Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys pass rush comes alive in Greg Hardy's first game

Published Oct. 12, 2015 1:21 a.m. ET

foxsports

It's not easy to find too many positives from the Dallas Cowboys' 30-6 Week 5 loss to the New England Patriots, but the defense's ability to get to Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was certainly impressive.

The Cowboys finished the game with five total team sacks after compiling just 6.0 through the first four games of the season.

Defensive end Greg Hardy and middle linebacker Rolando McClain were both playing in their first regular season game, after serving separate four-game suspensions, and they helped the pass rush get going early. Hardy finished with 2.0 sacks and a forced fumble and McClain got 1.0 sack himself.

Defensive linemen Tyrone Crawford and Jack Crawford finished with the team's other 2.0 sacks. The Cowboys finished the game with eight total pressures on Brady. The Patriots had allowed just 6.0 sacks all season prior to allowing the 5.0 against the Cowboys in Week 5.

The Cowboys brought pressure and forced the Patriots to finish just 3-of-10 on third down conversions. If the offense can play their part, and keep the defense from being on the field all game, the Cowboys can get this thing turned around via their talented front seven on defense.