2026 Season | Week 2 | Gameday Chatter Thread | Redskins @ Cowboys | 09/20/2026

[Simpleton]

Run defense was really poor

There's a difference between traditional run defense and stopping RB's compared to a QB scrambling or hitting RPO's.

In my opinion you have to kind of back that production out since it's a different skill/responsibility, or at least the responsibility is shifted to different players. Excluding the QB runs we've given up about 4.4 YPC this year, which definitely isn't great but it's not terrible either.

The stats look way worse because we've given up about 120 yards rushing to Dart and Daniels.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

We were able to run last year. What happened??

Honestly the blocking hasn't been great. I don't think we have threatened the outside run nearly enough. I think on the read option teams know that Dak absolutely will not keep it and run. And honestly I think Jevonte has been a little slow to the hole and things are closing up before he is getting there. You know a lot of a run game is about timing. A RB is too fast to the hole and he gets there before it opens up. A runner is too patient and the hole closes before he gets there. The run game just feels out of sync right now but I fully expect it to get better. I think people need to take a breath. It's two games. And at least right now we are 1-1.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

There's a difference between traditional run defense and stopping RB's compared to a QB scrambling or hitting RPO's.

In my opinion you have to kind of back that production out since it's a different skill/responsibility, or at least the responsibility is shifted to different players. Excluding the QB runs we've given up about 4.4 YPC this year, which definitely isn't great but it's not terrible either.

The stats look way worse because we've given up about 120 yards rushing to Dart and Daniels.

Yep, it's all about figuring out how to keep the QB in the pocket. Their running is what is absolutely killing us. And the truth is the pressure is getting to the QB but the QB's are just avoiding it right now. Which may have something to do with the discipline of our rush right now. I don't know. But I don't see nearly the skill level issue that some are claiming.

 

[Cotton]

I'm okay with how the defense performed. It's what I wanted. Improvement. They also played their asses off. They showed a marked difference from game 1, so I'm not sure you can ask for much more considering the new DC, new scheme, and the 5th youngest starting defense in the NFL. If they hadn't played as hard, I'm probably closer to Geng's outlook, but they did. So, the stuff like tackling, et al, can be fixed with coaching (I hope).

 

[Cowboysrock55]

I'm okay with how the defense performed. It's what I wanted. Improvement. They also played their asses off. They showed a marked difference from game 1, so I'm not sure you can ask for much more considering the new DC, new scheme, and the 5th youngest starting defense in the NFL. If they hadn't played as hard, I probably closer to Geng's outlook, but they did. So, the stuff like tackling, et al, can be fixed with coaching (I hope).

The good news is some of the rookies are giving us some of the best performances. Lawrence, Downs and Barham showed big improvement from week 1 and you expect guys like that to continue to grow. Week 1 I really didn't look at anyone on defense and go, he had a good game. Week 2 I at least can point to some names and say, that guy played well. That's improvement.