To adapt or not adapt, that is the question. This Shakespearean-like conundrum torments all NFL coaches but in Week 16 of the NFL season, it’s likely especially applicable to the Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.
On one hand, Quinn has the league’s No. 5 defense, by EPA standards. With depth in the secondary and strength in man coverage, he has a defense built to play nickel personnel, heavy man and single high safety coverage. Based on their ranking, it’s served him well.
On the other hand, Quinn is staring down an elite offense in Miami. It’s an offense that’s built to destroy man coverage, spread out defenses, and catch would-be tacklers out of position. It’s an offense that can win a number of ways which could mean following their season-long trends or following Buffalo’s blueprint that recently embarrassed the Cowboys.