The Dallas Cowboys may have lost their third straight game in Philadelphia last week, but there were a number of things for Cowboys fan to be positive about. The Dallas defense played their unquestioned best game of the year to date, and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence was a key contributor.
Lawrence talked to media this week, and the Pro-Bowl defender answered questions about these improvements, the defensive scheme, his own health, and much more.
Watching the Cowboys play earlier in the season, it was clear Lawrence wasn’t able to play at full speed because of a knee issue, but with three sacks in the last four games, Lawrence is once again showing what he’s capable of when healthy. When asked about how he felt in Philadelphia, the former Boise St. Broncos responded,
“Yeah, I feel like my knee is progressing real well, and when you’re out there on the field you’re trying to give it your all. I think people overlook it or they just don’t care. So yeah I feel like this is one of my best games I’ve had this year.”
Dallas’ defense came back to life a week ago, and Lawrence’s three tackles for loss, one sack, and two quarterback hits were a crucial part of the revival. When asked about the group’s performance, Lawrence said,
“I feel like we’re taking some big huge steps, just understanding what coach wants out of us, understanding our plays and understanding each other and being able to bond a little more with each other and get after it. I feel like it’s coming together, molding together real well and getting better each and every day.”
Dallas entered Week 8 allowing a league worst 34.7 points per game, and were tied for a league low with just three turnovers generated.
The Cowboys were able to hold Wentz and company to just 16 offensive points, as another Philly touchdown came at the hands of a Ben DiNucci fumble return late in the game. As far as turnovers, Dallas was able to generate four takeaways, more than they had created in the previous seven games combined.
The Cowboys defensive scheme has been a hot topic this season, and appears the Dallas defenders are just now getting the hang of Mike Nolan’s notoriously-complex system.
“When you get a new defense, a new scheme, everything don’t just plug in and play,” Lawrence said. “It’s not a plug in and play type of defense. You have to study it, learn some different techniques and try to be your best at it. Some defenses are not for every defensive players. I think our coaching staff understands that and are trying to put us in the best position to make plays.”
One of the bright spots for the Cowboys this season, rookie CB Trevon Diggs, recorded two interceptions in Week 8, the first two of his career. Lawrence would compliment the young corner while discussing the teams comfort level with their scheme,
“We got some young guys playing good ball and they’re making the scheme come alive. Shoutout to Diggs, he’s a young guy but he’s playing hell of a football right now. We believe in him a lot.
The scheme’s opening up a lot for us and it’s also helping me make more plays too.”
The Dallas defense had a noticeable lack of effort on the field during a handful of games this season, but that wasn’t the case in the most recent outing. Lawrence was asked how the team can keep this fighting spirit going, and the veteran had this to say,
“You know, just being able to come out with a more serious demeanor and also being able to come out and put that fight on display, it meant a lot. It meant a lot to our team, it meant a lot to where we’re at and where we’re trying to go. We’ve just got to be able to keep that intensity every Sunday and be able to bring it every day throughout our work and our study.”
Week 8 may have been just one solid afternoon but it’s a building block and a beacon of hope for a Dallas defense that had absolutely no answers for opponents in weeks 2 through 7. Lawrence believes he and his fellow defenders can turn around this unit, even if it takes a while.
“You know, just with the guys that we have on our defense makes me believe whole-heartedly that I know we can be one of the best. Coming into the season I had high hopes for that, but you really don’t know the type of situation you’re in until you’re in it. We’re in it now, so we know what type of situation we’re in and what we have to do is keep our head down and keep digging. We’ll see the light one day.”
The Cowboys know they have a long way to go, and expectations have changed wildly as the team is now on their fourth QB in as many games.
Another huge test is coming up for Lawrence and the defense, as Ben Roethlisberger and the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Dallas Sunday.
[listicle id=657350][lawrence-newsletter]