Momentum is real, even if it’s difficult or impossible to quantify. It doesn’t carry from one game to the next, when a team’s on a winning streak or losing streak, because each game is it’s own encapsulated product. Teams can certainly feel more or less confident as a streak grows, but a week of preparation has a tangible impact. Within games though, momentum is real and swings generally happen thanks to turnovers where a team is close to scoring but suddenly loses possession or is backed up on their side of the field and the opposition is immediately in scoring range.
That’s what makes this the one stat above all others that defines just what Dan Quinn’s defense with the 2021 Dallas Cowboys have accomplished. They have been able to quash momentum, consistently.
The Cowboys lead the league in interceptions now with 23 on the season, and are tied for the league lead in forced turnovers at 31, sharing the distinction with Matt Eberflus’ Indianapolis Colts. They are the first team since the 2007 San Diego Chargers (now L.A.) with a player who has 10 or more sacks (Shawne Merriman – Micah Parsons) and a player with 10 or more interceptions (Antonio Cromartie – Trevon Diggs).
For the first time since 1994, yes during one of the NFL’s best title runs, they’ve forced four or more turnovers in three straight contests. After winning a road game for the third-straight week for the first time since 1969, they are now 6-2 on the season and have allowed 20 points or less in six of those road games.
None of those amazing accomplishments exemplifies the impact the defense has had like this next one.
On the last four occasions the Dallas offense has coughed up the football, turning it over to the opposition, the defense has immediately stood tall and declared “not today.” Dallas’ defense has turned around and taken the ball right back on four straight opportunities, matching giveaways with takeaways and refusing to allow momentum to be stripped.