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: 497 Total snaps, 34 Total Tackles, 5 TFL, 40 Pressures, 3 Sack)
Grade: 69.6
(2025 Stats: 311 Total snaps, 23 Total Tackles, 2 TFL, 11 Pressures, 0 Sacks, 1 PD)
Grade: 63.7
(2025 Stats: 534 Total snaps, 24 Total Tackles, 5 TFL, 36 Pressures, 3 Sacks)
Grade: 64.9
(2025 Stats: 89 Total snaps, 3 Total Tackle, 0 TFL, 1 Pressure, 0 Sacks)
Grade: 29.9
(2025 Stats [including Jets]: 490 Total snaps, 41 Total Tackles, 9 TFL, 40 Pressures, 2.5 Sacks, 3 FF)
Grade: 84.3
This week’s story for the Dallas defensive line lives between the guards. The Cowboys’ interior has been the steadiest part of the front seven, and the numbers back it up. Dallas are at 39% in Pass Rush Win Rate (14th) and 32% Run Stop Win Rate (6th), with Osa Odighizuwa showing up on the defensive tackle pass-rush leaderboard at 11% which ranks ninth and Quinnen Williams ranking 14th. That paints a clear objective for Kenny Clark, Odighizuwa, Williams, and the rotation to create havoc through the middle.
Detroit isn’t the vintage five-man bulldozer we’re used to, but there are pieces that are still dangerous, mostly on the edges, hence why the game has to go toward the guards for Dallas. Penei Sewell remains an All-Pro caliber tone-setter, he leads all tackles with a 95.7 PFF grade. Taylor Decker is a savvy technician opposite him, and rookie Tate Ratledge has flashed real pop in the run game even though his pass protection needs to catch up. ESPN’s trench board says the Lions are 28th in Pass Block Win Rate (55%) and 17th in Run Block Win Rate (71%), and that split matches the tape. They have the ability to push defenses on the ground, but protection cohesion has been up-and-down.
Injuries are the biggest variable for Detroit. Frank Ragnow’s attempted return from retirement ended when he failed a physical, so center remains unsettled. Graham Glasgow (knee) missed Thanksgiving but has returned to limited work, if he can’t go, Michael Niese is next up who has played only nine snaps this season. Christian Mahogany is on injured reserve, so Kayode Awosika has been manning left guard. On the outside, Decker (shoulder) has been listed as questionable and backup tight end Brock Wright, who’s filling in for Sam LaPorta who’s on IR, may miss this game.
Jared Goff has 25 passing touchdowns and only five interceptions. His 26 sacks taken this year ranks in the middle of the league but in the last three games has taken the fifth-most sacks. But it’s Jahmyr Gibbs that needs the most attention here. He ranks fourth among running backs with 1,019 rushing yards and ten rushing touchdowns, while...
