Archer: Rapid Reaction - Dallas Cowboys

[Cotton]

Rapid Reaction: Dallas Cowboys

October, 20, 2013

By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com

PHILADELPHIA -- A few thoughts on the Dallas Cowboys’ 17-3 win against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.

What it means: With back-to-back wins for the first time this season, the 4-3 Cowboys have taken control of the NFC East. They are 3-0 in the division for the first time since 2007 and just the seventh time in franchise history. They also won on the road for the first time this season after losses to Kansas City and San Diego. After allowing 1,456 yards in their three games entering Sunday, the Cowboys kept the up-tempo Eagles in check with just 278 yards and came up with three fourth-quarter interceptions -- by Sean Lee, Barry Church andBrandon Carr of Matt Barkley. An interception of Nick Foles was negated by a replay review. The third-down defense was particularly strong, holding Philadelphia to just four conversions in 18 tries.

Stock watch: Rising – Monte Kiffin. The defensive coordinator was falling two weeks ago when his defense allowed 51 points to Denver. When he was at USC and facing Chip Kelly's offense at Oregon, Kiffin’s defense allowed 50 points and 601 yards per game. The Eagles had scored 30 points in four of their first six games, but managed only a field goal thanks to strong man-to-man coverage from the Dallas corners.

Tony Romo at 100: The quarterback was starting his 100th regular-season game for the Cowboys, and improved to 59-41 as a starter. It wasn’t a vintage Romo performance. He had his first multi-interception game of the season, even if the first pick was on an end-of-half Hail Mary. But when the offense needed him most, Romo came through. On their fourth-quarter touchdown drive he completed 7 of 8 passes for 69 yards, capped by the clinching touchdown to Terrance Williams.

Big names missing: For the first time in his nine-year career, defensive end DeMarcus Waremissed a game. Ware did not play because of a quadriceps strain and was replaced in the starting lineup by Kyle Wilber. The Cowboys still managed decent pressure on Foles (three sacks). The Cowboys were also without DeMarco Murray (knee). It was the 10th game Murray has missed in three seasons. His replacement, Joseph Randle, ran for 65 yards, andPhillip Tanner added a touchdown run, giving the Cowboys a rushing score in their third straight game.

What’s next: The Cowboys remain on the road with a trip to Ford Field to take on theDetroit Lions next Sunday. While not as important as a division game, it could come into play later in the season in a possible wild-card race. The Cowboys won 28-27 in their last visit to Ford Field on Dec. 9, 2007.

 

[Carp]

Bipo assured me Kiffin could not stop Kelly.

 

[BipolarFuk]

Bipo assured me Kiffin could not stop Kelly.

Vick probably would have rolled up 500 yards total offense.

 

[Carp]

Vick probably would have rolled up 500 yards total offense.

Oh...fantasy time I guess. I'll pretend we would have held them to negative yards.

 

[L.T. Fan]

Bipo assured me Kiffin could not stop Kelly.

You know Bipo, you give him an inch and he thinks he is a ruler.

 

[1bigfan13]

I'm surprised so many analysts, and posters for that matter, kept pointing to Kelly's success against Kiffin's defense during their college tenure.

It's a silly reference.

Oregon has vastly more talent than USC. Plus USC had a ton of scholarship limitations.

It's like assuming a coach from Alabama is infinitely more talented than a coach from Duke. The coaches may have similar skills but one has more resources/talent to work with.

That's how I looked at the USC-Oregon series the past few years. The talent has increased at Oregon while it's rapidly decreased at USC.

Anyone expecting Kelly to easily put up 50 against Kiffin just because he could do it at Oregon is kidding themselves.

 

[skidadl]

In fairness there is noting that Kelly can do to make those QBs competent.

 

[1bigfan13]

In fairness there is noting that Kelly can do to make those QBs competent.

That's my point.

The talent isn't lopsided like it was during their college years.

The playing field is even.

 

[skidadl]

That's my point.

The talent isn't lopsided like it was during their college years.

The playing field is even.

Im agreeing with you.

 

[boozeman]

Bipo assured me Kiffin could not stop Kelly.

I didn't think Kiffin could either.

But then again, Kelly didn't appear to be that creative. Aside from screens and wheel routes we have seen before, he never pulled the trigger on tricks.

And it helped that Foles was absolutely horrible.

 

[L.T. Fan]

It also helped that the Dallas defense completely shut down McCoy and the running game. He has been a thorn in the Cowboys side for a while.

 

[VA Cowboy]

It wasn't so much Kiffin vs. Kelly as it was Kiffin vs spread or read/option offenses. He had problems against that type of offense at USC and his one year at Tennessee. Of course with Vick out we didn't really see that type of offense today.

That said, I didn't think this Cowboy defense would limit any offense to 3 points this year.

 

[Texas Ace]

That said, I didn't think this Cowboy defense would limit any offense to 3 points this year.

Me either.

I thought we'd make their receivers struggle today which is why I said in the gameday thread that I felt pretty good coming into this one, but I did not expect for us to hold them to 3.

Actually, had it not been for Romo's pick, it may have been 0.

 

[E_D_Guapo]

And it helped that Foles was absolutely horrible.

As impressed as I've been with the D the past couple of weeks—especially considering the guys they're forced to play on the D-Line—it can't be ignored how bad the QB play has been in those two games. RGIII was wildly inaccurate last week and same for Foles this week. You take those Ws and are happy with them but who is going to be surprised if they give up 38 points next week in Detroit?

 

[Genghis Khan]

It wasn't so much Kiffin vs. Kelly as it was Kiffin vs spread or read/option offenses. He had problems against that type of offense at USC and his one year at Tennessee. Of course with Vick out we didn't really see that type of offense today.

That said, I didn't think this Cowboy defense would limit any offense to 3 points this year.

except we saw it last week against Washington and they didn't do much either. And Washington put up 40 plus against Chicago so they can score.

The switch to more man coverage has really helped this defense and hopefully it continues.

 

[1bigfan13]

except we saw it last week against Washington and they didn't do much either. And Washington put up 40 plus against Chicago so they can score.

The switch to more man coverage has really helped this defense and hopefully it continues.

I think that's the biggest thing. We're finally playing to the strength of our personnel.

And good point about Washington's ability to score. I know it's chic to discount solid performances by the Cowboys so people won't give them the credit they deserve. The Redskins and Eagles have done a pretty good job scoring points this year and Dallas' defense completely controlled both teams.

Maybe, just maybe, Dallas' defense is doing some things to throw these QBs off their game. Crazy idea, I know.

I'm going to give the defense credit instead of dismissing the performances because "the other team didn't play well".

 

[Simpleton]

If we can limit to Detroit to 20 or less points then I will fully jump on the bandwagon but I just don't think the defense will hold up against elite offenses. Not that Detroit's offense is necessarily elite, but they have enough to expose us a little bit.

I am impressed with the last two weeks though and I think once Ware returns we have enough defensively to win the division.

 

[kidd]

If we can limit to Detroit to 20 or less points then I will fully jump on the bandwagon but I just don't think the defense will hold up against elite offenses. Not that Detroit's offense is necessarily elite, but they have enough to expose us a little bit.

I am impressed with the last two weeks though and I think once Ware returns we have enough defensively to win the division.

I said pretty much the same thing in another thread.

Our D doesn't have to be elite. If Romo and Co. can put up numbers like they did against Denver while the D turns in a solid prformance like it has the last two weeks, I like our chances next week.

 

[NoDak]

If Romo and Co. can put up numbers like they did against Denver while the D turns in a solid prformance like it has the last two weeks, I like our chances next week.

Well, yeah. If our team can score 40 and hold them to 10, I like our chances too.

 

[Smitty]

As impressed as I've been with the D the past couple of weeks—especially considering the guys they're forced to play on the D-Line—it can't be ignored how bad the QB play has been in those two games. RGIII was wildly inaccurate last week and same for Foles this week. You take those Ws and are happy with them but who is going to be surprised if they give up 38 points next week in Detroit?

Nobody.