DQ Report, Week 6 - Getting the Big Stop Late
The Cowboys defense needed to answer the challenge and they did just that
I believe statistics tell us plenty, but they also only tell us so much. It is great to know that the Cowboys right now are a team highly ranked in almost all of our “Big 10” stats:
As you can see, through six weeks, there is lots of blue stats – top 25% of the league – and no red for the bottom 25%. They are right up there in all of those “big picture” statistics and that is great.
But, does it tell the story about making that play at that moment?
On Monday, despite the performances of Dak Prescott and the offense, the defense had to put the final touches on a win by getting a “save” in a tribute to the baseball playoffs.
In baseball, we know the bullpens are vital and can close out a great game. I always wondered why the NFL doesn’t do something similar in football for defenses. Stats are used to compare teams to by painting wide strokes that tell a story. But, in my estimation, a defense has to be able to nail down a game at times and we saw that the Cowboys rose to that occasion.
Since the NFL doesn’t keep this stat, I thought I would try to do it. In my opinion, a “save” opportunity is the last drive of a game when you must get a stop because you have a lead or are tied. If the defense can get a stop, they get credit. If they can’t get a stop, knowing the stakes, then we must debit it. On Monday, the Cowboys kicked the potential game-winning FG, but had to kick it back to the Chargers with a 20-17 lead. So either the defense gets a stop, or, they are forced to overtime with a field goal or lose outright with a touchdown.
They knew their assignment and for the first time in 2023 were asked to get a save as the Chargers took the ball at their 25-yard line with 2:19 to go in the game.
And, as you know, they got it done.