Blogging The Boys
In this episode of Between the Lines we flip the attention to the defensive line, where chaos meets strategy. This is where the Cowboys’ games are won and lost so let’s dive in.
(2025 Stats: 416 Total snaps, 26 Total Tackles, 4 TFL, 33 Pressures, 2 Sack)
Grade: 66.2
(2025 Stats: 273 Total snaps, 19 Total Tackles, 2 TFL, 9 Pressures, 0 Sacks, 1 PD)
Grade: 62.8
(2025 Stats: 455 Total snaps, 23 Total Tackles, 5 TFL, 30 Pressures, 3 Sacks)
Grade: 64.3
(2025 Stats: 89 Total snaps, 3 Total Tackle, 0 TFL, 1 Pressure, 0 Sacks)
Grade: 29.9
(2025 Stats [including Jets]: 398 Total snaps, 36 Total Tackles, 8 TFL, 26 Pressures, 2.5 Sacks)
Grade: 83.8
By the numbers, the Cowboys’ front has surprising backbone. Dallas are at 32% in Run Stop Win Rate (7th) and 38% in Pass Rush Win Rate (18th), the exact combo you want when the opponent loves to live on schedule and lean on the ground game. Individually, Osa Odighizuwa shows up on the inside defensive line pass-rush leaderboard at 11% which ranks 14th, and his PFF card reads as a plus rusher with a 72.5 pass rush grade (22nd among defensive tackles). Kenny Clark’s PFF profile sits 69.6 in pass rush grade behind Odighizuwa, with steady pressure traits and ranks 34th. Then we have Quinnen Williams who was huge in Vegas. His 90.8 run defensive grade is the highest among all defensive tackles and his 47% run-stop win-rate is the most among all inside defensive linemen.
Philadelphia’s counter is the same thing it’s been for years, high-quality technique coached by Jeff Stoutland and a front that can pass off games without panicking. Even with Jason Kelce retired, the interior trio of Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, and Tyler Steen has kept the train mostly on the rails. The team win rates say the Eagles are mid-tier in Pass Block Win Rate (62%, 19th) but top-10 in Run Block Win Rate (72%, 10th). That tracks with their identity with heavy early-down runs and quick answers that prevent 3-techs from getting a clean runway. When it’s fourth-and-inches, the infamous “tush push” still lives on. ESPN recently noted Philly has converted it at roughly 96% on fourth-and-1 since 2022, which means any third-and-short feels like two downs to the sticks.
Some points to note here on team health. Lane Johnson just suffered a Lisfranc sprain and is expected to hit IR, sliding veteran Fred Johnson into the right-tackle chair. At center, Jurgens entered the concussion protocol this week, he returned to limited work this week, but if he’s not cleared, Brett Toth would snap. A backup at RT plus a center potentially returning from protocol is exactly where Dallas can stress communication on the line.
Team context helps frame the stakes. The Eagles run the ball a ton with a 49.7% run rate, second-most. But they are only...
