The concept of bend-but-don’t-break defense is back in style with the Cowboys — emphasis on the “bend” part.
Under new defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin and his right-hand man Rod Marinelli, Dallas is giving up yards by the acre but not a lot of points. The Cowboys also are forcing turnovers in bunches, which is a big reason why they enter Sunday’s game at the Lions 4-3, first in the NFC East and riding high in the confidence department.
Jerry Jones’ decision to bring in the 73-year-old Kiffin to replace Rob Ryan drew snickers last winter but is looking like a rare smart move by the Dallas owner — at least so far. Though the Cowboys rank just 29th in the NFL in yards allowed, they’re a respectable 15th in points allowed and eighth in turnover margin at plus-5.
Those are typical numbers for the Cover 2 scheme that was Kiffin’s trademark when he was running the Buccaneers’ defense. Zone pass coverage without a lot of blitzing is the basis of Cover 2, but the hope is that a strong pass rush and turnovers will make up for all the yards it typically allows.
If that sounds familiar, it pretty much describes the Dallas defense in Kiffin’s first year.
The Cowboys have given up 400 or more yards in four of their first seven games, including 500-plus yards in consecutive losses to the Chargers and Broncos, but they’ve also forced at least one turnover in all but one contest.
The Giants know the difference that can make in an outcome all too well after being victimized for six turnovers in a season-opening road loss to Dallas, and the Eagles also can testify after coughing up the ball three times in a 17-3 Cowboys victory in Philadelphia last week.
With more than half the schedule left to play, the Cowboys already have one fewer forced turnover with Kiffin in charge (15) than they did all last season under Ryan (16).
Thanks to a weak division and the Tony Romo-led offense managing to keep its own turnover total uncharacteristically low, the result is sole possession of first place and, more importantly, a 3-0 record in the East.
What makes the defensive turnaround under Kiffin and Marinelli even more impressive is that they’re doing it despite switching to a 4-3 and despite the Cowboys’ annual deluge of injuries on that side of the ball.
Two critical pieces of the defensive line, Anthony Spencer and Jay Ratliff, have played in one game combined this season due to injury, and Ratliff was waived last week after Jones ran out of patience with his recovery.
Pro Bowl pass rusher DeMarcus Ware also has been sidelined by a quadriceps injury and isn’t expected to play Sunday, and the secondary hasn’t been able to field the same lineup most of the season due to various bruises, breaks and tears.
But rising-star linebacker Sean Lee and a cast of no-name replacements along the defensive line are getting it done. Raise your hand if Jason Hatcher and George Selvie were familiar names before this season, yet the two have combined for 11 sacks through the first seven games.
The Lions don’t turn the ball over much (just eight times in seven games, including only one in the past three contests combined), and newly healthy Calvin Johnson will test Dallas’ ability to protect the end zone after his nine-catch, 155-yard, two-TD display against the Bengals last week.
But with Kiffin’s system continuing to defy the skeptics, don’t be surprised when Dallas finds a way to survive.
PICK: Cowboys, 30-21