Four Interceptions By Mike Zimmer’s Defense: Victories And Improvements.

Four Interceptions By Mike Zimmer’s Defense: Victories And Improvements.

In general, losing is difficult to accept. Fortunately, though, preseason defeats don’t hurt as much as most. Still, the Cowboys’ defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Rams reveals a lot about the type of defense Mike Zimmer is building. And as of right now, it appears very nice.

Successes and Mistakes of Zimmer’s Defense
The Cowboys’ Defensive Line Played Well

This wasn’t a poor scene for the defense, even though they could have played more competitively at the line of scrimmage. They produced two sacks, demonstrating their ability to exert pressure on the quarterback. They also had other instances where they were just inches from Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett. The defense had miraculously held the Rams and Bennett to a respectable six points prior to Bennett’s game-winning touchdown. Zimmer ought to be pleased with what has been accomplished here.

Mike Zimmer: A Master of Disguise

The defensive secondary performed a fantastic job of staying in the proper spot and making plays, but much of their brilliance came from Bennett’s reckless errors on every other drive. His interceptions become monotonous if you keep doing them. Zimmer’s defense, though, cannot be disregarded. Interview after interview, he’s received praise for his ability to make room for interceptions to occur. In an interview, Brandin Cooks stated that Zimmer’s defense will “test pretty much every area of the offense.” When questioned about the defense, Jalen Brooks went so far as to remark that “their disguise now is insane.”

Maybe this is the mistake that Bennett made playing the Cowboys. It looked like the backs weren’t around, but they always stepped up just in time to make the play.

It’ll be big next week to spot who will step up to shape this defense into an even better machine. If the players who had amazing games this week repeat their success, it’ll speak loudly for those who doubt the Cowboys’ strength in the defense.

Late-Game Penalties Cost Zimmer’s Defense and the Cowboys

Each of the four picks that the Cowboys received came from a different player. Markquese Bell scored the first during the Rams’ second drive of the game. Just before halftime, second-year CB Eric Scott Jr. made the next one. The Rams’ second drive of the third quarter was a Julius Wood pick. And ultimately, prior to the game’s last Rams possession, rookie linebacker Brock Morgensen made a fourth interception. But the Rams attack should have had five interceptions instead of scores. What took place? The interception was reversed by a holding penalty against the Cowboys defense, giving the Rams the points they needed to mount a comeback.

What’s hurtful about the penalties is that until this point, the Cowboys’ defense had played a very clean game. Only one other penalty was called on the defense back in the second quarter. The other two penalties happened in the 4th quarter and resulted in the Rams’ offense getting to repeat a down and continue their drive. In crunch time, the goal is to play at peak. This is something Mike Zimmer still has to work on with these rookie players.

A majority of players during this time were third and fourth string guys. These mistakes would probably not have happened with the vets, but it is a concept to reiterate. Especially when it creates losses from games that should’ve been victories.

Read more on sportchannel.co.uk