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The Zimmer Report - Unforced Errors in ATL
Details continue to matter and it starts with getting 11 on the field for crucial 3rd down.
Bob Sturm
Nov 07, 2024
Here we go. Our objectives today will be:
Evaluating the overall defensive effort vs Atlanta
This is a pretty weird game to summarize from a defensive standpoint. On one hand, they only allowed 100 yards on the ground and 310 yards overall. That would be a very good day in 2024 for both categories and suggests they did a nice job.
But, did they?
In watching the game, it never felt like Atlanta’s offense was struggling. Rather, to me, it felt like Kirk Cousins and Bijan Robinson could get whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted it. They seemed rather relaxed and in control and able to go get a score when and if they needed one.
I know that is not a data-driven take, but I got the idea that Atlanta was absolutely fine letting the situation dictate how aggressive they were going to be. Once Drake London left the game after a touchdown, they dialed back the aggression until a time where Dallas threatened their two-score lead. It really never seemed they were too pressed to chase production stats.
Statistically speaking, the numbers are better. The third-down defense was back where it should be, but then given back by the Falcons converting each fourth down and scoring a touchdown each time they entered the red zone. As inefficient as the Dallas offense was, the Dallas defense matched them with their own brand of inefficiency in key spots.
Dallas avoided the huge avalanches where an opponent has scored touchdowns on six straight drives this year. Not on this occasion as The Falcons never scored points on consecutive drives. But, they did get a touchdown per quarter and if a team is scoring four touchdowns against Dallas these days, it is pretty unlikely that the game will end well.
They need Micah Parsons back. Right now, they are just not capable of attacking up front and the attrition is not helping. They are just a replacement level defense right now - at best.
Dealing with Bijan Robinson
We talked about this in our preview:
Please never tell me that RBs are interchangeable. When you see someone like this, you quickly are reminded that Emmitt Smith was not everywhere. Singular guys remain singular.
Within26 touches for 145 yards and it honestly felt like he could have named his stat line. That play where he took Kendricks out wide and cut back inside for an easy 29 yard reception was unfair. What a player.
Overshown, Mazi, and Carl Lawson
Back when I had time to make this its normal long piece, Kevin Utz and I made some reels of three different players. Here they are.
DeMarvion Overshown
Overshown has a very interesting reel in that the first few plays are poor and then as the game went along, he kept getting better and better. He was the Cowboys best defender and chased his Longhorn teammate all day.
Mazi Smith
Very discouraged by Mazi’s day. Worst graded player on the day by PFF and he is on the ground constantly. We may be getting near the end of Mazi’s run.
Carl Lawson
Lawson had a day where he got to the QB a few times and put some splash plays together. He is an older player and not much more than a depth play, but he has been improving as he returns to game shape and deserved some recognition for his day. Don’t try to block him with a tight end, please.
Four key plays that went poorly
1Q - 6:09 - 3-4-DAL 16 - K.Cousins pass short left to B.Robinson to DAL 9 for 7 yards
You have definitely seen this one as Dan Orlovsky tweeted about it pretty early. I mean, we can talk about the weird defense that is not really following Bijan Robinson in motion here or we could just point out the obvious - they have 10 players on defense. Here, Next Gen is trying to track your defense and they can’t find your 11th player:
They think Dallas is running a 3-2-5, which is definitely only 10 guys. In fact, they have no idea what coverage to assign here. So, Mike Zimmer said that in all the personnel grouping changes they didn’t get the 11th guy on. So, I went back to look at the first 3rd down vs 11 personnel and the player missing here is Israel Mukuamu. That would then stand to reason that perhaps he would be the guy running with Bijan, but that is a pure guess. Either way, get 11 out there and then we can look at this play seriously. A horrid look on a 3rd down in the 1st Quarter.
Which leads to the very next play…
1Q - 5:27 - 1-9-DAL 9 - K.Cousins pass short left to D.London for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
This one is just beautiful offense and a clue as to how the Cowboys should be attacking. You know you are probably getting man coverage in the red zone and so you run Drake London out of the slot, cross the two which knocks the corner’s leverage and then a perfect back shoulder fade throw and Trevon Diggs has no chance. Gorgeous execution and Dallas didn’t really do much wrong here (aside from allowing a free 1st down because 10 men and stuff).
2Q - 8:34 - 4-3-DAL 36 - K.Cousins pass short right to D.Mooney for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
This is fourth down and the Cowboys are going to get their hand burned here. We mentioned last week that Zimmer is really pushing the chips in and gambling more and here it is the Cover 0 blitz. That means a 6-man blitz, 5 receivers vs 5 DBs and zero safeties to help. Zero.
Now, when you send six, the belief is that the QB will have no time and will just have to get the ball out. But, Atlanta has a great call on which is 3-man bunch where the inside man - Darnell Mooney – runs the wheel behind the two outside guys running in-routes to cause a traffic jam. Does Dallas have a plan for this? I might recommend that they try to “Banjo” this:
He wasn’t pleased.
Last one here.
3Q - 10:29 - 2-11-DAL 11 - K.Cousins pass short right to R.McCloud for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
I think my takeaways here are that this is against Cover 3 and Ray-Ray McCloud and Kyle Pitts cross eachother at the goal-line and Donovan Wilson is the deep safety. I just want to say all of these concepts are from OC Zac Robinson (yes, the former Oklahoma State QB) who served for five seasons under Sean McVay. Every single thing he tried looked great. And this route did, too. Kirk Cousins has to think he died and went to heaven to have this many open guys for touchdowns.
SPLASH PLAYS
Dallas had a fair number of positive plays and this is easily one of the better defensive days we have seen from them recently, but I just don’t think Atlanta was ever very close to feeling like they were struggling.
Season Leaderboard - Splash Plays
So, there you go. A little shorter than normal, but if you missed the Mingo piece, you should check it out here.
We are on to Philadelphia.
Details continue to matter and it starts with getting 11 on the field for crucial 3rd down.
Bob Sturm
Nov 07, 2024
Here we go. Our objectives today will be:
- Evaluate the overall defensive effort vs Atlanta
- Dealing with Bijan Robinson
- Overshown, Mazi, and Carl Lawson
- Four key plays that went poorly
- Splash Plays
Evaluating the overall defensive effort vs Atlanta
This is a pretty weird game to summarize from a defensive standpoint. On one hand, they only allowed 100 yards on the ground and 310 yards overall. That would be a very good day in 2024 for both categories and suggests they did a nice job.
But, did they?
In watching the game, it never felt like Atlanta’s offense was struggling. Rather, to me, it felt like Kirk Cousins and Bijan Robinson could get whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted it. They seemed rather relaxed and in control and able to go get a score when and if they needed one.
I know that is not a data-driven take, but I got the idea that Atlanta was absolutely fine letting the situation dictate how aggressive they were going to be. Once Drake London left the game after a touchdown, they dialed back the aggression until a time where Dallas threatened their two-score lead. It really never seemed they were too pressed to chase production stats.
Statistically speaking, the numbers are better. The third-down defense was back where it should be, but then given back by the Falcons converting each fourth down and scoring a touchdown each time they entered the red zone. As inefficient as the Dallas offense was, the Dallas defense matched them with their own brand of inefficiency in key spots.
Dallas avoided the huge avalanches where an opponent has scored touchdowns on six straight drives this year. Not on this occasion as The Falcons never scored points on consecutive drives. But, they did get a touchdown per quarter and if a team is scoring four touchdowns against Dallas these days, it is pretty unlikely that the game will end well.
They need Micah Parsons back. Right now, they are just not capable of attacking up front and the attrition is not helping. They are just a replacement level defense right now - at best.
Dealing with Bijan Robinson
We talked about this in our preview:
He definitely did not disappoint - unless you were hoping Dallas could lock him down. He is just a special player and it was on full display on Sunday.
Please never tell me that RBs are interchangeable. When you see someone like this, you quickly are reminded that Emmitt Smith was not everywhere. Singular guys remain singular.
Within26 touches for 145 yards and it honestly felt like he could have named his stat line. That play where he took Kendricks out wide and cut back inside for an easy 29 yard reception was unfair. What a player.
Overshown, Mazi, and Carl Lawson
Back when I had time to make this its normal long piece, Kevin Utz and I made some reels of three different players. Here they are.
DeMarvion Overshown
Overshown has a very interesting reel in that the first few plays are poor and then as the game went along, he kept getting better and better. He was the Cowboys best defender and chased his Longhorn teammate all day.
Mazi Smith
Very discouraged by Mazi’s day. Worst graded player on the day by PFF and he is on the ground constantly. We may be getting near the end of Mazi’s run.
Carl Lawson
Lawson had a day where he got to the QB a few times and put some splash plays together. He is an older player and not much more than a depth play, but he has been improving as he returns to game shape and deserved some recognition for his day. Don’t try to block him with a tight end, please.
Four key plays that went poorly
1Q - 6:09 - 3-4-DAL 16 - K.Cousins pass short left to B.Robinson to DAL 9 for 7 yards
You have definitely seen this one as Dan Orlovsky tweeted about it pretty early. I mean, we can talk about the weird defense that is not really following Bijan Robinson in motion here or we could just point out the obvious - they have 10 players on defense. Here, Next Gen is trying to track your defense and they can’t find your 11th player:
They think Dallas is running a 3-2-5, which is definitely only 10 guys. In fact, they have no idea what coverage to assign here. So, Mike Zimmer said that in all the personnel grouping changes they didn’t get the 11th guy on. So, I went back to look at the first 3rd down vs 11 personnel and the player missing here is Israel Mukuamu. That would then stand to reason that perhaps he would be the guy running with Bijan, but that is a pure guess. Either way, get 11 out there and then we can look at this play seriously. A horrid look on a 3rd down in the 1st Quarter.
Which leads to the very next play…
1Q - 5:27 - 1-9-DAL 9 - K.Cousins pass short left to D.London for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
This one is just beautiful offense and a clue as to how the Cowboys should be attacking. You know you are probably getting man coverage in the red zone and so you run Drake London out of the slot, cross the two which knocks the corner’s leverage and then a perfect back shoulder fade throw and Trevon Diggs has no chance. Gorgeous execution and Dallas didn’t really do much wrong here (aside from allowing a free 1st down because 10 men and stuff).
2Q - 8:34 - 4-3-DAL 36 - K.Cousins pass short right to D.Mooney for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
This is fourth down and the Cowboys are going to get their hand burned here. We mentioned last week that Zimmer is really pushing the chips in and gambling more and here it is the Cover 0 blitz. That means a 6-man blitz, 5 receivers vs 5 DBs and zero safeties to help. Zero.
Now, when you send six, the belief is that the QB will have no time and will just have to get the ball out. But, Atlanta has a great call on which is 3-man bunch where the inside man - Darnell Mooney – runs the wheel behind the two outside guys running in-routes to cause a traffic jam. Does Dallas have a plan for this? I might recommend that they try to “Banjo” this:
If they did, Carson might peel off as the outside guy and handle Mooney. If that isn’t on, then Diggs better go over the traffic and get back to Mooney on the other side as soon as he can. Instead, he seems to be trying for a penalty call? I think Diggs has to make a better effort and it appears Zimmer does, too.
He wasn’t pleased.
Last one here.
3Q - 10:29 - 2-11-DAL 11 - K.Cousins pass short right to R.McCloud for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
I think my takeaways here are that this is against Cover 3 and Ray-Ray McCloud and Kyle Pitts cross eachother at the goal-line and Donovan Wilson is the deep safety. I just want to say all of these concepts are from OC Zac Robinson (yes, the former Oklahoma State QB) who served for five seasons under Sean McVay. Every single thing he tried looked great. And this route did, too. Kirk Cousins has to think he died and went to heaven to have this many open guys for touchdowns.
SPLASH PLAYS
Dallas had a fair number of positive plays and this is easily one of the better defensive days we have seen from them recently, but I just don’t think Atlanta was ever very close to feeling like they were struggling.
Season Leaderboard - Splash Plays
So, there you go. A little shorter than normal, but if you missed the Mingo piece, you should check it out here.
We are on to Philadelphia.