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: 574 Total snaps, 38 Total Tackles, 6 TFL, 43 Pressures, 3 Sack)
Grade: 66.8
(2025 Stats: 352 Total snaps, 23 Total Tackles, 2 TFL, 11 Pressures, 0 Sacks, 1 PD)
Grade: 59.0
(2025 Stats: 615 Total snaps, 30 Total Tackles, 6 TFL, 39 Pressures, 3 Sacks)
Grade: 64.4
(2025 Stats: 89 Total snaps, 3 Total Tackle, 0 TFL, 1 Pressure, 0 Sacks)
Grade: 29.9
(2025 Stats [including Jets]: 565 Total snaps, 48 Total Tackles, 11 TFL, 48 Pressures, 2.5 Sacks, 3 FF, 1 INT)
Grade: 86.5
The good news heading into this week is the Cowboys’ interior defenders have played pretty well this year, not perfect, but have been good. As a unit, the defensive line is at 39% in Pass Rush Win Rate (12th) and 32% Run Stop Win Rate (6th), so the plan is to push the middle of the pocket and make every Justin Herbert dropback feel crowded. Individually, the star power inside has been Quinnen Williams, who is number one in Run Stop Win Rate (46%) among inside defensive linemen, while Osa Odighizuwa is also top-10 (39%). Williams even charts third among defensive tackles in Pass Rush Win Rate (13%). That’s a fantastic blend to have upfront.
Los Angeles counters with a front that’s been shuffled more than Jim Harbaugh would like. Rashawn Slater is out for the year and on injured reserve (torn patellar tendon), Joe Alt has been placed on IR, and the offensive line ever since has been a headache for the coaching staff. Trey Pipkins has been managing an ankle, so keep an eye on his practice report this week.
The numbers say why Dallas should aim its punches straight up the gut, so the defensive tackles are very important this week. The Chargers’ Pass Block Win Rate is 54% (32nd) and Run Block Win Rate is 69% (31st), so it’s a bottom-of-the-league protection unit that’s papered over at times by quick passes and a heavy run mix. The one bright interior spot is Zion Johnson, who ranks second among all inside offensive linemen in Run Block Win Rate (81%), so expect L.A. to lean left on inside runs while using play-action to slow the Cowboys inside pass rush.
On the bookends, Jamaree Salyer has been holding up better than the emergency tackles they cycled through, but has given up one sack and nine pressures in his last three games. And if Pipkins does miss time then Trevor Penning will take over, but he’s drawn rough grades and pressure totals in the six games he played, giving up three sacks during his stretch of games.
Justin Herbert has thrown well and has done a lot to keep the...
