It took one game for Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer to get me on board the hype train: He might really prove to be an upgrade for a defense that led the league in EPA/play allowed from 2021-2023, lead the NFL in takeaways in consecutive years, and featured one of the most ferocious pass rushes in the game.
On Sunday's win over the Cleveland Browns, Zimmer's defense hit Deshaun Watson 17 times, sacked him six times, and picked him off twice. And anyone who tuned into the game knows there could've been more interceptions, something even rookie cornerback Caelen Carson admitted postgame.
But the Cowboys also held Browns starting running back Jerome Ford to 3.7 yards per attempt while recording six tackles for loss and successfully defending the run. The most impressive part of it all? They didn't have to load the box to slow down the Browns' rushing offense.
You see, even though Dan Quinn's defense were heavily criticized for how they did against the run, not everything was bad: The Cowboys were the 10th best defense per EPA/play against the run in 2023. They were 11th in rushing yards per game given up. However, they were one of the worst in success rate and yards per attempt allowed.
A big reason for the inconsistency had to do with the fact that Quinn's defense had to load the box to stop the run. If the Cowboys didn't have the numbers, things didn't pan out great for them. That's why they were fourth in the league in stacked box percentage, per Sports Info Solutions, while ranking only 27th in the league in light box percentage.
When the Cowboys did go light (six defenders or less), they were the third worst defense in rush success rate allowed.
Fortunately, their inability to stop the run from light box looks is changing under Zimmer, whose defense is much more versatile and therefore needs to tap into the light box world frequently to be able to use two-high safety coverages like Cover 2 and quarters. This is unlike Quinn, who primarily played Cover 1 and Cover 3 and could use safeties underneath for run support while sacrificing resources in the backend of the defense.
DeMarvion Overshown and Eric Kendricks are changing the game for the Cowboys
So why can Zimmer be effective with light box defensive looks when Quinn didn't? Scheme is a big reason why but mostly, as Week 1 proved, it's because Zimmer's defense has legit linebackers in it!
While Quinn was content with playing safety-turned-linebacker Markquese Bell in the box, Zimmer is leaning on Eric Kendricks, who has played middle linebacker for almost a decade in the NFL and the rising DeMarvion Overshown.
The below play is a perfect example of what I'm talking about. The Browns are facing first down and fifteen and decide to run a concept with a pulling right guard as a lead blocker. Overshown, the playside linebacker, is the force player and immediately identifies the pulling lineman. He attacks the guard's outside shoulder and sets the edge successfully to force No. 34 back inside.
Meanwhile, Kendricks (backside LB) does a great job playing patiently. As he flows with the Browns offensive line, he stacks his gap before pulling the trigger to make the tackle as he watches for a cutback. With a light box look, this is highly important because the Cowboys have a numbers disadvantage. Once he reads his key, he flies to the ballcarrier with ease to clean up after Overshown's big play setting the edge.
This is a simple play, but it shows the Cowboys are now well equipped to play the run with only six defenders in the box. This allows Dallas to be much more multiple in their coverages. Playing with two safeties up high means the team can also help cornerbacks like Caelen Carson in coverage, who was making a start as a fifth-round rookie and would've probably had a bad game had he been put on an island playing Cover 1 again and again.
At the end of the day, Quinn did a great job running the Cowboys defense. But this is the kind of stuff the team couldn't really do during his time commanding the unit and the fact that Zimmer's new-look defense is already yielding early returns is a huge positive. Who knows if the Cowboys defense will have better overall stats than it did under Quinn, but it sure as heck will be more complete and sound.
