Dallas Cowboys

Can the Dallas Cowboys Defense win a Super Bowl?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

As the Dallas Cowboys biggest weakness, can their bend but don’t break defense do enough to return America’s Team to Super Bowl glory?

The great Bear Bryant is credited to have once said: “Offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships.” If Bryant coached the Dallas Cowboys this year, maybe he would changed that famous quote to: “America’s Team sells tickets, but can their defense win a championship?”

With the 10-1 red hot Cowboys being being led by two rookies, quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott, the media focus has been mainly on Dallas’ offense. Their ability to win the battle of time of possession, which TeamRankings.com claims the Cowboys are ranked 2nd in the NFL with 32:32 per game, is seen by many as the team’s poor defense’s saving grace.

Yet, this Cowboys defensive unit has done it’s part to help Dallas sit atop the NFL standings, stepping up during key moments. Whether it be an interception in the end zone, a goal-line stand or a key play to force fourth down; Dallas’ defense seems to play big when pressed.

But injuries and an inconsistent pass rush has hurt this defense’s effectiveness. Currently, the Cowboys rank 21st in total defense. They are third in rushing defense, but a lowly 29th against the pass. And once again this season, they are struggling in getting both sacks (20 – T25th) and takeaways (10 – T26th).

So, the question is can the Cowboys win a Super Bowl ring with a below average defense? We look to recent history to find that answer.

Below you’ll find the regular season rankings for both total offense and defense for previous ten Super Bowl champions.

2015 – Denver Broncos
Regular Season Rankings – Offense: 16th – Defense: 1st

2014 – New England Patriots
Regular Season Rankings – Offense: 11th – Defense: 13th

2013 – Seattle Seahawks
Regular Season Rankings – Offense: 18th – Defense: 1st

2012 – Baltimore Ravens
Regular Season Rankings – Offense: 16th – Defense: 17th

2011 – New York Giants
Regular Season Rankings – Offense: 8th – Defense: 27th

2010 – Green Bay Packers
Regular Season Rankings – Offense: 9th – Defense: 5th

2009 – New Orleans Saints
Regular Season Rankings – Offense: 1st – Defense: 25th

2008 – Pittsburgh Steelers
Regular Season Rankings – Offense: 22nd – Defense: 1st

2007 – New York Giants
Regular Season Rankings – Offense: 16th – Defense: 7th

2006 – Indianapolis Colts
Regular Season Rankings – Offense: 3rd – Defense: 21st

So what can we extrapolate from the above information? Does defense actually win championships? In the last ten years, the Super Bowl champion possessed the league’s top defense in the regular season a total of just three times. Five out of the ten times, the team’s offense actually outranked the defense. Lastly, half of the above teams won a ring despite their defensive unit ranking 13th in the regular season or worse.

How do the current Cowboys compare?

2016 -Dallas Cowboys
Regular Season Rankings – Offense: 5th – Defense: 21st

The Cowboys currently possess better rankings than the 2011 Giants and are very similar to the 2006 Colts. So I believe the answer is a “yes”. Recent history tells us the Cowboys are fully capable of winning a Super Bowl with their defense. It actually happens more than one might think.