, DE Randy Gregory (Suspension)

The Cowboys defense, specifically the defensive line, we're being touted as one of the most talented on paper entering the season, but injuries and a change in defensive schemes have hindered their production. Losing Gerald McCoy before the season began really hurt the interior of this line, then later losing productive young defensive tackle Trysten Hill dealt another blow to the struggling line.

The Cowboys would also sustain injuries at linebacker and cornerback that really hurt them as well with Leighton Vander Each, Sean Lee, Anthony Brown, and Chidobe Awuzie all going down with injuries and missing multiple games. The defense still had to go out and try to make plays but were unable to get the job done on the field. Some of that had to with the scheme from defensive coordinator Mike Nolan and his ability this offseason to get it fully implemented.

The hybrid 4-3/3-4 defense has been a struggle for players to grasp early in the season as players weren't reacting on the field and instead were thinking too much about their responsibilities. Those issues allowed opposing offenses to run up the score early on the Cowboys. The good thing for this defense now, though, is that the players seem to have settled into their roles and responsibilities, and it's starting to show on the field.

They aren't making as many mistakes as they did earlier. Let’s hope that they can continue to get better.

Let’s see what you all think about the defense going forward.