Blogging The Boys
How the Cowboys need to cover.
The Cowboys’ pressure-to-sack rate has consistently lagged this season and it’s reasonable to assume their poor coverage in the secondary is a big reason why. That’s because under Matt Eberflus, the Cowboys secondary has taken a zone-heavy approach. Cornerbacks have been asked to play off in coverage, providing large cushions thereby gifting short passes.
Eberflus’ scheme is a solid strategy for a standard bend-but-don’t-break defense, but not very fitting for a defense that’s producing a league-leading pressure rate. Details matter in tracking pressures, and in the case of the 2025 Cowboys, those details make the case for a specific scheme change.
Many times, the type of pressures the Cowboys are getting are categorized as quick pressures. They are situations in which pass rushers are beating their man early, thus impacting the quarterback within 2.5 seconds. With a 21.8% quick pressure rate, the Cowboys are top five in the NFL. In quick pressures without blitzing, Dallas ranks No. 2 in the NFL. In other words, the pass rush is getting there early but the secondary isn’t making opponents pay for it because they’re always in off coverage.
Given the high degree of quick pressures, Eberflus should have his cornerbacks in more press coverage situations. Suddenly those quick passes under duress won’t be so easy for opposing QBs to complete. Press coverage plus quick pressures should equal more sacks and more turnovers. It’s a complementary approach that will work in Dallas’ favor.
Granted, if the Cowboys play more odd man fronts and move more players into the box there will be less protection on the back half with safeties. More man press could also result in more big plays against the Cowboys. But since that’s happening already why not mix things up and try to produce big plays the other way as well?
The timing seems to be ideal, with DaRon Bland and Caelen Carson getting more comfortable, Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson returning to the field, and the rookie Shavon Revel ready for his debut, the Cowboys are locked and loaded to play more press man in the secondary.
The Cowboys cannot afford to picky about paying George Pickens.
If there’s one prospective 2026 NFL free agent who has substantially increased his value in the 2025 season, it’s Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens. Pickens has been outstanding for the Cowboys since coming over in the trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers after the 2025 NFL Draft, and he’s poised to get paid a lot of money on the open market…if he gets there.
The Cowboys obviously balked at a big-money contract for pass rusher Micah Parsons before the start of the 2025 season, but that’s not the mistake...
